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Artscene Fashion forward Sign up now for guitar, bass, drums, and piano OAKVILLE'S MUSIC STORE · TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2009 35 PHOTOS BY NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER FASHIONISTA: Oakville Trafalgar High School student Bethany Greer already has her sights set on becoming a runway designer. The 14-year-old takes a weekly fashion design class in Toronto to learn the tricks of the trade. Greer estimates she has created about 40 original pieces, including those modeled by her above. The student said her friends have already asked for their own creations. By Tina Depko OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF B ethany Greer has been making a fashion statement since she was in preschool. One of her most famous ensembles at that age involved a tutu. Now, at age 14, Greer is still playing dressup, but this time, she is incorporating her own designs. Fashion has become more than just a pastime for the Grade 9 Oakville Trafalgar High School student. "My dream is to become a fashion designer for runway, but if that doesn't happen, I definitely know I want to do something in fashion, whether it is fashion journalism or styling," she said. Greer has been taking sewing classes on Saturday mornings for the past year as part of a fashion design program for teens at Sew Be It Studio in Toronto. Each multi-week class focuses on a specific piece of clothing, such as pants, skirts, jackets and bodices. She wrapped up the pants course this fall, and is anticipating the bodice course this spring. Like many teenagers, Greer is fashion She said a valuable lesson she has picked obsessed. However, unlike most of her colup at the sewing school is learning how to leagues, she's very knowledgeable about high design clothing using pattern blocks. fashion. "What we do is make our measurements She reads Flare and Teen Vogue, and on a basic pattern block and then we decide if watches Fashion Television and shows like we want to make flare pants or skinny pants, The Hills and The City to see the latest looks. for example, and we adjust Her favourite designthe pattern for that," she "I think the best compliment ers are Karl Lagerfeld, said. who designs for Chanel, is when people ask me where Rodarte, Betsey Johnson, Greer tries to sew at and Marc Jacobs. least one night a week, I got my outfit and then I can Greer walked the runamidst a busy schedule of say I made it." way this October at the homework, socializing, Creative Sewing and field hockey and downhill Bethany Greer Aspiring fashion designer Needlework Festival in ski racing. Toronto with other memShe said she likes to use fabrics that give her designs something spe- bers of Sew Be It. She modeled three outfits, including a black sleeveless top and purple cial. "I love crinoline, raw silk and anything you skirt, a white top and a pink crinoline skirt, as can work with to add texture or volume," she well as one of her recycled creations. "It was a really neat experience modeling said. my clothing," she said. Greer also likes to recycle fabrics. She said she has learned a lot about the "At home, I do a lot of recycling, making old clothes into new outfits, which is really industry through observation, and as such, is trying to keep her options open. important to me," she said. "It is very difficult to become a runway designer, so costume designing would also be great," she said. Greer has set her sights on going to fashion school after graduating from high school, with hopes of attending the Ryerson University fashion program in Toronto, Parsons The New School for Design in New York City or the London College of Fashion in England. Greer's fashions have been noticed by students at her school, as well as around town. Several of her friends have also asked for their own one-of-a-kind pieces. "I think the best compliment is when people ask me where I got my outfit and then I can say I made it," she said. "I get asked not just by friends, but people on street, which is really cool. I love it." She said she takes great pride in her work, which she finds extremely rewarding. "The best part is when you finish something," she said. "It takes a long time to make a piece, so when you wear it for the first time, you feel so proud you made it instead of going out and buying it."