We were first introduced to The Deadly Nightshades at [FAT] during a screening of “A Night Out With the Deadly Nightshades” directed by George Browne. The slick film captured the free spirited bike gang doing what they do best – riding in style. But there’s so much more. Comprised of 6 designers, the Deadly Nightshades are out to spread the word about social responsibility in fashion and bring about change in the industry.
1. How did the Deadly Nightshades begin? Were you a collective of designers who loved bikes or a bike riding gang that decided to start a design collective?
The Deadly Nightshades degenerated from a design collective, kNOwdresscode, which was started as a promotional tool for new designers. The Deadly Nightshades continues on the same vein, but also tries to promote and participate in sustainable design projects. It just happens that bike culture is a big part of our lifestyle.
- Cat Essiambre, Niamh McManus agrees.
The bike gang aspect started last summer. We all choose bikes as an alternative form of transit. So soon enough summer resulted in a general desire to ride through the city in matching jean vests, blaring west side story or something equally ridiculous from a boom box.
– Laura Mensinga
2. What is your mandate or objective of the clothing and the film?
Our purpose and theme merge sustainable fashion design and sustainable transportation. That being said, we all have different mandates in life and in fashion, but the film was about bringing us all together to spread a message (and cause a scene...)
– Niamh McManus
The mandate of the film was to document a group of young new creative gals who are at the forefront of Green 2.0 - not like the enviros of the previous generation chaining themselves to whaling ships, but a group of friends who merge sustainable transportation with sustainable fashion in a fun, hip and inviting way. They live it!
- George Browne (Director)
3. How does each member of your collective contribute differently? (feel free to have fun with this question)
Irene Stickney aka Fierce Bambi...the connections
Cat Essiambre aka Rig Red...master of all party trades
Niamh McManus aka Namtron...spokesperson
Laura Mensinga aka Mzungu...the gate-keeper
Patty Youn aka Patty Milkshake...brings the naked
Meaghan Orlinski aka MEG OH!...sustainable police
4. What impact do you hope to have on the Canadian fashion scene?
As in our manifesto, our mission is to create awareness of responsible fashion without shoving it down people's throats. We want to make fashion accessible, and enjoy a shot of tequila along the way.
– Cat Essiambre
5. What triggered the idea of making this film?
I was originally going to do a simple fashion-show-on-wheels film for F.A.T. (Toronto's Alternative Fashion and Arts Week) as I am an avid cyclist and love fashion. But it needed to have a strong message about getting people out of their cars while documenting the sorry state of our wasteful, "disposable" clothing industry. After meeting the Deadly Nightshades it was obvious they should be the messengers.
- George Browne (Director)
6. What's your favourite bike route in Toronto? What is your main complaint about biking in Toronto?
Secret alleyways, which cannot be disclosed due to extreme secrecy.
– Patricia Youn
Beverley between College and Dundas! It's so smooth and wide and luxurious...and for me it's the home stretch.
- Niamh McManus
Side streets with big trees and no traffic, and going the wrong way on a one way.
– Cat Essiambre
When we were filming the scene from the movie "A Night Out With The Deadly Nightshades" with the Critical Mass folks, we rode down the middle of Bloor, College and University Streets. The sense of freedom, void of any gas guzzler interruptions, was heavenly. That has to rank as one of my favourite routes – at least when we stop traffic! -
- George Browne (Director)
7. Is your clothing line inspired or made with the idea of 'bike fashion' in mind?
Sometimes, if we are designing for ourselves. We are such a diverse design group, from women’s to costume to men’s. We are all recent graduates and have been formally trained to make what is needed. Clothes are clothes...but our ultimate goal is to produce looks that are hot! – functional or not. But heels on wheels are a must!
– Cat Essiambre
8. What differentiates the clothes you make from other Canadian designers?
We each do our own thing. We all have our own flair which I guess is that in it's own. We are all fresh, young and uncorporate in our methods and ideas of the industry. UNTAINTED.
– Cat Essiambre and Niamh McManus
9. What was the most fun aspect about making this film?
Beer.
– Cat Essiambre
Filming from a bike, filming the Deadly Nightshades (they are very fun), showing the film live at F.A.T. , and beer.
- George Browne (Director)
10. What do you love most about the Canadian fashion industry? What is it (if anything) that pisses you off?
It's defiantly an accessible market, which is nice for newcomers and the mainstream fashionable people are into trying new things and love to support local artists. What pisses me off? Hmmm...Ha-ha, I guess that would have to be the difficulty of obtaining sustainable materials and local production.
- Cat Essiambre
Also the pretension that surrounds fashion and bravado... but we are working on breaking through that.
– Niamh McManus
I think we have the ability to create positive change, look good and have fun in the process. It all goes hand in hand; you just need to approach it with the right attitude.
- Laura Mensinga
11. What is the next step?
Step 2
- Everybody