Eco-designer residing in qathet takes a bow

The qathet region has its fair share of talented artists. But there are some folks living humbly among us who, to the greater outside world, would be considered famous.

Eco-fashion and textile artist Wendy Van Riesen fits into that category. She launched Dahlia Drive in 2006 after going back to school at age 50. Her hand-painted original works have caught the attention of designer and Fluevog Shoes owner John Fluevog and former first lady of the United States Michelle Obama.

A majority of designers are encouraged to send their work to be manufactured overseas in order to cut down on cost. However, Van Riesen believes it was her unique experience as an older student and her time in the theatre world that inspired her to go her own way.

“I wanted to do something different than what most designers were being taught to do,” said Van Riesen. “I wanted to tell stories through cloth that was upcycled, hand-made and original.”

For years the eco-designer worked out of her studio in North Vancouver but made the move to qathet five years ago. 

“It's been great, we are really happy here,” said Van Riesen. “We [she and her husband] built my studio using the buildings on the property. I have a painting studio outside, too.”

Right now Van Riesen is busy in her studio creating works of art on upcycled curtain sheers for her final show, at the 2023 Circle Craft Holiday Market in Vancouver, from November 8 to 12.

“Once the fabric is gone, that’s it,” said Van Riesen. “I use sheer polyester curtains collected from the manufacturer's discarded roll ends. Then I sew blank structures upon which to print and paint colour, text and images.”

With brush and screens, Van Riesen paints or prints water-soluble dye onto paper, then pins the painting to the structure and heat presses the painting into the fibre. She states that, “every garment is upcycled, handmade and one of a kind.”

The now 68-year-old Van Riesen has collaborated with Haida artist Reg Davidson on a collection titled Yáahl Gúud Tsai (Ravens, Eagles, Polka Dots), which launched at Eco Fashion Week in 2016 with help from Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week’s Joleen Mitton and her mentored group of young Indigenous models. 

Retiring after 16 years of design and fabrication, the now world-renowned fashion icon said: “I invite past, current and future customers to take a bow with me by wearing one of their own Dahlia Drive pieces or arriving to dress up in one of the last hundred pieces.”

Van Riesen said now seemed like the right time to retire. The COVID-19 pandemic, a health scare, and cost and competition were also factors that made her take a step back and evaluate her priorities.

“I had hired all local sewers but lost them during the pandemic,” said Van Riesen. 

Born in California, she lost her mother at a young age and was sent to Canada to be raised. Van Riesen said she has felt a sense of loss and disconnection as a result of that early upheaval.

“I used a lot of skeleton images and I was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, and the reflections in water,” she added. “Most of my work was all about layering images that are opposite but still echo the same qualities.”

Van Riesen gives accolades to Eunoia fibre studio and gallery in Townsite Market that sells upcycled fashion. 

“I am grateful to my clients who, by supporting Dahlia Drive, have allowed me to develop an ethical art practice making beautiful clothing that illustrates stories of cultural significance.”

To see her creative process, go to vimeo.com/588076080.

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