NEWS photo Mike Waketietd FASHION DESIGNER Fyzal ‘Virani is 5 fast gaining recognition for hls sleek power sults, versatile separates and signature nubby tweeds In electrifying colo ‘combinations. ANAT ; England, WHILE. HIS career as a fashion designer has. taken him around the world, Fyzal Virani likes it best here at home. By Layne Christensen Fashion Reporter “When you live on the North Shore, you can't live anywhere else,’’ asserts the 33-year-old de- signer from his third-floor Gastown studio with its impressive view of the snow-capped peaks of -Grouse and Seymour mountains, in Kenya, educated in a. designer. for. both Valentino and. Lancetti in Rome and a textile and clothing designer in. Hong Kong and India, Virani made the move to set up shop in Vancouver 10 years ago. Basking in the glow of his European experience - and. his Born -design training at the’ prestigious Roya! College of Art in London, | Virani expected. success’ would be instantaneous. “Coming from Europe, I thought 1 would ‘find: work very easily,” he says. : ‘a didn't,” he adds - with a. laugh; "explaining that: after a tough period, his break: came in the form of a partner, and -finan- . cial backer. Seven years Jater the House of. Virani. boasts five collections a year, a couture fine,’ distribution across, North America — ‘‘from™ New York down to L.A. to Alaska’ to Bermuda’’:—— and an- nual sales of over $5 million. ' Locally, the Fyzal Virani ready-to-wear collection is avail- able at Devonshire Cream in Park Royal North, Parfait on Robson,- Ashia Mode on West 4th and Lesley’s on West 10th in Van- couver, While Virani is fast gaining local recognition for his steck power suits, versatile separates and signature nubby tweeds in electrifying color combinations, 50% to 60% of his sales are made south of the border, . “Americans love Canadian goods,”” he explains. ‘Our quality is better than theirs — quality and styling. European (fashion) is very expensive so we come in with a European look at a much cheaper price,”’ And. unlike other homegrown talents who can only hope to emulate the work of the fashion industry’s top stylemakers, Virani has. worked closely with the masters, Just 21 when he.went to work for Valetitino in Rome designing everything from: ‘ball; gowns to bathroom towels,’’ Virani got his first. taste -of. the international fashion ‘arend ‘and was soon after. snapped up by: Lanceiti and given the plum Position of head design- er. Virani’ says’: his exposure to the inner: workitigs of two of the world’s top ‘design houses taught him that ‘the fashion industry is not just making frocks’’. but, in- stead ‘is ‘‘a.. _ billion-dollar “business.” And. designing’ made-to- order frocks for. the rich and ‘famous . taught Virani something else. ‘When. you :do . dresses for. queens and princesses at $100,000 each, you see a blouse for. $29.99... (and) it doesn’ t ‘Teally. make sense ~: to you. “You lose perspective but at the same time you know that $29.99 does pay the bills. You. only do same NAME: Fyeut ¥ Vyzal Virani pein Kenya RESIDENCE: North Vancouver AGE: OCCUPAT TON: Women’s wear’ | designer : ‘ one dress for $100,000,"". And from queens of the authentic variety, the conversation turns. to queens of a different sort. “Listen, “Some. people: ‘are: Vogue Queens,”"® Virani: declares. © “They open Vogue . (magazine) and if Vogue says red is.in theyy::-' : _wear red. But those days are gone. - “Te think everybody wants ‘up- dated classics, iike a great navy. . ‘jacket. that you can wear and wear: and wear... wo aly “You want funky. ‘and: ‘at ‘the time you. want.. sophisticated « updated . classics. , And that’s. what. we're trying to + do. — give.a woman longevity and . a the same time make her feel she . is wonderful. ion parece The. .. price “of. separates : ‘from Virani’s impeccably tailored’ Fyzal Virani line for spring is reasonably priced from’ $115. for. a: 100% rayon short sarong- ~styled . skirt” to $335. for a‘:six-button ; double-_ breasted jacket in one‘ of: ‘Virani’s - Signature -boucle wool’ -tweeds, ° available ‘this spring ‘in: ‘pistachio . _or banana," _Virani’s haute couture line: isn’t: * quite so affordable. :: vu Though it accounts for: only al fraction of his business, he creates” “very } special gowns: for special’: ‘’people,”’ :in’ order ‘to, indulge his : passion for exquisite: fabrics’ and : “- elegant silhouettes. This way: he is able to offer: his’ _ See Deslener page 28 Asa “special, tribute, the North Shore News will publish a 1992 Baby Album. Proud: parents,” grandparents, aunts and uncles will want to make. sure their newest family 5 member | is new wording and picture. _ Publication date Wed. February 3 . Ad deadline: ‘Jues., January 26, oon , ws includ COST: A. Photo plus 5 lines of copy . | (1991 Album Participants)... 01... Be. Announcement _ (up. to. 5. lines of (c6py) $15 WIN A BABY PORTRAIT PACKAGE! Orie baby’ 's name will be randomly drawn from all ads submitted. The winning family will receive one 8x0 yand 2.5x7. colour photographs of their baby taken by a North Shore News Photographer. 1992 Baby Album» clip: -out and send in along with your baby's phato {o the North Shore News (address. below), i please write your baby’s name ¢ on the back of the photo. parents name:: address:. : baby’ s name: ‘date of birth: - phone: - t ca - please return photo in « enclosad self-addressed ‘stamped envelope . + | will pick-up photo at - the North Shore New's - offices Please make ‘cheques payable to North Shore Nows or send credit card number: , card type: im “number: expiry date: Sd sone at mnt eo WO aac net ae ‘really’ i":