A Moment With: Beaufille
Beaufille is a Canadian-based label made up of sister duo Chloe and Parris Gordon. In the decade that they’ve worked together, they’ve created a distinct aesthetic that has come to define their womenswear and jewellery.
There is a timeless sophistication that informs Beaufille’s collections, with their sculptural shapes and luxurious finishes—each piece stands alone as a beautiful marriage of art and craftsmanship.
VSP chats to Chloe and Parris about their sisterly bond, the Canadian fashion industry, and what defines their personal style. Shop Beaufille.
How does your relationship as sisters inform your work and process?
Our relationship as sisters is the foundation of our work/design process. Beaufille means handsome girl and is a play on opposites coming together to create unique harmony – essentially a metaphor of us working together. Being sisters and working together means there is a lot of ingrained trust and understanding of one another. We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and use that to our advantage in the dynamic of our work.
What are some design principles you have when putting together collections for Beaufille?
We want each piece we make to have an effortless sensibility about it, letting the design, craftsmanship, and materials speak for themselves. In designing, we focus on clean modern shapes infused with thoughtful, subtle details.
How do both your styles compare with one another, and how do they differ?
We have a similar taste and quality level in design, which grounds us but we have different personal expressions of style. Chloe is more masculine and dark in her personal style, while Parris is more feminine and music-inspired in her personal style.
What silhouettes are you personally drawn to for the new FW season?
Parris: In our FW20 collection, I am obsessed with our center knot tie bras (Nexus Bra)– wearing them over T-shirt’s, over dresses, or on their own with something high-waisted and a blazer over. As well as our Service Puff Sleeve jacket – the structure is incredible and a great example of Beaufille contrasts – sharp structured and tailored, but the details themselves are playful and feminine.
Chloe: I am personally drawn to the modular pieces in the collection. I am a creature of habit so I don’t stray too far away from my uniform. The Trio Wrap Dress, and Ensor Blouse are both relatively clean and simple in appearance, but the modular elements allow for versatility in styling which makes a piece worth investing in for me.
How does being Canadian-based designers set you apart, and were there any setbacks when you first started the line?
Being Canada-based sets you apart and can be a setback at the same time. If you are trying to make it in the mainstream industry as we are, it’s super tough being based in Toronto in terms of mainstream industry connections and opportunities – you have to fight for them and go out and get them, you won’t rub shoulders with a CFDA member in Starbucks here. Canada has also been a bit bleak in comparison to fashion capitals like New York, London, Paris where you see fashion everyday on the street—Canadians are more practical and less likely to invest in fashion trends. Although we do feel this is changing, there is so much unique talent in Canada. Practicality is a great base in design that we definitely infuse into our pieces as Canadian designers. At the same time, being based outside of the mainstream fashion industry keeps us focused. We feel it keeps us original and preserves our integrity. We live in a global world where it’s easier than ever before to travel when you need to and communicate with people all over the world instantly, which allows being based in Canada (or wherever) to be possible.
What is coming up for Beaufille in the near future?
Focusing on a direct-to-consumer aspect of our business, which is long overdue!
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Portrait by Renata Kaveh via Capsule98.com
Images courtesy of Beaufille
Words by Marlowe Granados