Feature: Fashion designer Cassandra Burrell

Cassandra Burrell is beginning her journey as a fashion designer. She was born here on the East Coast, and discovered her love of fashion here. After completing her education, she decided moved to Vancouver to further explore setting up her fashion label, CassBurr Designs. This is one visit I would have loved to do in person, but since Cassandra is way over on the West Coast, it will have to wait! I was impatient to share her story and her designs with you because since I've discovered her, I just want to wear everything she makes. Her style is classy and classic, chic and effortless. We are not known for having a huge fashion design industry here in NB, but we do have fashion designers and I want to find them. Here is one that I think you should watch, and wear her stuff!

(Photos courtesy of Cassandra Burrell)

When/how did you become interested in fashion?

I have been interested in fashion since I can remember. I started sewing at a very young age at an afterschool program. I would run upstairs to the sewing room and make tube tops out of scraps of material I found. I was always interested in the construction of clothing and would take a garment apart at the seams to see what each piece looked like.

What made you decide to pursue it as a career?

There isn't anything else that makes me as happy as designing my own line!

What training do you have?

I went to a couple schools for Fashion including the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design however I learned the most on my own and through internships.

What's it been like setting up your own business?

It has been much different than I thought it would be, but also so much better than I imagined. It is a good thing I love this career as much as I do, since it takes up every hour of my day. When I go into stores, all I can think of is how they do their marketing and organize their merchandise. When I am online, I am taking notes on how to better my website. Setting up my own business has literally been a dream come true.

How do you get inspired for your designs?

I try to make clothing lines that fit into every woman's current wardrobe. I keep everything very neutral and clean cut. I am inspired by my friends, and I name each piece after a friend. I do my best to capture a little bit of their personality in the garment, while still keeping with the aesthetic of my brand.

Tell us about your most recent line.

My most recent line is called On The Rocks. It was inspired by one of the greatest friends I could ever ask for. You can dress a piece up so much that it loses its original elegance and simplicity, but you don't always need that extra twist or garnish, sometimes all you need is the main ingredient. On The Rocks is the basic pieces every woman needs in her wardrobe.

What are some of the challenges of being an up-and-coming fashion designer?

There are so many challenges of trying to be recognized as a fashion designer. I don’t even know where to start! The biggest challenge is just not giving up when all the little challenges happen.

What would you tell someone who was interested in going into fashion?

I would tell them that being only interested in fashion is probably not enough. You have to NEED to go into fashion, live for fashion, and jump in without looking back.

Where do you hope to be in 10 years?

I do not know yet. And I am completely okay with that!

Cassandra Burrell CassBurr Designs 604.349.4262 www.cassburrdesigns.com