Deux fm designer Anna Gilkerson dishes about her new summer collection and what her fall/winter 2010 collection has in store. Helping to change the design world by creating extraordinary and luxuriously environmentally friendly fabrics that are used to produce pieces of wearable and affordable clothes, Anna has a sense of style that has elevated her to the esteemed position of having showcased designs in the green room for New York Fashion Week to some of the most prestigious and influential editors in the fashion industry. Deux fm’s use of simple fabrics with hints of luxury and richness toys with the fabulous nature of vintage glamour from the 40s. But nothing feels old about these clothes as you slip into some of the most organic wools and eco-friendly cottons around.  Anna tells me proudly, “Sustainability is the foundation.”

Mateo Magazine: How is this year’s summer collection different from your past collections?
Anna Gilkerson:  This year I wanted to focus on more wearable summer items.  The colors are very light and desert-like. I chose to focus on sportswear while creating clothes that are jungle-inspired, with mesh, for example.

MM: Who is the Deux fm woman?
AG:  Deux fm is being worn by women who broadcast their style and ethics—women who wear fabrics made from sustainable methods.

MM: In the summer collection you used a lot of ruching techniques for dresses and bathing suits.
AG: I wanted to play with the jungle theme, and with textures. I ultimately wanted to create silhouettes based loosely on those textures.

MM: Designers seem to have muses or particular inspirations for their collections or designs.
AG: Fashion is encompassing. For certain seasons, I certainly do have them as well, and will follow them.  Inspiration could be an era or a point in time. Style is a piece of art—and even a park or person on the street could be inspiration. Textures from fabrics inspire me too.  I find a lot of inspiration in vintage fashion.  I enjoy taking a vintage piece and updating that piece in order to make it more modern.

MM: Currently you live in Nova Scotia, but you studied in Italy and worked in Montreal— all very different style cities.
AG: Italy has a great, innate sense of style.  The people just have this feeling for style, with an old-school taste. Nova Scotia has a great art, fashion, and music scene; it may be on the fringe, but I like it that way.

MM: Is it a challenge working with eco-friendly materials? You use merino wools and certified organic cotton blends but still manage to compete with high-end designers a la Stella McCartney.
AG: It is a challenge—perhaps more so because there are fewer options, and it is harder to get these products because they are environmentally friendly.

MM: The last time we spoke, you had just debuted you fall/winter collection for New York Fashion Week.
AG: Yes, it was a great experience, and they have asked me to come back.

MM: That’s great! What can be expected for your fall/winter collection?
AG: Many pieces are taking on a new direction. Plenty of day dresses. Coats and jackets. And there is an evening dress collection for fall/winter. I like to call this collection, “The Approachable Ready to Wear.”