Hali Sweet S/S 2010

With a thought-provocative presentation of abstract art and an homage to the Straight Edge movement, Hali Sweet of Lloydminter, Alberta would deliver a collection full of an intriguing combination of abstract patterns and color to audiences at Alberta Fashion Week.

The Hali Sweet XXX Collection would dare to go where many young designers fail to venture we find, to the land of confidence as well as complicated yet effortless cohesiveness. The characteristics of punks Straight Edge movement, teamed with the conviction of self expression would also remind audiences of the stimulating quality of not only the hardcore movement that refrained from the obsessions of todays youth such as drugs, sex and compulsive behavior, but would embrace the new wave post punk movement artists such as Gwen Stefani, Peaches, Santigold and M.I.A belong to.

As the world continues to strive to stay up-to-the-minute with information, constantly evolving to meet the fast rising standards of the world, Hali Sweet would not only slow things down but simultaneously quicken the pace as her collection hit the runway.

Bold patterns teamed with radiant materials would strut the runway in a combination of leggings and blissful summer outfits. The merging of tasteful mini skirts with opposite patterned shirts and one piece short suits with vibrant waist belts would show the young designers grasp on the conceptualization of the Spring/Summer Hali Sweet XXX collection.

For Calgary Fashion, the decision to display a collection full of spotted/wild patterned/multicolored material not only impressed the critics but left us electrified as models attacked the runway.

Floral designs teamed with dotted tights, leopard prints teamed with geometric patterned tube dresses and more would show a sense of maturity of thought from Hali Sweet. There was confidence in the collection and models glistened as they came down the runway, covered in exuberance, a characteristic the youth of today fail to take on fully. For accessories, models were  armored in multicolored bangles as if to say sunshine would be theirs come hell or high water even with dark provoking lipstick!

The collection would leave us thinking about what happened to the sweet nature of youth as many today strive to present themselves as older “grown up” beings, when the process of growth is stunted through societies oppression of youth who now look to reality television to dictate where their futures lie.

The Hali Sweet girl is a warrior, determined to stay true to beliefs, living her life to the soundtrack of the past as well as the present, growing steadily not quickly, pacing herself with now moments.

An impressive collection from Hali Sweet that not only caught the eye, but caught the mind and forced the ego to settle down a little bit, causing us to wonder about a time where freedom was truly embraced as opposed to judged by the mainstream.

Words by Kimberley Jev

Photos by  David Austin © 2009