Without doubt, Katelyn Woodburn’s Powell Street atelier in East Vancouver is a long way from the Mason Road farm where she used to ride horses in West Sechelt. The studio is super cool, with industrial styling, expansive windows, bold colours and a raised work platform.
But what really stands out as Woodburn opens the door to invite me inside is her skirt! At once short, flirty and infinitely wearable, the Runaway skirt is absolutely fantastic. I want one immediately, and as it turns out, the fashion world agrees with me.
The demand for Woodburn’s original equestrian-spirited designs under the label Street & Saddle, which she co-founded and co-designs with Tina Kam, is on the rise.
Born and raised on the Sunshine Coast, Woodburn met Kam just over a year ago in Langley – at a stable, naturally. Once they got to talking, Woodburn and Kam realized they shared a passion not only for horses, but for fashion.
“We thought there was room in the market for excellent riding gear,” Kam notes. Today, their original designs, including skirts, blazers, tops, shorts and scarves, offer a hybrid of street and equestrian-style, taking the concept of the well-outfitted rider to the next level.
“Generally, people are starting to pay more attention to what things are made of and how they are being made,” Woodburn notes. “People want ethically and sustainably produced fashion.”
Much of the clothing is based on functional riding apparel which is very technical in construction, but the sharp tailoring also appeals to a broader market. Woodburn and Kam’s love of history, tradition and craftsmanship is clear in the quality of the garments, which feature high-end fabrics, meticulous construction and detailing. One hundred per cent of the clothing is manufactured in Canada, with ninety per cent of it made in Vancouver.
An artist by nature, some of the clothing and scarves also feature Woodburn’s original illustrations.
“Putting artwork on the clothing makes it even more special,” Woodburn said. “We want pieces to be cherished rather than disposable.”
And Kam has taken to leather crafting, making the company’s stunning leather belts complete with vintage Italian hardware.
Woodburn and Kam were specially invited to debut their original line at Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) earlier this spring. For Woodburn, the honour was particularly sweet, as two Sunshine Coast friends from high school, Sian Slingerland and Sacha Kalman, modelled in the show, and one of the photographers, Jared Horst, is also from the Coast.
The duo’s attention has now shifted to production as they will begin wholesaling products in the fall. In the meantime, to meet demand, clothing and accessories can be ordered at streetandsaddle.com
