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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, July 17, 2015 | 26 Artscene "Connected to your Community" Designer Leandra Pepper's Bold line at XPosed show by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff The above dresses are part of Leandra Pepper's Pepper Couture Bold line, which was featured at Toronto's XPosed Fashion Show on June 21. This was Pepper's second time being featured at the show and the first time she was its head designer. Models, from left, are: Sarah Rivard, Graciela Martinez, Lauren Duguay, Rocci Maxwell, Christine Mao, Meredith Chasin, Jaime Morrison and Ella Chilton. | courtesy photo by Chung Ho Leung For Leandra Pepper, being a fashion designer isn't just about creating clothing; it's about empowering women. That's what she had in mind when designing her company Pepper Couture's latest line, Bold. "(I want) to show off their strengths and beauty when they're wearing my gowns," said the 22-year-old Oakville resident. So, when the opportunity came to raise awareness of women's rights and equality while showcasing her line at Toronto's XPosed Fashion Show in June, Pepper jumped on it. "Women's rights and equality have always been issues close to my heart. After speaking to people more in the past year about it, I realized that a lot of people do not think it is an issue that is worth talking about or fighting for," said Pepper. "This ignorance angered me. The fact that so many people, including some women, don't realize the struggles happening around the world regarding this issue inspired me to dedicate my line to raise awareness. "I knew I would have this massive platform at my disposal (more than 500 guests typically attend the XPosed Fashion Show), so I wanted to use it to make a difference instead of just using it to my own advantage." Pepper worked with the head videographer for XPosed to create a video to be screened before the start of her runway show. The video showcased the history of the women's rights movement, its present-day struggles around the world, and women who have made an impact on the world and act as role models to younger generations, explained Pepper. "It sparked a ton of interest in the crowd and I think proved to be a success," she noted. This was the second time Pepper showcased her designs at XPosed, held June 21 at Toronto's Daniels Spectrum, and the first as its head designer. In 2014, she was selected to be among 11 of the fashion industry's up-and-coming talents to showcase their works at XPosed, which features students and alumni from schools across Ontario. "After last year's show , (producer Rebecca King) approached me and said, `I'd love to work with you for the 2015 show.' And that's when she made me her head designer," said Pepper, who will stay on in her role for upcoming XPosed shows. Pepper was responsible for choosing this year's designers, photographers and hair and makeup artists, as well as conducting the model search. She also helped decide on the venue and how it should be set up, and managed the designers leading up to and during the show. "I was able to take it in stride. It was a lot of work, but I loved it," Pepper explained. "Even though I was in school for the year and I had a couple of side jobs... I looked at it as an opportunity to meet and talk to all these incredible people -- there's such talent out there in Ontario, it's amazing. It was a shame I could only pick 16 this year." Pepper's Bold line featured 10 outfits, eight made for the runway and then a gown for her and one for King. Lucy's Boutique in Oakville sponsored the jewelry for Pepper's runway show. The T.A. Blakelock alum has come a long way from taking a fashion course at the local high school and turning a hobby into a career. Winning gold at a Halton Skills Competition and then bronze at provincials helped Pepper decide to take her passion for fashion and make a livelihood of it. She later went on to graduate from George Brown's fashion design program in April 2014 and fast-tracked through its fashion business program last summer, completing it this April. "I love coming up with an idea, the month or so it takes for the design process and then bringing it to life and actually seeing it on a model or a customer -- it's just so fulfilling. You make them look amazing and then they feel great... you're inventing something and I find that exhilarating," said Pepper, who noted she gets in- Leandra Pepper spirations for her designs anywhere she can. "I keep a notepad by my bed. Sometimes I'll dream something and then have to write it down. Or I'll be on the street and see something I love and get inspired by that, whether it be architecture, a garment...." Pepper said it's the beauty and practicality of her designs that set them apart from others. "They're very sexy... but still classy," she explained. "It's not so couture you can't wear it out or wear it multiple times. You can wear them to different events, like a prom or a gala. And the fit is incredible... they're dresses made for real women, women with curves." As for her next goals, Pepper said she's excited to start creating next year's line for the XPosed show and getting her Pepper Couture website (www.peppercouture.ca) ready to launch by the end of the summer. For now, her past designs can be viewed on Facebook by searching Pepper Courture.