Hilary MacMillan is the Canadian designer of her fashion label of the same name. I’ve seen her numerous collections presented on the runway at various fashion weeks in Toronto for the last few years, having seen her most recent collection presented at Toronto Fashion Week in Yorkville earlier this year. I had the chance to chat with Hilary recently and got to know more about her and her collection, and it’s my pleasure to introduce you to her.
Hilary received her post-secondary education in political science and economics, and it wasn’t until she graduated that fashion design entered onto her radar. She enrolled in a design program at a small, independent school in Vancouver where she fell in love with the process of fashion design, from pattern drafting to garment construction, and all the technical and creative elements in between. Hilary moved back to Toronto after completing the program to open a jewellery store in the Queen West neighbourhood with her sister, and though she didn’t immediately jump into a career in fashion, she kept a hand in designing, making pieces for herself and for friends, and doing a little custom work for the occasional client on the side. After two years of co-managing the jewellery store and being constantly inspired by the street style and the art that the neighbourhood offered, Hilary decided it was time to get into fashion design full-time and started her first collection. She initially sold her pieces at the jewellery store (her sister continued to operate it for another three years), and, after a couple of seasons into designing, Hilary started wholesaling her clothing and selling at other retailers in Toronto.
Hilary’s latest collection is fun, colourful, and full of metallics. Inspiration for the collection struck Hilary while watching Marie Antoinette by Sofia Coppola on Netflix — the movie’s colour palette of pastel colours served as the jumping off point, with soft pinks and blues make up the majority of looks in the collection, grounded by pieces in neutral blacks and whites. As striking as the collection is on the runway, the pieces translate well off the runway for day-to-day wear, and together make up a cohesive collection that is accessible and can be mixed and matched to take the wearer from day to night, or work to weekend.
Hilary is busy working on her Spring/Summer 2019 collection, having already completed her Fall/Winter 2018 line — the latter of which I’m looking forward to seeing on the runway during fashion week next season. In the meantime, check out her current collection on her website at HilaryMacMillan.com.
Want more? Here’s what #WeWantToKnow about Hilary:
I can't start my morning without… coffee!
I have a weakness for… grande coconut milk lattes with an extra shot of espresso, and all of the Fenty Makeup.
Most people don't know that I… love true crime podcasts.
Currently reading… well I’m currently re-reading the classics, just finished 1984, and just started Wuthering Heights.
An important lesson I learned from a challenge I faced… mistakes happen, and nothing good comes out of beating yourself up about them. Just work hard and find the smoothest solution to fix your mistake.
I want… equal pay for equal work.
Thanks Hilary, for participating in #WeWantToKnow! Can’t wait to see your next collection on the runway!
Runway photos c/o Toronto Fashion Week
