Inspired By Love: The Story Behind Oneiro's Latest Collection
MODEL: BRIANNA DE GOOIJER AGENCY: STRAY MANAGEMENT MAKEUP: HOLLY DECKER
Recently I worked on a campaign shoot for the local Saskatoon Designer - Oneiro. I’m a long time fan of the cool aesthetic and designs of the jewelry, and I knew that this project would inspire me, and push me to create something uniquely beautiful.
Designer Alissa Ramage explained that the collections theme is Love, and poetically explains the power of love to illustrate the intention behind the collection.
“Love Is Where We Belong.
Love is what defines us. Love shapes us. Self love. Romantic love. Platonic love. Love comes in many forms. It is the meaning of our existence.
Our stories are formed by the theme of love. It is told through Heartbreak. Healing. Joy. Pain. Reverence. Solitude. Collectivity. The greatest power that we can yield is the ability to love.
Love Is Where We Belong. ”
MODEL: BRIANNA DE GOOIJER AGENCY: STRAY MANAGEMENT MAKEUP: HOLLY DECKER
Along with the collective meaning of love, Alissa wanted to include something a little closer to her heart. With that intention in mind she chose to include love of family into her new line and decided to investigate her family lineage. In the process, Alissa came across the beautiful love story of her Great Grandparents and used it as her muse. Below, I share with you the love story behind the stunning new collection.
A love story.
The summer of 1927 my Great Grandmother (Dorothy), met Jack (my great Grandfather) at an Ice Cream Parlor in Ignace Ontario. Jack was working at a pulp factory and they only hung out a couple of times but were never allowed to hang out alone. That fall, Jack moved away for work and wrote Dorothy all the time, even though her mom had to read all of the letters first. In 1929, Jack wrote to Dorothy’s mom asking for her hand in marriage. My Great Grandmother's words were “I jumped at the chance, a roof over my head, three meals a day and someone who cared about me!”
It was a frosty evening in December 1929 and Jack was nervously awaiting the arrival of the daily train from The Pas. “ Dorothy is on that train”, he happily reminded himself as he paced back and forth. “Why does the train have to be late today?” he muttered.
Jack and Dorothy had planned to be married at 7pm the following evening after Jack had completed his shift at the Company warehouse.
MODEL: BRIANNA DE GOOIJER AGENCY: STRAY MANAGEMENT MAKEUP: HOLLY DECKER
Finally, he heard a whistle and peered down the track trying to catch a glimpse of smoke from the steam locomotive. Dorothy sat in the passenger coach and wondered why she had consented to be married in Flin Flon. “Why couldn’t Jack have come to Lintlaw (where she lived).” she thought. But reason prevailed, as times were tough and jobs hard to find, she knew why she was the one who had to travel north.
It was dusk when Jack caught sight of the headlight on the engine rounding the curve at the crest of the hill. “At last!” he exclaimed as the train pulled up to the make-shift station He grinned and shouted, “Hello!” as he spied Dorothy waving from the train window, but the sound of grinding wheels drowned out his welcome.
The night of the wedding, Jack was preparing for the event in the small house he had built on Hill Street. He carefully laid his suit-coat and overcoat on his bed, donned his pants and shirt and reached for his tie. In his haste, he jerked the door of the closed cupboard open and upset the gas lamp, breaking the generator which went flying across the room onto the bed setting his suit-jacket, coat and mattress on fire. “Damn!” he thought as he stuck his head out the door and hollered for help.
MODEL: BRIANNA DE GOOIJER AGENCY: STRAY MANAGEMENT MAKEUP: HOLLY DECKER
Jack’s neighbor hearing his cry ran in, grabbed a blanket off the end of the burning bed and together they put out the blaze.
“My suit is ruined!” cried Jack. “How can I get married now? Stay here and make sure the fire is out while I tell Dorothy the wedding is off for today.”
Jack ran down the street to inform Reverend Burns of his dilemma and ask if the wedding could be held the following evening. Being assured that it was alright, he hurried to inform Dorothy of the change in plans.
When Jack arrived at the Richmond Hotel where Dorothy was staying, he was surprised to find she had already heard of the fire. They were discussing the situation when a stranger appeared in the open doorway and said to Jack, “I just heard about your sad plight, come with me.”
The stranger ushered Jack into his room on the bed was a suit, a coat-everything. “Take what you want,” he said to Jack, “only make sure you bring it back.”
“Great and thanks!” exclaimed Jack as he put on the suit coat. “Now to get the minster again,” he said as he flew out of the hotel on his way back to the church.
“Jack, I’m sorry but I have an English class at 9pm and there’s not enough time before and the class lasts until 10,” said Reverend Burns when Jack told him the wedding was on again. “Really I’m not supposed to marry anyone after 10, but I’ll stretch a point to do it!”
“Fine,” smiled Jack, “we’ll be on time,” and he headed out the door to tell Dorothy the good news.
At 10pm Jack and Dorothy stood in front of the minister ready to take their vows. “Dearly beloved we are gathered here…,” started Reverend Burns, when the door burst open and a couple who had just left English class stumbled in.
“Help please. Our wee one- she die in fire while we here,” sobbed the man, as the woman frantically clutched his arm.
“Take them into the bedroom,” Reverend Burns motioned to his wife. “I’ll be right in.”
“Jack-Dorothy, wait here while I find out what’s happened,” said Burns as he followed the couple.
After what seemed like an eternity, Reverend Burns came back into the room. “We’ll carry on now,” he said to a bewildered Jack and Dorothy. “The couple are calm now, but they have suffered a great loss. Their only child died when their house burned to the ground while they were at my English class,” he explained…”I now pronounce you man and wife,” ended Reverend Burns. “You may kiss your Bride.”
“I don’t think we will ever forget our wedding,” sighed Dorothy as they left the church arm in arm, their minds dwelling on the events of the past few hours.