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>> Yso Southidara designs clothes for the millennium

by ALEXANDRA SPUNT

These days, local designer Yso Southidara is busy looking ahead to what will be worn next winter while most of us can't see the end of this one. A fashion figure to look out for in '99, he's currently planning his first fashion show, scheduled for the end of February.

Yso originally thought he'd study fine arts, specifically sculpture. However, due to encouragement from people who knew him, and given the fact that his mother is a seamstress, clothing design seemed like a natural choice. Since his graduation, he's been dabbling in different facets of the industry, including a stint in Paris. "I needed to build myself, collect experiences," he says.

Ripe and ready, he feels like now is a very exciting time to be getting out--given the new millennium and all. "There are things to be said, and I want to say them intelligently and imaginatively," he says.

Yso began selling his pieces this fall at the Revenge boutique on St-Denis--everything from shirts and pants to dresses and winter coats, ranging in price from $80 to $500. He also takes personal orders from people for special events (or just for fun)--he'll sit with you, talk about what you want, choose fabrics and the results will be worth the effort.

His creations are special--he likes to play with lines and asymmetry as well as juxtaposing fabrics that otherwise wouldn't be put together. However, don't assume that this means they're weird or unwearable. Yso is quick to point out that big-time designers have the luxury of working on a more conceptual level, really going to the extreme to get an idea across. Yso's clothing is truly ready to wear--if not by everyone, then by the girl who doesn't want to look like every other girl.

The concept for next month's show, which will be held at the Orange Studio on Mont-Royal, revolves around polarities, contrasting light and transparency with sombre colours and heavier fabrics. It will undoubtedly be more than just a feast for the eyes, though--it is a rare treat to find someone in this walk of life who speaks with such acuteness and sensitivity with regards to fashion and people in general.

When asked to wax philosophical on the role of fashion, blah, blah, blah... Yso spoke of individuality: "It'd be nice if everyone could have their own designer."

Yes, it would. Hey, Yso, could you be mine?