Community Highlight: Fashion Designer Maddie Thompson

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Not many 13-year-olds can call themselves fashion designers, but Maddie Thompson of Niverville, Manitoba is not your average teenager. Just one year ago, she took to Instagram and direct messaged one of her favourite stores – Triple Flip – with a sketch of a gown she designed. Today, her designs are being sold in stores across Canada.

“At first I didn’t really know that I’d be working with [Triple Flip]. I just messaged them on Instagram, not thinking anything would happen,” Maddie says of her initial contact with the popular tween brand. She caught their attention, and after emailing back and forth, Maddie was asked to create a few original pieces for their summer collection.

It doesn’t take long to realize there’s something special about Maddie. Besides her fashion success, she has the poise of someone much older and a palpable enthusiasm for drawing and design. While adjusting her metallic statement necklace, Maddie says she’s been interested in fashion for as long as she can remember.

“Most of the age group that Triple Flip is going for is a bit younger than me, so I kind of have to think – when I was nine or ten what would I want to wear? But in this year’s trend.” It’s this type of thinking that sets Maddie apart, and helped her get three designs featured in their 2015 Back to School Collection.

“It’s more than just drawing something out and then making it,” Maddie says of the design process. “You have to think of ideas first, and then you draw it, and then you have to send it to [Triple Flip]. Then they have to make sure that it goes with the theme they’re going for.”

The next step is to choose the right colours and fabric to meet their combined vision. When something doesn’t work, Maddie has to redesign it – which normally happens about three or four times. "You’re going to see a lot of cut-outs and strappy designs," she hints about the upcoming spring line. While Maddie is seasons ahead of us, she recommends using Pinterest and Polyvore to stay on top of what's trending.

When she’s not dreaming up the next fashion trend, Maddie likes to draw, go on social media, and just be a regular 13-year-old. “My friends think it’s pretty cool,” Maddie says with a smile. “Some think it’s amazing, but a lot of them are kind of used to it by now.”

Maddie's dream job is to be a celebrity stylist, and she hopes to continue to work in fashion when she’s older. We couldn’t be prouder of this girl, and there’s no doubt in our mind that we’ll be seeing more big things from her.

You can see Maddie’s designs online here, and find them at the Triple Flip store in St. Vital Centre.

All pieces from Triple Flip:
Moto jacket, $110
Rainbow sweater, $65
Jeans, $65
Roxy boots, $60
Zipper bracelets, $3 each

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