Son of Baudette man wins Canada's Project Runway

By Adele Burk
Contributor

This statement took on a new meaning for Evan Biddell Nesmoe, the 24-year old son of local resident Davy Nesmoe, on Monday, December 17 when he was declared the winner of the inaugural season of Project Runway Canada. Biddell, a native of Saskatoon, Canada, was one of 12 Canadian designers selected for the competition that began months ago and the only designer with no formal design education.
As a child, Biddell was constantly drawing sketches of images in his imagination. It was not until he turned 14 that fashion design entered the picture. Biddell, as he is known in the fashion world, began sewing his own clothes at a time when he was unable to find clothes that would fit him due to being overweight. Friends started to ask him to sew clothes for them when they saw what he created. His passion grew from that point to become the hottest new name in the Canadian fashion world.
One of the highlights of the show for Biddell included winning an evening gown challenge as his dress was selected by a New York designer to be part of her collection around the world. The designer called Biddell a ‘world-class designer’ as every cent earned from the dress would go to the Keep A Child Alive Foundation benefitting African children with AIDS.
Biddell and two other finalists were given three months to create a collection of ten outfits that were presented at L’Oreal Fashion Week in Toronto. The inspiration for Biddell’s designs was ‘90s Saturday morning cartoon characters for a team of models. Designs ranged from a hot pants suit to a detailed evening gown to a casual leather hoodie with a touch of local flair. The hoodie was made from a buckskin pelt given to Biddell by a local uncle. Biddell even pointed out to people on the show where the bullet entered.
It never entered Biddell’s mind that he had a chance to win until he saw the audience’s reaction in Toronto. He felt his chances improved when he told the three judges this was the first collection he had ever created. Yet, it wasn’t until supermodel host Iman announced the verdict that Biddell realized he had accomplished the near impossible.
‘When Evan said he was going to try out for Project Runway Canada, we (family members) thought it would be nice for him to just make the show. Now, he’s won it. Who’d have thought he would win?,’ said Marilyn Sugden, Biddell’s aunt.
The show awarded him with a year-long retail mentorship with the Canadian store Winners, a professional portfolio photo shoot with hair and makeup done by L’Oreal Paris, a cover and feature spread in ELLE Canada, and, perhaps more importantly, $100,000 to start his own clothing line.
Biddell will set up his studio in Vancouver with hopes of opening a shop in London someday. He is already working on designs for the spring made with eco-friendly fabrics to go along with custom pieces.
Episodes of the series can be seen at Youtube.com.