CNN to feature Kelowna designer's unique hospital gowns

Kelowna fashion designer Raegan Hall is about to reach a global audience, with a little help from CNN.

"I never thought anyone would find out. I only thought my Facebook friends would know. Now I'm teeing up an interview with CNN on Friday," Hall told KelownaNow.

Hall is one of six designers who teamed up to create beautiful, unique and empowering hospital gowns for sick teenagers across the country.

“I would all of a sudden lose my breath thinking, 'what are kids going to go through in these', 'what are they going to celebrate in these and what are they going to have to endure?' That was very difficult."

It’s called the Ward + Robes Program, created by Rethink Canada in partnership with Starlight Children's Foundation Canada.

Krista Raspor, with Rethink Canada, came up with the idea.

"I'd spent a fair bit of time in the hospital as a teenager, so the insights came easily. I could identify and relate to that teen-specific issue of being in the hospital and came up with the idea."

Hall’s friend nominated her for the project when he found out they were looking for Canadian designers.

He thought Hall, who owns the local store Blonde, was the perfect fit for the program.

Since the age of five, she’s been sewing clothing. It used to be for Barbie’s, but now it’s for real people.

Her design was chosen by Jakob, the teenager that CNN has decided to profile. She will be speaking with Michaela Pereira on Headline News Friday morning about the journey this project has taken her on.

The pilot program saw about 100 gowns be designed and given to teenagers in Ottawa. The hope is for the project to go nationally and internationally one day.

This project was a way for Hall to step out of her own world and help teenagers feel confident in theirs, even if they’re battling a sickness.

Each hospital gown was individually hand dyed and the images were silkscreened onto them. Hall said she went with a military, festival and spirit animal vibe for her creations.

"I just tried to get my head around what a teenager would like because I'm 40. I had to think about what's cool and inspiring, what uplifting, what's rock and roll and what would appeal to these teenagers that are going through such a trying time."

She said even though it was an emotional project, it was something she loved being a part of, especially when she heard the teenagers kept picking her gowns.

"One guy admitted that he was excited to celebrate his birthday in the hospital in one of my robes, and I completely broke down. This is exactly why I did this."