All posts filed under: Canadian Designers

|FAT| 2009 Day 3

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I attended [FAT], Toronto Alternative Arts and Fashion Week, at the Distillery District last week. It was four days of music, art and fashion. It was a long week, so very long. I thought of bailing on many days of FAT, but I never want to miss any of the fashion shows. It’s always an internal battle. There are a lot of designers to get through. So most of my reviews will be brief using word association. I’ll expand on a collection when necessary. Each day will get it’s own post. For Day 3 you’ll notice a significant decrease in the quality of the photography. Well that’s because yours truly was taking the photos this day. My photographer, Paul Baik, was taking the day off. My picture are horrible, even more horrible than normal because I was using a Nikon S230 loaner which I’m not enjoying all that much. Don’t worry, Paul is back for Day 4. Day 3 |GUTTER| Unsettling. Shifting. Extreme. How do we survive in these volatile times? |FAT| explores art & …

|FAT| 2009 Day 2

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I attended [FAT], Toronto Alternative Arts and Fashion Week, at the Distillery District last week. It was four days of music, art and fashion. It was a long week, so very long. I thought of bailing on many days of FAT, but I never want to miss any of the fashion shows. It’s always an internal battle. There are a lot of designers to get through. So most of my reviews will be brief using word association. I’ll expand on a collection when necessary. Each day will get it’s own post. Amanda Rose – Felt like two collections as the second half of the show turned into jersey lingerie which I didn’t enjoy. I did enjoy the knits and linen pieces. Cherry Blossom – 80s, Rad Hourani, Rodarte, I really enjoyed the shredded leggings Romandin by Cristina Sabaiduc – Woven fabrics, rope and dresses with magnets and iron filings details, amazing! Deadly Nightshades – Cycling theme that fits with their girl gang. Best colour scheme, best use of man meat for the runway. Paper People …

|FAT| 2009 Day 1

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I attended [FAT], Toronto Alternative Arts and Fashion Week, at the Distillery District last week. It was four days of music, art and fashion. It was a long week, so very long. I thought of bailing on many days of FAT, but I never want to miss any of the fashion shows. It’s always an internal battle. There are a lot of designers to get through. So most of my reviews will be brief using word association. I’ll expand on a collection when necessary. Each day will get it’s own post. Day 1 |HOME| Designers and artists explore the place which is most familiar and known to us. The night looks at the meaning of home through culture and history, romance and beauty, power and subtlety, sexuality and domesticity. Fashion Whore – 50s, Vibrant prints, candy, nautical, baby doll dresses. Diepo – Boudoir, femme fatale, midriff, 40s, black, feminine Katrina Tuttle – houndstooth, party dresses, bubble hem, mix of textures with some unnecessary detail in places. The designer modeled in her own show, I liked …

Buy Design 2009 - Post Party Pictures by Raymund Galsim

Breaking Down The Buy Design Outfit

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I was very impressed with my Buy Design Outfit that I thought I should dedicate a post to it. This the best full body shot I have at the moment. I happen to love this photo also. The fur caplet is Bear. Yes, you read that right Bear. I don’t own it. It was rented from a great vintage shop call The Refinery (588 Markham St.). I enjoyed every second wearing that caplet. It also was the focal point of my outfit. The top is Greta Constantine. You can’t see the back, but it’s basically non-existent on this shirt. The leggings are Member’s Only. The shoes are Nine West, a Balenciaga knockoff I’m told. I lived in these sandals last summer and plan on doing the same this summer. Purple Clutch is YSL. The feathered headpiece is from KC Hats (998 Bathurst St). I never imagined that the headpiece would work without hair, but I was proven wrong in the studio and I left the studio with it in a bag. images: Raymund Galsim, Gail …

Belvedere vs Bustle Fall 2009 Bags

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Belvedere Vodka and Bustle Clothing collaborated during LG Fashion Week. Nine Canadian graffiti artists were tapped to create bags for Bustle’s Fall 09 collection, featuring the aesthetic of Belvedere’s new IX bottle. The bags are pretty cool and I thought I’d share them. I thought about linking to the new Belvedere product but the website offends my sensibilities so you’ll have to google it for yourself.

Butikofer Spring 2009 available at Fawn, Charlie and UPC

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The Butikofer Spring 2009 collection is now available at Fawn, UPC and Charlie in Toronto. The Butikofer label was established in 2007 and has been well received by both the Canadian fashion industry and media alike. Having received awards as the TFI [Toronto Fashion Incubator] New Label’s Competition Finalist and NOW Magazine Designer Grand Prize Winner Butikofer has become somewhat of a media darling. She has since then been featured in The Toronto Star, National Post, LouLou, Gloss magazine, Eye Weekly, NOW, the Metro, Canadian Teen Girl, Toronto Street Fashion, Rags and Mags, blog TO, Muted magazine and the Underground My favourite piece of the collection is the Snap Dress (pictured above). It comes in silk which is available at Fawn and stretch linen at UPC. Information about styles in the gallery. 1. Boyscout black, stretch linen and chino stretch linen. At Charlie and UPC. 2. Balance pant, raw black denim. At Fawn and UPC. 3 and 4. Snap dress in silk at Fawn. In stretch linen at UPC. 5. bomber dress, black stretch linen …

Toujuours by FRANKE available soon at Chasse Garde

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‘I Am’ Franke FW08 Fashion Film Video by Franke (fran.kee) – MySpace Video . A new Spring 2009 capsule collection by FRANKE will arrive later this month (April 2009) at Chasse Garde. This collection is exclusive to the store. Les rêves sont nécessaires à la vie Since I don’t have any photos of the collection yet, I thought you might like to see the FRANKE Fall 2008 fashion film. 'I Am' Franke FW08 Fashion Film

i want: Maximum Fringe Necklace by Norwegian Wood

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Maximum Fringe Necklace by Norwegian Wood I’m obsessing over the necklaces at Norwegian Wood along with the leggings and harnesses. I met Angie Johnson, the Montreal based designer during LG Fashion Week a few weeks ago. She also has a shop/gallery with partner Tyler called Headquarters. I wish I knew about this place when I was in Montreal. I’ve seen her designs on many of the Worn Journal girls out and about. This necklace though, man I love it. Lots of chains and fringe would make for great movement while dancing. I’m not sure if there are any shops in Toronto that are carrying Norwegian Wood yet. I know there was talk of a really great fitting shop being interested. She will be in town for The One of a Kind Show, so get down there and pick up some stuff.. ya, no. that’s not happening 🙁 image: etsy.com

Yes, it’s LG Fashion Week

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It’s that time again and LG Fashion Week, Fall Collections 2009 is upon us. I’m attending the upcoming shows. If any of you readers are attending, stop me and say Hi. Thursday March 19th Project Runway Canada Carlton Brown Women X Women Friday March 20th Evan Biddell You can see my coverage at blogTO’s Fashion Week Section.

Greta Constantine Ready to Wear – Fall 2009 – 2010

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The Greta Constantine Ready to Wear Fall 2009 – 2010 show as held at The Courthouse. I had been hearing good things from Kirk and Stephen for months. I got a look at the fabric swatches in the fall, but I never saw the collection. I would have to wait to see this so called amazing collection. So, I’ve been on pins and needles for months wondering what the boys will come up with. I was hearing about dresses named after people I know and how freaking stunning they are. There was some logistical problems getting into the venue due to all the people there. It’s an interesting venue but I heard if you didn’t have a seat you didn’t see anything. The room had high ceilings and it was a little dark. I was talking with one of the Holts crew and she likened the atmosphere to a Miu Miu show, which was very accurate. The runway was a problem too. There was a section where I was sitting that was wood and incredibly …

Project Runway Canada – geekigirl’s verdict on Jessica’s dress

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I haven’t blogged about PRC yet. I’m usually on Twitter doing the live posting thing with friends and that gets it out of my system. However, Project Runway Canada – Episode 6 had me interested. The winner would have their garment sold in Winners and said garment would be ready to be purchased the next day. Very interesting! Episode 6: Hope Springs Eternal Recap Guest Judge: Nicole Gouveia, WINNERS The designers are challenged to make a perfect spring dress for the Winners customer. The prize for this challenge could truly launch one designer’s career – the top design will be sold in select Winners stores across Canada. Iman leads the judging panel to declare who will win and who gets cut. The episode was hilarious as always, plenty of freakouts and fights. So, Jessica Biffi won and I went to Winners the next day to check out the goods. There wasn’t any black in my size so I opted for this periwinkle colour. Danielle says I’m wearing it over the wrong shoulder and that could …

Mark Fast Ready to Wear – Fall 2009 – 2010

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The power of video once again proves itself to me. I would have totally overlooked Mark Fast Ready to Wear 2009 – 2010 without seeing this video. The pictures of the collection on Style.com don’t do it justice. Mark Fast is a 27 year old Canadian born knitwear designer. He grew up outside the city of Winnipeg, in the countryside along a highway next to a forest. This minimal, peaceful lifestyle led him to wonder what life might be like beyond the familiar frontiers of Canada. Finally finding inspiration in London, Mark studied at Central Saint Martins for five years. He completed his BA there and went on to complete his MA in February 2008. Mark has also created knitwear for Bora Aksu, a collaboration that spanned three seasons. I’m always excited to hear about Canadians making it abroad. Sarah Nicole Prickett wrote a great article about Mark for the National Post.

Philip Sparks Ready to Wear – Fall 2009- 2010 Lookbook

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Philip Sparks Ready to Wear – Fall 2009- 2010 Lookbook Philip told me that his theme for fall was Peter and the Wolf. I thought it was an interesting concept. I had no idea that Philip would execute it to such perfection. I’m in love with this menswear collection. It’s the best Philip Sparks collection yet. The everything about this lookbook is perfection. The models, the backdrop, the clothing, the fur. Congratulations on such a wonderful collection Philip, I can’t wait to see this in March. images: Philip Sparks Fall 2009 | The Fashionisto.

Jeremy Laing Ready to Wear – Fall 2009 – 2010

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Jeremy Laing Ready to Wear – Fall 2009 – 2010. I’m a big fan of this collection The Jeremy Laing Fall 2009 video is what sealed the deal for me. Everything looks so good moving. The music selection is perfect. Things that I thought I didn’t like in print came to life in video. There is also a video of Jeremy backstage and he gives us more insight into the inspiration for the collection and it’s construction. images: style.com

Interior Design Show 2009 – Photo Roundup

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I attended the Interior Design Show 2009 with my photographer Paul Baik on Thursday for the opening night party/media preview and Saturday. I was really excited about this event because I had a photographer who knew what they were doing. My good friend Paul Baik is a graduate of Ryerson’s photography program. He’s also a Financial District combatant like myself. It would be nice not worrying about photos. He had a slick Nikon D3 that makes my little point and shoot look pathetic beyond belief. The Media room welcomes us with Veuve and media kits out the ying yang. There was so much to see and I’ve battled with myself as to how I want to present this. Do I do a massive post or break it up? I’ve decided to break it up. This post is an overview and you can use the two slideshows to see the photos. I will be posting about my favourite things from IDS all this week. Day 1 – Thursday Day 2 – Saturday All photos taken by …

Interior Design Show 2009 exhibit preview

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I will be attending the Interior Design Show for I want – I got. I’ll have my trusty photographer, Paul Baik with me. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s rare that I have a professional photographer at my disposal. I’m really looking forward to bringing you the scoop. Here are some of the exhibits I’m looking forward to this week. 1. Concept Spaces Five of Canada’s most innovative and inspiring design firms have been assembled, each of whom represent very different design disciplines – production and retail design; industrial design, luxury architecture, luxury residential interior design, and landscape architecture. Representing a combination of emerging and under the radar designers coupled with established design celebrities, the five selected firms share some things in common – innovation, inspiration and talent…and for you this February, they will each design and create a living space that reflects their own personal notion of good design, free of client demands or budget restrictions…we hope that you enjoy the trip. 2. LuxeHome LUXEHome represents the cutting edge in high end luxury …

i got: A CDN Spirit Down Jacket

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It was starting to get cold in Toronto and I needed a puffy down jacket. I have a lot of wool jackets that require way too many layers in the winter. I wanted a jacket that I could wear without a lot of layers. My ski jacket is down, but it’s not long enough. It happened to be Buy Local Week when I started to I decided that I would buy a Canadian made jacket. My choices were slim, Canada Goose or CDN Spirit. I decided on the Cdn Spirit because Canada Goose is just too expensive, double the price. I’m very, very happy with my purchase. The jacket is super warm and the fleece cuffs are a nice touch and keeps the wind from blowing up my sleeves. Cdn Spirit is carried by Sporting Life and Holly’s Fashions. I got mine at the Holly’s Fashion shop in the TD Centre. The picture isn’t the best because I’m pretty lazy right now and can’t be bothered to take one.