All posts filed under: Video

Juma Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

Prints haven’t scared off the Juma siblings and I’m so happy about that. I ranted and raved about the Spring Summer 2011 collection. Alia and Jamil decided to do a print heavy spring collection which was something new for them. Normally, Juma is associated with neutral colours and a lot of black. It was a great pairing of silhouettes and prints. The Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection continues to hunt east for its inspiration. Tibet, Thailand & Shezhen’s local tapestry work and wildlife shaped the vibrant colour and intricate designs the duo developed for the 2011 fall winter collection. To modernize the prints, they distorted and layered them as well as added gradients of colour including midnight blue, burnt corals, olive, tangerine, nude and black. The multicoloured knits were inspired by the thick, colourful wool blankets that mountain people wrap around themselves during the winter months in Tibet.(source: press release) It’s safe to say I loved this collection from Juma as much as spring summer. I want it all. I didn’t get any photos …

Rita Liefhebber Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

I have been kinda lukewarm to Rita Liefhebber‘s last two collections. Nothing has touched the enjoyment I received from the Spring Summer 2009 collection. It had it all, a super cool presentation space in the back of The Black Hoof and lots of great food. Rita Liefhebber Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 presentation at Jonathan+Olivia almost brought me back to that Spring Summer 2009 high. It was all about the tops and jackets for me anything else barely registered. I just loved the hand crafted splatter and tie-dye which add an artistic touch to minimalist clothing. The usual winter fabrics like wool, cashmere and mohair were used. Rita also jumped on the velvet trend that everyone in Toronto is doing.  The tie-dye velvet shirts are just beautiful. Rita’s inspiration was: “globular clusters, Gamma-ray bubbles, spheroid halo, local fluff”. The jackets were also standout pieces for me.  The collection has a very “model off duty” look to it. You can pair pieces with jeans and boots or dress it up with a jacket and heels. I …

Greta and Ezra Constantine Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

I had a little peek of a few items from the collection at various times prior to the show. First visit was jersey dresses and the second visit was the long melton wool kimono inspired jackets. There was talk of velvet in the studio as I swung the jacket over my shoulders. Greta in velvet, I thought, that could be interesting. Little did I know that velvet would be everywhere this Toronto Fashion Week. Kirk and I talked about the inspiration which included the Orient and a link between past and future.       The show was back at Audi. I like the venue but it’s shitty to take pictures in. Of course, torontolife.com captured the entire Greta Constantine Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection. They have a great photographer that got way better shots than me. The collection surprised me in a good way. It wasn’t just jersey dresses; Kirk and Stephen were dressing for a Canadian winter. Greta Constantine’s Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection is romantic and sultry. The colours were …

The Heart Truth Fashion Show Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

I made a last minute executive decision to skip The Heart Truth Fashion Show. I went to see Rita Liefhebber’s Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection at Jonathan+Olivia instead. I was more intrigued with what Rita would be producing for fall. Their PR team followed up with a link to the livestream feed if you are interested in checking out the action. Canadian celebrities strutted the catwalk tonight modeling one-of-a kind red dresses by top Canadian fashion designers to raise awareness about women’s risk for heart disease and stroke at the fourth annual Heart Truth Fashion Show. “We’re reaching Canadian women with this lifesaving message: it’s time to take charge of your heart health”, says Bobbe Wood, CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. “Make healthy lifestyle choices, monitor your cholesterol and blood pressure levels, and advocate for the care you need from your doctor. And to Canadian men, we say support the women you love to protect their heart health.” Andrea Martin wearing Farley Chatto, Arlene Dickinson wearing Izzy Camilleri, Bal Arneson …

Arthur Mendonça Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

Arthur Mendonça presented a very 70s Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 collection at the Trump Tower.  “Wow, there are a number of looks” is the first thing that popped into my head as I sat in my seat and skimmed the linesheet.   I knew Dean Davidson was one of Arthur’s collaborators but I had no idea that Liliput Hats were too.  The pairing was wonderful.  Everything worked so well together.  The makeup did the job of portraying the glamorous 70s à la Studio 54.  It was beautiful Dean’s jewellery centred on the bar shape and his signature brushed finish applied. They are minimal in style. Lilliput Hats created fedoras and lux turbans in velvet and sequined silk. Arthur often referenced with Tom Ford and YSL in the media but I think his homage to Denis Gagnon (black tux photo) is much more interesting to talk about. Now, I don’t know if it was done on purpose. It’s just the first thing that popped into my head when I saw the model walkout. I thought …

Mikhael Kale Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

A common complaint I hear about Mihkael Kale’s clothing is wearability. I should think that after four years people would understand that Mihkael designs are not for everyone and I don’t think he will be going in a mass direction anytime soon. There are many things I can’t wear due to design, shape or price. That doesn’t stop me from enjoying them aesthetically. I like niche designers, they keep things interesting. I’ve referred to Mihkael as a designer who can throw everything and the kitchen sink at something and make it look incredible. Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 featured crystal and pearl encrusted details, chain embroidered roses and sequined bodices. There was a lot of skin in Mikhael’s collection. You’d almost think it was a spring collection. Cutouts incorporated resembled bondage to me. Amazing there wasn’t one bare midriff in all the skin. Caucasian nude fabric played peak a boo with one oxblood dress with chain embroidered roses. At first glance I thought the fabric was flesh.  Thankfully there were some coats and pants to …

Mark Fast Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

Mark Fast returned to Canada and presented a tightly edited version of his London Fashion Week fall winter 2011 – 2012 collection. This was the first time he has presented a fashion show in Canada. The fall winter collection was the debut of his collaboration with Canadian leather retailer Danier. This was one of three shows presented at the Trump Tower Toronto which is still under construction. “Things are not what they seem to be, they are mysterious and disguised. I used the energy of the movement of a wolf’s vicious anger to be projected into the cuts of knitted pieces and leather garments. I am using merino wool and elastomeric mixes in the knitted dresses. I wanted to create a softer, warmer silhouette. I also used leathers to evoke the strictness and attitude of this women”. – Mark Fast (from press release) It was a total delight to see the knitwear wizard’s collection up close. The knits are so intricate and I loved the play on textures. Wool, alpacha, merino, mohair joined with nylon, …

Philip Sparks Fall Winter 2011 – 2012

The week before the official LG Fashion Week is always getting bigger and better. The Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 edition was packed with big names and a comeback. I dubbed the week Toronto Extended Fashion Week a few seasons back but it seems that Rogue Fashion Week has cemented itself as the name. I like it. Philip Sparks Fall Winter 2011 – 2012 kicked things off. Philip asked me participate in the show by taking photos of the action backstage and beyond. Olympus Canada sponsored the Philip Sparks fall winter 2011 – 2012 show so each insider was handed a new Olympus PEN E-PL2. (You can check out the photos on the Olympus Canada facebook page.) Regular readers know I’m a fan of the E-PL1 and it has taken many shots I’ve posted on this site. I was itching to play with the E-PL2. Philip Sparks fall winter was all about Canadian winter and activities like skating, skiing and tobogganing. The collection wasn’t new to me. I saw it in the various stages of …

I want – I got on Global TV News Hour 6pm, March 24, 2011

So, I thought I would let my readers know that I`ll be in a segment that will be featured on the Toronto edition of Global TV`s New Hour program at 6pm today, March 24, 2011. Check it out live if you can. I`ve heard they post it online afterwards so I`ll try to update this post with a link to that video. Cheers Anita UPDATE: Video is out