Designer Evan Biddell (shown) & photographer Joe Fuda’s Oz Studios – ever-changing fashion gallery, photo studio, contemporary boutique meets impromptu live art installation – tucked among well-curated vintage shops and pricey concept stores in Toronto’s hipster quaint/newly gentrified Ossington Village.

“Please don’t call me Canada’s Alexander McQueen. He’s so romantic, so much more luxurious and I’m a peasant (in comparison).” says fashion designer Evan Biddell,  2007 Project Runway Canada winner and Toronto Fashion Week’s new fave.

He’s been called Canada’s enfant terrible (ugh) or bad boy of fashion, and recently been compared to the late fashion icon Alexander McQueen. This is mainly because of his extraordinary shaped clothing, uncustomary fashion presentation and non-conformist mannerisms, but mostly it’s because his present Fall 2010 collection – with pieces tributed to the late McQueen – is  voluminously bulbous, somewhat experimental and seemingly evoked from “dreams and nightmares”, although Biddell says this “Prehistoric” collection is simply inspired by pop art, things in nature (like dinosaurs and reptiles) and the outdoors in general.

Most impressive is the cork-print fabric that actually is cork (sourced from Portugal – tree grows more) that is constructed into shorts and jackets with intricate fringe details, bent copper piping and chunky hardware. There are new wavish, hooded bodysuits, igor-like cocooned capelets  and Biddell’s (signature) sleek, billowy harem pants – one offs that are part sci-fi, part reptilian and part “living”.

Also remarkable is the fact that Biddell still makes every item that bears his name; everything is draped and therefore is technically one-of-a-kind – so any tiny sewing imperfection that you’re sure to find is compliments of the designer.

True, Biddell has a long way to go (and so does any designer for that matter) to be aptly compared to a legendary great; but we can all agree, Biddell included, that with each collection he is maturing as a designer, the clothes are becoming more ‘luxurious’ (or better constructed?) and his passion for “fashion” can even be considered ‘romantic’, in a way.

Evan Biddell is showing a new collection “Refined” at Alternative Arts & Fashion Week [FAT]. It’s sure to be all new and equally alternative. Stay tuned for the coverage!

Oz Boutique and Studios
134 Ossington Ave.
Toronto

http://ozstudios.ca/