by Jenn McNaughton

After another busy and successful week at The Make Den, my final design became a reality! A simplistic sheath dress with a lavender chiffon flounce creates a dynamic and monochromatic evening dress.

During the beginning of the week, the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. days were strictly focused on finishing my dress. As Irene warned me, “The last 10% of the dress takes 80% of the time.” I wasn’t exactly sure what she meant until I experienced it first hand; the careful hand-tacking, drapery of the flounce, inside facings, and rolled edge, all added the finishing touches on my design, helping to create a beautiful work of art. The finished product was an exact result of what I pictured in the beginning week of the camp. I was extremely pleased and proud of what I had created, and extremely thankful of all the assistance and advice Irene provided me with.

Towards the end of the week, we focused on styling and shooting my dress. Thursday was my day to go out and find the perfect pair of shoes and accessories to complete the outfit. On Friday, our creativity and imagination came to life as we travelled to High Park in the early morning to catch images of myself modelling my dress in the soft lighting. We snapped over a hundred shots with the beautiful wilderness as our backdrop. The final shot however was the most interesting…as we thought it would be a great idea for me to jump in platform pumps. The end shot was absolutely perfect, capturing my jump and dress; however, it resulted in bloody knees and feet. Fashion Bootcamp you say? Literally, however it’s extremely funny to look back on now. All in all, the day was a blast! Irene and I spent the afternoon at a Starbucks nearby, selecting and editing photos to use for my portfolio (into fashion school).

These past two weeks have been one of the most amazing experiences! My fashion skills and knowledge have broadened and great opportunities have sprung. I have met some lovely, genuine people along the way; ones that I know I will keep in touch with and visit when I move to the city in September! I can’t thank Irene enough for all her help and encouragement. Couldn’t have done this without her. Xoxo b

WEEK 1: Jenn McNaughton leaves her small town for Toronto to attend the Make Den’s ‘Fashion Portfolio Camp‘

by Jenn McNaughton

WARNING: Big City Dreams Now Closer Than They Appear

Fashion has always been an extreme passion of mine since I was six years old. Drawing my own ridiculous, tacky designs and making my own – unique to say the least – fashion magazines were hobbies of mine at the time while other children would ride bikes, make mud baths and kill bugs. Today, fashion is one of the largest aspects of my life and my childhood habits have developed into a more realistic and sophisticated dream of mine; to be a fashion magazine editor.

Coming from Cobourg, ON (small town located about an hour from Toronto), where personal style and diversity lacks, I always knew I had to live in the city. It doesn’t matter if you’re from a small town or the big city; it’s the love of the dream that motivates people and pushes them to success. There are opportunities everywhere you look, and the streets are your main source of fashion inspiration. My daily doses of inspiration when at home are from fellow fashion bloggers such as: ihopeyourecomingwithme.tumblr.com,www.girlsofto.com, fifthsparrow.blogspot.com, www.fashionotes.com, and cupcakesandcashmere.com.

On Route to T.O

I travelled to Toronto on Sunday, July 3rd to reside in the city for two weeks while attending a Fashion Portfolio Camp at The Make Den. Irene Stickney, Fashion Designer and owner of The Make Den, runs this camp for students who are university or college bound and looking to build on their fashion portfolio for applications. Design and journalism have always been aspects of the fashion industry I’ve practiced ritually, but sewing was never a skill I had tried before. I was interested in this camp so that I would be able to learn how to sew, but also to develop a strong, creative garment for my application.

Step 1: Fashion Fundamentals

Earlier this week, we selected a dress my own design to create, and went shopping on Queen St. for some fabric. We chose a lovely lavender palette to work with, in both materials; chiffon and satin. Also this week, I learned the fundamentals of pattern drafting, basic sewing, and drawing fashion figures. I now have more appreciation for fashion designers, and am now thinking about designing my own line in the future. I have now successfully and ambitiously completed my first week at the Portfolio Camp, and as Irene says, “Jenn you’re already starting to look like a tailor!”

Stay tuned next week, to see the finished product and all of our hard work at The Make Den!

Jenn,
www.trendforecast.tumblr.com

Toronto Fashion Incubator’s Three-Part Series: FASHION + BUSINESS

Part 1: The Business of Getting Started (Tuesday, February

• An insider’s view of the fashion industry
• Developing a collection
• Buying seasons

Part 2: DIY Business Plan in 5 Easy Steps (Wednesday, March 15)

• Pricing your products
• Projecting cash flow
• Setting realistic sales goals

Part 3: Financing Your New or Growing Business (Tuesday, May 3)

• Financing options
• How to pitch your business plan to funders
• Pros & cons of financing options

Times: 5:30pm – Coffee & Networking | 6:00pm – Seminar Presentation

Toronto Fashion Incubator
285 Manitoba Drive, POD 3, Exhibition Place, Toronto

Cost: BUY ONE SEMINAR OR ALL THREE online >>
TFI Members: $35.00 + HST per seminar or register for ALL 3 for $90.00 + HST
Non-Members: $60.00 + HST per seminar or register for ALL 3 for $165.00 + HST

The Style Box Showroom, Toronto’s hot new Canadian-only designer showroom exclusive to celebrities, musicians, politicians and influential personalities, is now accepting applications for residency! Housed in the Toronto Fashion Incubator (www.fashionincubator.com), only 15 designers looking to promote their brand through affordable product placement will be granted a position.

Selected designers will also be given the opportunity to show their most elaborate pieces during the ultra-private TIFF ’09 Preview Event with a guest list restricted to the most influential film festival attendees, performers, media and high-profile stylists.

For designers interested in The Style Box Showroom, or more details on promotional management services for new and established Canadian designers, contact Amanda Brugel amanda@thestylebox.ca or Gail McInnes gail@thestylebox.ca.

FashionCan builds and manages online boutiques for independent Canadian designers. What a great low-cost option for designers to confidently hand over admin and tech duties to a company that has already built up a clientele of successful working designers such as House of Spy,Snoflake, Valerie Dumaine, etc…

The boutique sites are clean, easy to navigate and shop from!

Also, head to Fashioncan.com to find Canadian designers selling wares online >>

Do You Need Professional Office Space?

WORK… DESIGN… PLAY… BE INSPIRED… steps away from Liberty Village

We are having a studio tour at the Toronto Fashion Incubator on Monday, May 11th! Please join us anytime between 3 and 5pm to have all of your questions answered.

Affordable workspaces are available from only $275/mo.

Professional + creative environment with business support readily available
Close to TTC & GO Transit
Heritage site with renovated, modern interior
For more information contact:
tfi@fashionincubator.com or call – Nina (416) 971-7117 x 21 or Anne-Marie (416) 971-7117 x 31

The Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC) today announced the establishment of the FDCC DESIGNER Development Fund (FDDF) to assist aspiring Canadian designers at the early stages of their careers. The Fund, valued at $10,000, was announced at the FDCC Media “Love-In” hosted by Robin Kay, President of FDCC and Joseph Mimran, Chair of the FDCC.

“LG Fashion Week is dedicated to supporting emerging designers with a runway, market and access to media to launch their collections,” said Robin Kay. “Now, with this fund, we want to extend the potential to build their brand and assist the designers with the necessary tools to help them emerge in this new economy.”

The inaugural FDDF bursary will be awarded during Spring 2010 LG Fashion Week Beauty by L’Oreal Paris in October 2009. Each year, an independent panel will review submissions from designers and select one designer or design team as a recipient to support the marketing and production of their collection.

“For designers starting off in the industry, the FDDF bursary is a major stepping stone,” said Joseph Mimran. “It’s crucial that designers starting out have the support to accelerate their careers and flourish in Canada and internationally.”

Submission information will be available at www.lgfashionweek.ca in the coming months.

Toronto Fashion Incubartor Open House: April 2, 2009
Special Pricing until April 30, 2009

Known as a launching pad for only the best and the brightest, the TFI Resident Program is TFI’s premier membership program. With just 10 studios available, applicants must demonstrate outstanding creativity and marketing savvy, possess a team spirit, have adequate business financing in place and live in the city of Toronto.

• Starting at $275/month – Shared Day Studio with access to full production and sampling facilities 2.5 days/week
• Starting at $400/month – Private Studio with 24/7 access (perfect for any creative entrepreneur such as a jewellery designer, illustrator or publicist who does not need professional sewing machines)
• Starting at $500/month – Private Studio with 24/7 access to full production and sampling facilities (perfect for companies requiring use of sewing equipment such as a fashion designer or stylist)

Prices quoted above include base rent, utilities and TMI (taxes, maintenance and insurance).
Go to the TFI site for more info and to register >>