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/

On April 24, 2010, three or four of Canada’s hard-working fashion labels will compete for the title of the best new designer at the Elle Canada/TFI New Labels Gala, an annual event.

For 2010, the top five contenders are:

Paris Li

TFI resident designer. Collection of tunics, dresses and separates inspired by the Asian philosophy of elegance and beauty.
www.parisli.net

Jennifer Waters of House of Groves

House of Groves creates garments with grace and integrity, meant to become instant classics in a modern woman’s wardrobe – using eco-friendly fabrics, menswear tailoring and detailed construction.
www.houseofgrovesdesign.com
Follow Jennifer’s competition journey: http://jennifersletters.blogspot.com/

Justine Diener & Justine Poon of Diepo

Vintage lingerie inspired looks – Ryerson School of Fashion grads recently showed at Alternative Fashion Week.

Hayley Gibson of Birds of North America

Ryerson grad, established designer of a few years sold in several stores across Canada.
www.birdsofnorthamerica.ca

Anastasia Lomonova

Montreal based, Ryerson grad who’s been designing and selling her brand for a few years already.

On April 24, 2010, the TFI New Labels® competition finale takes place where one lucky designer will win $10,000 cash from Mattel Canada and a $25,000 editorial package from ELLE Canada. Tickets for the benefit are on sale now at www.elleevent.com.

Nada Shepherd, creative mind behind NADA in (I didn’t ask) a double-cuffed jacket with accented shoulders and python leggings from her Fall 2010 Collection

All this talk about future…

The future of fashion…the future of fabric…the newest silhouettes…

The first ever “womens wear/fashion 3D film” (um, I wasn’t there but didn’t Burberry recently take the dibs on this claim?).

Canadian designer Nada and her impressive hoard of sponsors and creative team put Toronto into the ‘fashion week’ mood by not only showing early and off-site; but at a downtown movie theatre (there was caramel corn, chocolaty treats, yummy pretzels…) complete with 3D glasses and Fashion Television’s Glen Baxter as host – to show her Fall 2010 ‘fembot’ fashion on the big screen.

Nada Fall 2010 Shown in a 7-Minute 3D Movie

Now, it’s really tricky when a designer, any designer, uses words like ‘the future of’ – because in the present, it’s pretty much all been done – and then some. However, with a fall collection of metallicized python, parachute fabrics, snake infused chiffons and liquid prints morphed into a 7-minute 3D fighting video game slash fashion preview – one could say this is very future fashion/fashion future. No?

It seems NADA has replaced Canada’s Arthur Mendonca as the stylish, on-trend, popular among the insider industry and something to talk about fashion brand,

so it almost doesn’t matter that we couldn’t actually see the collection at the preview (it was integrated into the sequence as the video game ‘fembot’ chose her outfit and weapon before each fight) or that many of the futuristic fembot pieces are actually more suited to the ‘earthbound’ women although exaggerated shoulders and high-lux fabrics make wrap dresses and double-cuff blouses much more interesting (I do love the sheer leggings (think Jeremy Laing 09) and the wispy liquid-like prints).

See the video for yourself at http://www.nada3d.com (you can even send for 3D glasses) and while you’re at it take a look at the team.

Holt Renfrew’s Natalie Lecomte and blogger Anita Clarke @ the Greta Constantine Spring Preview

The most hyped party/fashion show that took place last fall – Greta Constantine showed their always goddess-like – ever luxurious Spring 2010 Collection at a Toronto downtown Audi dealership – which made for an awesome off-site, independent fashion week event and spacious platform for the show.

The guys also introduced their new menswear line – Ezra Constantine.

+ http://twitter.com/gretconstantine

+ Greta Constantine blogs for the National Post >>

All Photos and Many More: http://lostinthewillderness.com/blog/?p=13681

All Photos and Many More: http://lostinthewillderness.com/blog/?p=13681

from http://nightshadesbikecrew.blogspot.com/

Just sayin’

1. Jackets: Deadly Nightshade’s Jacket from Circa April 2009
2. Jackets: American Apparel’s Night Jacket on sale now!
3. Tights: Deadly Nightshade’s Fall 2009 Collection
4. Tights: American Apparel’s New Release

from http://nightshadesbikecrew.blogspot.com/

Jeanne (Montage) in Elle Canada, March 2010
All Canadian Designers (many more in magazine)


Photos: Nelson Simoneau
Stylist: Anthony Mitropolous
Art Direction: Denis Desro
Hair: Brennen DeMelo (Ford Artists)

1. Rad Hourani | 2. Denis Gagnon | 3. Mikhael Kale | 4. Marie Saint Pierre | 5. David Dixon

New to Shopgirls Boutique – Canadian fashion designers Stacey Zhang, Veronique Milijkovitch, Faren.

Shopgirls strives to promote emerging Canadian designers and artists.
1342 Queen Street West, Toronto

Friday, Feb 26, 5.30pm-10.30pm
Saturday, Feb 27, 10am- 5.30pm

7 Great Canadian Designers

Customer Appreciation Event
40-80% off

Carrie Hayes www.carriehayes.com
Desperately Different www.desperatelydifferent.com
Karamea www.karamea.ca
Cha Cha Handbags www.chachalifestyle.com
Zoran Dobric www.zorandobric.com
Hortense Salvatore www.hortensesalvatore.com
Jabberdust www.jabberdust.ca

Gladstone Hotel, Art Bar,
1214 Queen Street West ( at Dufferin St. )

Free admission