FASHION/UNFASHION – THURS, APRIL 28,2011
“The night battles between two opposing directions in art, performance, design and music: the commercial versus the rebellious. The night explores the ever-changing cycle of trends inherent in fashion, highlighting the contradictory and contrasting concepts of what’s in vogue.”

While monarchists donned fascinators in anticipation of a fairytale wedding, [FAT] fans encountered visions of a dystopian future. (Closer to the reality of scandals and tears that have plagued royal couples of late.  I’m not bitter, I’m just awake!)

Deconstructivist videos are paired with piercing atonal music, as we are riveted by the kaleidoscopic work of Janus A Argjahovda from Denmark.  The films, like most of the collections are stark, with minimalist atomic palettes.

Rachel Sin with Gardé Del Avante accessories


Saki

Jewellery designers Thad and Naanafya (Gardé Del Avante) gild Rachel Sin’s line with massive silver feather rings, chained and feathered epaulets, and necklace earrings.  For years we have been calling our favourite model Rashel, but a new side is revealed as she premieres her work as a designer with her African name, Saki.  Saki gracefully references her Sudanese background with Kente cloth which she gives new life with expert re-interpretation of African prints.  Styled with bright plastic bracelets and party ‘till you drop sunglasses, the disco vibe is fearless and fresh, and brings cheers from the crowds.

Breeyn McCarney shocks the crowd into awed silence as models that look as if Gaultier’s paper doilies have come to life as paper dolls, creep along the runway.  Heidi Ackerman attacks a fairly subdued collection with massively gorgeous appendages made of wood veneer, and Anastasia Lomonova (Montreal) has the Egyptian mummy/bank robber look all wrapped up with head to toe body stockings.

The Bored Collective jumpstarts the show with a striptease.  As the performer keeps on peeling, she discards everything including her wig and mask, revealing a hideous skull glowering on a naked body covered in blood red paint.  Uta Bekaia (New York) celebrates the high drama of glam rock with finned leggings, futuristic shoulders and a crucified Spiderman perched on a jewel encrusted denim jacket.  The Haphazard show features models tied up in their own clothes and to each other, with sleeves sewn into leggings, and House of Etiquette breathes new life into fetish fantasies with Vaseline-slick latex hand printed with whimsical floral patterns.

A boldly sensual night has obviously made an impact with the crowd, but I am in a committed relationship with my pillow.  Tonight is your last night to get your [FAT] on – you’ll be kicking yourself if you miss it.

99 Sudbury buzzes like a playground for children of a creative revolution.  Designers flaunt their wares, filmmakers tell tales of talking back to formidable divas, and crowds sip a Corona while taking in the shows (we’re not allowed to drink in the runway room at LG).  We’re all drunk with joy, and kind of in love with fashion, life, and each other.  No, it’s not what you think – it’s [FAT].  (Unless someone slipped something into my drink).

Tonight’s designers are committed to principles of sustainable design, a reminder that fashion needs to slow down.  The idea is to reduce consumption by thoughtfully selecting quality garments with staying power – and trending through accessories instead of cheap, throw-away clothes that (let’s be honest) look like it.

The night begins with a rockin’ performance by Catalyst Dance Company who mash Afro-Brazilian and Hawaiian grooves into a contemporary vibe.  The dance starts with  typically mellow capoeira which rapidly turns into jaw-dropping acrobatics and lightening-bolt roundhouse kicks flying inches away from our stilettos.  Yikes!  And YUM!

In from Berlin – Julia Knupfer’s organic collection

One of the best things to come out of the sustainable design movement is new lush fabrics like bamboo –so soft they make cashmere feel like mohair.  It’s no surprise that the Loft 604 designer is a woman – her menswear collection clings to all the right places with fabrics that beg to be snuggled up to.  Thanks to the Goethe Institute for flying Julia Knupfer in from Berlin.  Her bold, sculptural knits leave a lot more breathing (and peeping) room than the usual fisherman’s sweater.  And you may as well book in for season tickets at the Canadian Opera Company if you’re investing in garments from Mackenzie Jones!  The room is literally left gasping from heartbreaking beautiful designs accessorized with feathered wing epaulets, rams horn’s and antlers.  Stunning!

Calgary’s Mackenzie Jones’ models in her ‘Fatal Seduction’ collection of silk and satins

99 Sudbury – where you’ll find all the fun and fantasy of [FAT] tonight.

www.getfat.ca

*Photos by John Lee & Geoff Fitzgerald @ digitalfabrik.ca

Heidi Ackerman + Lindsay Sinclair

Known for her avant-garde collections, Heidi has become known in Toronto for her otherworldly designs that combine fashion forward style with the concepts and principles of sustainability. Using hand and machine knitting techniques Heidi is able to create unique textiles and prints using high end eco materials.

She’s received numerous awards for innovative design and have done several collaborations with companies including the National Ballet of Canada, Opera Erratica, Lindsay Sinclair, and NDEUR & Le Creative Sweatshop.

Zoran Dobric

Zoran Dobric established his label in 2005 after completing fashion design studies in Milan. His detailed, hand-finished pieces have been published in magazines and books all over the world.

Most known for his exclusive art inspired prints that are hand-screened and painted on both men’s and women’s wear, Dobric comes up with painstakingly constructed collections every season.

Toxic Vision

Rock, goth or pin-up designers are rarely taken seriously – but it takes a lot of creative vision and dedication to continually think-up new ways to shape, drape and customize classic creations.

Sharon “Toxic”, the hardworking gal behind her super glam rock, one-of-a-kind line Toxic Vision, handmakes and sells studded, embellished, ripped up and deconstructed custom pieces on her Etsy site. And while most of her stuff isn’t for the everyday – it’s glam rock fashion at its finest!

[Fashion | Art | Photography | Music - FAT 2011, April 26-29, 2011. Check out dozens of amazing Toronto artists. www.getfat.com]

Eco Fashion at The Green Living Show With Fashion Takes Action – This Weekend April 15-17, 2011

photo via Sarah Stevenson Design

For the first time, Fashion Takes Action (FTA) will host the “Emerging Designers Boutique”, featuring twenty designers from across Canada – Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver at The Green Living Show, Canada’s largest green consumer trade show.  An additional 20 eco-fashion vendors will be at the show.

Buy Clothing Made Locally – Free from Chemicals

Designers:
Sarah Stevenson, Device Design, Rescued Designs, Miik, Pure Blankz, Aime, Nicole Bridger, Meemoza, Elladora, Croquis, Ressac and SoulFibres.

Accessories: So Creative, Eco Bling, Ecocessories, Lorena Santin-Andrade and Yes Lifestyle Organics with Sole Rebels providing eco-friendly footwear.

Fashion show: Main Stage – Sunday April 17th at 1:00.

Some of Toronto’s environmental leaders will model to show their support for sustainable clothing including NOW columnist and best-selling author, Adria Vasil; Founder of Local Food Plus, Lori Stahlbrand; musician and environmental activist, Tara MacLean, and award-winning broadcaster and author, Gill Deacon.

Location: Exhibition Place, Direct Energy Centre, Booth #129

Date: April 15th, 16th, 17th; Fashion Show: 1:00 pm April 17th (main stage). Seating for 300 people.
Admission to the Green Living Show is $12 for adults, or FREE with the donation of electronic waste.

Toronto jewellery designer Victoria Sorkin (our newest sponsor!) makes the most elaborate, handmade beaded jewellery using beads from around the world: glass beads, Japanese seed beads, crystal, gemstones and even even gold beads.

Although most of her creations are way too fancy for the everyday gal to wear to a party – gorgeous necklaces and chokers (custom available) are perfect for weddings and gala events! Go to the website to see the Wedding and Royal Collections >


New Collection Showing @ the Hazon Yeshaya Launch Party, April 6, 2011
Lonsdale Gallery, 410 Spadina Ave., Toronto

Along with other luxury retailers and designers, Victoria Sorkin will be showing her newest collection and donating 20% of sales to Hazon Yeahaya soup kitchens in Israel this April 6, 2011.

Jerusalem Charity Event , May 2, 2011

Victoria Sorkin will present a unique, one-of-a-kind charity boxes series – made of  Japanese beads, 24k gold beads, Swarovski, fresh water pearls, unique Jewish symbols and other semi-precious stones.
The boxes will be offered for auction during the Jerusalem Charity Event – one of the most prestigious fundraising events in the city. (please contact the designer for more info about this initiative)

LG Fashion Week in Toronto

Day 3 | March 30, 2011:
MICALLA | Duy | KRANE Design | LOVAS | Comrags | ATTITUDE Jay Manuel | David Dixon

After Lucian Matis‘ gracious (of-site) hospitality at the Design Exchange, the clamour of the main site is a little overwhelming. The crowds are out in full force and it takes the strength of a fashion journalist to struggle through the masses to get to the media office (there is no lounging this year!).

Fashion Week volunteers are like lifeguards, spotting media and pulling us into the runway room. With their help I arrive in time for the Comrags show. Judy Cornish and Joyce Gunhouse are true stalwarts of style, having served Canadian women for a quarter of a century. Signature blacks accented with prints and drab plaid continue to be used in their 2011 collection of sleek and simple classics.

The crowd for Jay Manuels’ Sears show makes the Pakistan-India cricket match look poorly attended, and the collection delivers serious style with enough attitude to shatter the glass ceiling.

Just before the last show, I realize I’ve lost my brand new camera! Fortunately, one of the volunteers – a wonderful young man named Rob, spots it, and crawls under the bleachers to retrieve my camera and good mood in time for David Dixon‘s celebration of “Sweet Sixteen” years as a designer of distinct elegance, and we are treated to a retrospective of his work before the new fall collection is revealed. The inspiration for the show is deeply personal and moving, and his work plays with Indonesian Ikat batik patterns, cadmium reds and his trademark use of laser cut fabrics to create textures that are distinctly Dixon.

My only regret is that I missed the Micalla show – which featured astonishingly gorgeous jewelery – one of the few designers who source their gems and metals from ethical and sustainable mines. I return home for a four hour sleep trying to remember the name of the L’Oreal product that eliminates bags from under one’s eyes.

A review and more photos to come! Just wanted to share a little of the magic!

Shop for the Cause: A Pop Up Sale for JAPAN (via the Red Cross)
Saturday April 2nd (11-6) & Sunday April 3rd (12-5)
Nathalie-Roze & Co. ~ 1015 Queen St. East at Pape, Leslieville
416-792-1699

A 2-day sale with 20% to 70% off women’s clothing, jewellery & accessories ~ all donated by big-hearted local designers/crafters and shops, plus some vintage clothing, a bake sale & a silent auction of various services (eg. manicures, massages, gift cards for local restos, etc.). There will also be a table of beauty swag donated by local media gals.

DESIGNERS: Damzels, Dagg and Stacey, Bergstrom Originals, Anneke Garnette (leather handbags), Headmistress, Lilliput Hats, Snoflake, Pho Pa, Momo/Tomoko Kitai, Thien-Le, Embody, Individual Clothing, Spruce Clothing, SLO, Thank You Red (jewellery), Tweek (accessories), Red Pegasus, Studio Fresh, Labour of Love/Propaganda, Boa, I Heart Accessories, Flare magazine and lots more…

100% of cash raised will benefit the Red Cross’ efforts to help survivors of the recent natural disasters in Japan.

http://www.redcross.ca

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WANT TO HELP? We’re still seeking donations!
If you’re a crafter/designer, baker, retailer or have some special women’s wearables you’d like to contribute (eg. new, almost-new or vintage dresses, accessories, handbags or fab shoes), please call the shop at 416-792-1699 or e-mail: virago9@rogers.com OR just bring them to us by Friday at 5pm please.

NOTE: Donations can be dropped off at either Nathalie-Roze & Co. at 1015 Queen St. East at Pape in Leslieville (until 5pm Friday) OR at Lilliput Hats at 462 College St. (W. of Bathurst) in the West-End during regular store hours (thru to 4pm Friday).