LOVAS *love* 1st Ever PRE-SALE

[all photos from L'Oreal Fashion Week coverage at blogto.com]

We wrote about Toronto fashion designer Wesley Badanjak's impeccable showing at [FAT] earlier this year, and are amazed how well he pulled together a Spring/Summer 2010 collection mere months later for L'Oreal Fashion Week.

Currently, the LOVAS collection is not stocked in any Toronto shop, however the LOVAS team is having a PRE-SALE to pre-order the latest pieces that include fresh Euro-Adriatic inspired blues, coral and sea sand in very wearable sleeveless dresses, cropped pants and tailored shorts.

DATES AND TIMES
Friday, November 27 - 6:30pm-9:00pm
Saturday, November 28 - 12:30pm-5:30pm
Sunday, November 29 - 12:30pm-5:30pm

LOCATION
165 Matheson Blvd. E., Studio 5B
Mississauga, ON L4Z 3K2
(At Hurontario and Matheson)


REQUIREMENTS
Please note that you must book an appointment to see the collection by contacting Rosemary Mandic, Director of Sales, at (416) 671-7226 or via email at rosemary@lovasfashion.com. Deposits of 50% are required to hold your pre-order, with full payment due upon shipping, so bring your cheque books.

SIZES
LOVAS Wesley Badanjak produces garments from size 0 to size 14.

Check out www.lovasfashion.com to see selected Spring/Summer 2010 looks.

New TFI Resident Designers 2009 (part1)

The Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) is a not-for-profit organization 'dedicated to supporting and nurturing small fashion business entrepreneurs'.
Along with providing educational workshops and seminars and a resource centre, TFI provides office and studio space through its Resident Program. With only 10 studios available, designers apply for residency and the chance to work alongside fellow designers.

New TFI Residents

A Ressurection of Romance
Jessica Rose Martin, graduate of the International Academy of Design in Toronto - previously worked as the assistant designer at Gwendolyne Hats in Toronto, designs feminine clothing inspired by historical costume and art.

bel ami
bel ami offers elegant handcrafted headbands and hair pins adorned with luxe feathers, bows, tulle and rosettes. Designer Erin Fitzpatrick, a biology grad, recently worked as an intern at FASHION Magazine.

BORA BIRS
Sylvia Bora, an IADT grad apprenticed with Joeffer Caoc before starting Bora Birs, a women's wear company offering unique, artistic designs with a European look.

Zayna Mosam Image Consulting
Founder Zayna Mosam consults on personal style, branding & image management, and communication optimization. Services include: style analysis, personal shopping, styling, communications coaching and public image development.


The Style Box
Created by industry insiders, Gail McInnes & Amanda Brugel, The Style Box is a unique promotional management organization for new and established Canadian designers who want to elevate their brand and achieve recognition.

JUMA in T.O.

Find JUMA 2009 Spring/Summer collection in stores! The collection is modern, clean, sporty and can be dressed casually or formally depending on how you accessorize it.

Womens Stocklist:
Pho Pa (Toronto), Oak (New York), Victoire (Ottawa), James Boutique (Montreal), Turtle (Boston), Pink Sugar (Calgary), Tenth & Proper (Vancouver) and others

Mens Stocklist:
UPC (Toronto), Oak (New York), Boutik (Calgary), Two of a Few (Vancouver), U&I (Montreal) and others

Online Boutiques for Canadian Designers

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 >>

Rad Hourani in Vogue Italia

PHOTOS BY STEVEN MIESEL
STYLED BY KARL TEMPLER
www.radhourani.com

JUMA Spring/Summer in T.O.

If I was in town on my birthday, Thursday June 4, 2009 - I would definitely hit up this JUMA trunk show to try and find a great deal on new, designer summer piece from this local label. (But I will be on remote location in Las Vegas (yay!) and will have to make due without).
Rachel


About JUMA:
Brother and sister design duo Alia and Jamil Juma have been creating cleanline, contemporary and active wear for about six years. As ex-Toronto Fashion Incubator residents, they've previously shown at Toronto Fashion Week, but have clearly found more success exhibiting at New York and Las Vegas trade shows (JUMA was also invited to present at Capital Fashion Week in Ottawa last fall) resulting in sales throughout North America.


JUMA's black kurta pants are flying off New York retail shelves.

Local Frills

Local fashion designer and dressmaker Samantha Stoncius graduated from LaSalle's fashion program last year and has been busy getting her name on the T.O. scene by participating in charity fashion events and most recently, the Clothing Show.

Since this is the season of frilly dresses (prom, weddings, showers, etc...) it's a wonderful time to show photos of Samantha's recent runway presentation at the Clothing Show.

Her dresses are available online at Etsy or in the city at The Rage (2 Kensington) and Nathalie-Roze & Co. (1015 Queen St. E). However, if you have something else in mind, she can design something for you from scratch - a great idea for bridesmaids >>

Tiff's Clothing Show Fav 5

by Tiff Ing

If there’s one event that Toronto shopping addicts look forward to, it’s the bi-annual Clothing Show. There’s always an opportunity to score deals and discounts, and to meet and chat up the (mostly local) faces behind the labels. Four years ago, when I first trekked down to the Exhibition grounds for the show, it opened my eyes to the wonderful creative talents of Toronto designers. Now, four years later, media pass in hand, I’ve compiled a list of my five favorite Toronto-centric booths through the years, in no particular order:


1. JOOL – Local designer Julie Phelps always has a beautifully set up booth with affordable, boldly printed reworked vintage blouses and lots of vintage shoes and trunks. Check out her wares in her Etsy shop.

2. I Miss You Vintage – Super mark downs on a well-edited, but abundant collection of vintage dresses and accessories--$15 dresses? $5 purses? I’m sold. Check out I Miss You’s shop at 63 Ossington Avenue or online.

3. Snoflake/Dagg & Stacey – Debbie Sutton, Stacey Paterson and Karen Dagg are a Clothing Show staple, with an extra large booth to sell samples and leftovers from past collections at discounted prices. Check out www.snoflakefashion.com and www.daggandstacey.com before the
show to find choice pieces, but be prepared to fight for your size!

4. Propaganda – Regina Shum likes to sell off pieces from past collections of Valerie Dumaine, Eve Gravel, and other Canadian designers at major discounts, and she’s totally open to bargaining with Clothing Show attendees for better prices. Check out her website at www.shopaganda.ca and her adorable 686 Yonge St shop for more fun stuff.

5. Model Citizen – For the boys, you just can’t beat Julian Finkel’s Model Citizen prints. Their Clothing Show booth usually has some serious deals—my boyfriend scored a devil’s pitchfork printed collared shirt for a mere 5 bucks this year! For more printed awesomeness, check out Model Citizen’s Kensington store at 279 Augusta.

Damned Dollies @ One of a Kind Show

I'm sure you've seen these little 'Damned Dollies' in Toronto by now - There's the five inch stuffed gals with stands (that come in their own screen-print boxes), mini-versions that can be used as brooches and even a line of damned dolly sketches screened onto tees.



Designer Dana De Kuyper recently relocated to Toronto from Montreal so its possible we may see even more of her curious little creations throughout the city. Already, Damned Dollies are available in nine stores throughout the province. Find more here >>

Designs Deserving of the $25,000 Prize!

Faren Tami for FAREN won the coveted title of Canada's hottest upcoming label at the Toronto Fashion Incubator's (TFI) Elle Canada New Labels Competition, April 25, 2009 and a 'prize package' valued at $25,000.

The lengthy, intensive competition took place over many months where top industry judges rate not only the aesthetic of a designers' collection, but also its wearability and saleability; the professionalism and business ethics and the overall sustainability of a designers' business.

Faren beat out not only dozens of applicants and early contestants - but also the other three finalists who showed coherent collections at the Saturday night show (unfortunately I have very few photos) including an amazing presentation by Sonja den Elzen 'Thieves', Jody McMillan and GushueSwim.

Hopefully we'll be hearing more about Faren in the future (as part of the prize, she should be featured in an upcoming issue of Elle Canada) - perhaps she'll put some of the cash towards a website ;)


Judges from left: Nathalie Atkinson ( National Post), Peter Papapetrou (Renovate My Wardrobe), Rita Silvan (Editor-In-Chief, ELLE Canada), David Dixon (Designer) and
Teresa Isabella (Bluenotes).

[FAT] Day 4: Beyond

Top: Wesley Badanjak with models from his show | Runway photos courtesy of digitalfabrik.ca

Someone said to me that the fourth night of Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week is called 'Beyond' because the fashion is all 'beyond' comprehension.... This may be true for the majority of the collections shown throughout the event, with some major exceptions, particularly in the first set of shows last night.

In its finale evening, we watched some of the best, most concise and well-made collections of the entire week:

Canadian designer David Dixon showed up in support of Wesley Badanjak's LOVAS - a near perfect, flawless and very wearable collection of classic pieces entirely in a gradient of black, charcoal, teal and white with black and white graphic print tunics and dresses. Every aspect of the Fall 2009 set, entitled 'In Shadows' show was exceptionally executed and sponsored from the styling and make-up, to the Nine West footwear and Rita Tesolin accessories to the the line sheets and collection information. FORD Models, likely channeling Coco Rocha, walked the show with gorgeous super long hair and dark lips. I strongly believe we'll be hearing and seeing more of LOVAS in the future...


Designer Martha Sharpe with models in her 'Salvadore' line of clothes

LOVAS may have been a tough act to follow, but Ryerson grad Martha Sharpe redeemed respect with her Salvador dresses and tights with figure-flattering curving, piping that accentuate hips and bums. Many of the grey and black dresses were littered with colorful Mexican floral appliques - but the shoe accessories that ran up the calves made up for any cons we felt during the show.


Heidi Ackerman with a model from her show | Runway photo courtesy of digitalfabrik.ca

Talented and award winning designer Heidi Ackerman also managed some 'aahs' from the audience with fresh knit jumpsuits and leggings; complementing organic cotton and bamboo avant-garde-style dresses and skirts, making her in my opinion one of Toronto's hottest upcoming designers. Unfortunately her line is not currently sold in any Toronto stores, but read her blog to stay updated >>

Another of my favorite parts of [FAT] is the intermixing of performances: and expressionist art I wouldn't have otherwise seen. In 'Electra', Genevieve Favre Petroff, rooted on a pedestal with a long white gown and silver hair, mesmerized all of us who were sitting up front with her 'Bjork-like' voice and fibre optic lights that lit up on cue. I don't think anyone will forget, "Cran-berry joooose. Cr-annnn Berry Joooo-se".

[FAT] Day 3 GUTTER

Hand-painted model preparing for the IMAGOzine show | Backstage @ Jet Exhibit

...the nature of survival and the ways clothing negotiates limitations. The social, political, cultural and economical aspects of a place on the edge, raw, uncomfortable, unsettling, shifting and extreme.

(first I must say that the choice of music in nearly every fashion show so far this week has been amazingly suitable and awesome)

In its third night, the "alternative" in fashion really started to show through in the experimental collections shown. I unfortunately missed the first set of shows (Breeyn McCarney's Circus Couture, NEVA, UND's futuristic military, Harsh Designs, Tassoni Brasil accessories), but got more than a contemporary eye-full with the next two sets of seven!

And Gutter it all seemed to convey - from youth. inAsia's miles and piles of wound up cassette tape and film reel on clothing to the dramatic 'Salvation' show that had vicious models in chunky towering platform boots, strapped with guns and swords featuring goth designs of Asphyxia, Magdelina and Empire. This show ended with a child model blowing herself up with a grenade.

For the lengthy 20minute finale, IMAGOzine put on an over-the-top thriller with hand-painted, bloodied-faced suspensful performers in a variety of eerie fairytales. There was the Little Red Riding Hood hand-painted cape with wolves; a three-tiered cake girl and some scary angel-like, skeleton men.


The Queen West girls at Magpie, Cathy McDayter and Angela Mann expectedly presented an substantial edgy collection complete with silver sequins, deconstructed silk tanks and leather jackets made up of many many painstaking pieces. Although this collection is completely different from other things I've seen (they don't follow any themes and are inspired by whatever), its equally well-constructed and super fierce!

Now onto the more cheery experiments:

In Jocelyn Teng's Jet Exhibition, a line of girls constricted in painted canvas (?), hopped in wee jumps down the runway in an entertaining exhibit of artistic impression.


Kirsty Mckenzie recruited the ever-entertaining Lena Love (above in blue wig) to join the showcase of gawdiness at its finest: colorful, printed crushed velvet shirts and leggings, all adorned with platform shoes covered in flowers . This was a super fun show with tons of energy!

[FAT]2: DNS & A Girl in the Sky

by Rachel Schwab

Among 12 fashion shows, multiple photography and video screenings and Daniel's DJ sets, the two most stand-out highlights of the night were 1. an intense muscular performance by A Girl in the Sky and 2. the Deadly Nightshades' 'Danger Paradise'.

For its second night, more people showed up to support the dozens of creative folk working to pull together Toronto's four-day Alternative Arts and Fashion Week. The energetic vibe backstage was contained in the various pockets of designer crews working together in the same room; carnival-like in all the individual themes being created with hair, make-up and styling to complement the outfits.

As the opener for the Zuzanium fashion show, A Girl in the Sky, a two-women dance-like, gymnast-like performance, had the entire audience on the edge of their seats as we watched intense feats of strength put to the test. Just look at the pictures:



The Deadly Nightshades were definitely the most popular act of the night with their bike-friendly streetwear, presented with coordinating shoes, 'Deadly' underpants and fierce hair-do's (provided by Sasoon Salon). The gals even managed to secure an accessories sponsor, 2Revert, who made up earrings and knuckle rings recycled from skateboards.
Their "Drunk in the Trunk" show is April 29, 2009 @ 88 Nassau St.


(note: sheVisions also captivated with an aerial performance, donned in a silver bodysuit.)

[FAT] 1: Meet some new designers

Nahanee by Jillian Grant
Judging solely by the photos of the show, I assume Jillian Grant is a bikini designer (can't find her online) - but I honestly missed the clothes as we were much to busy admiring the Native-themed accessories; the the two hot-bod men stationed on the runway and the barely dressed gals str-uttin' it.



Matryoshka by Pink Lady
A collection made from felt; what to expect?
High-quality, saturated colors and whimsical pieces including circle skirts, high-waist shorts and even cut-out jumpers. All that craftiness brought a smile to my face!


Stars @ Love Cliche

All-girl bike gang fashion invasion

Toronto Fashion Hero’s Take Over [FAT] with Female Bike-Friendly Streetwear.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to preview The Deadly Nightshades(DNS) awesome new sustainable womens line - made entirely from hand-dyed and screened eco-friendly fabrics. DNS is best known as a a group of gals who advocate both biking and eco-fashion - last year at [FAT] we premiered the Deadly Nightshades documentary which promotes responsibility in fashion.

“Welcome to Danger Palace”
This new Fall 2009 sustainable collection, debuting on Earth Day (April 22, 2009), celebrates women and biking while attempting to make a serious style statement with a combination of sustainability and sass. 
The line creates a unified feeling of femininity, fashionable sportswear and old-fashion tailoring combining the aesthetic differences and backgrounds of the designers. Fabrics include soft organic Sherpa fleece, organic cotton rip-stop, bamboo jersey and hemp silk. All fabrics are hand dyed and silk-screened.

Toronto Alternative Arts and Fashion Week
The Distillery District – Fermenting Cellar, 55 Mill Street East, Building 6

www.deadlynightshades.ca
www.nightshadesbikecrew.blogspot.com

mymommadethat

Nancy Rosa was lucky enough to grow up wearing clothing handmade by her mom. And so, after repeatedly answering the question "where did you get that dress?!", mymommadethat was born.

So far, her mini-line consists of two styles of flattering dresses made of sourced, unused vintage fabrics. The 'Elora' is an A-line dress while the 'Drayton' is fitted with a tapered bodice and skirt.

So far, the dresses are only available online >>