[FAT] Art, Fashion, Performance & Music in T.O.

by Rachel Schwab

The things I love most about Toronto Alternative Arts and Fashion Week [FAT] are its lack of pretentiousness, the laid-back artsy vibe and the show of support for designers, artists and performers.

For the four-day event, the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District is minimally transformed to accommodate a runway, stage, lounge area and flat-screen tv's. Strategic lighting ensures the space maintains its chill ambiance, while the rugged walls and open ceiling add to the grassroots vibe. The runway and video tables are painted in black chalkboard paint, then graffiti'd with hand-written words and phrases.

A few months back a model call was held for "real" models to walk in the almost 40 fashion shows - and the result is a awesome line-up of amateur, leggy guys and gals with all body shapes, sizes and colors, bedecked in tattoos and edgy haircuts. The models may not be pro, but they make the fashion shows and I'm sure we all appreciate their beauty and bravery!

[FAT] runs until Friday >> www.getfat.ca
Tickets $25/door

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

Canada's Adidas AZX Collaborations

For its latest big design collaboration - the AZX Project, Adidas has linked up with 24 of the world's most popular sneaker shops to create and design new versions of the 1970s-1980s ZX sneakers series. Each boutique represents a letter of the alphabet, minus the x and z.

L is for Livestock
Livestock is a popular streetwear retailer with stores in Vancouver and Toronto. Founders Garry Bone and Garret Louie collaborate with designers to create limited number Livestock t's and hoodies. The Livestock AZX sneaker, with its canvas stripes, draws upon rugged military styling and minimalism.

The Goodfoot ZX8000 (G is for Green) is made from sustainable and recyclable materials; and comes with 2 organic tee’s in a natural hemp and a hemp tote bag.

Other shops include Undftd, Alife, DQM, Patta, Major, Bodega, Colette, Huf, and Foot Patrol, to name a few.

Goodfoot Toronto
431 Richmond St. W
(416) 364-0734

Livestock Toronto
116 Spadina Ave. #G1
(416) 360 5483

If Hermes made Flip Flops...

by Daniel Wilson

If Hermes made flip flops they might be acceptable. They would be tasteful, maybe a cherry wood sole with black or Hermes orange alligator straps; they would be subtle and elegant. But Hermes does not make flip flops and the ones that are out there are simply not acceptable.

From queers in the Village to the ginos and 905’rs at Circa - people in Toronto are universally slapping their way around town this summer with that irritating sound unique to this hideous footwear.

The argument in favor of The Flop is that it’s easy: you can just slip it on and go; and that it’s comfy. A driving shoe, a loafer, a deck shoe and a cowboy boot, a Vans skate shoe, a moccasin or even a Croc. All these footwear options are easy, as with flip flops, they don’t have the problem of those silly and confusing laces some shoes have… And they’re comfy! Flip flops have no support or cushioning for the arch, ball or heel and they come with the irritation of that little piece of cheap plastic between your toes.

Maybe some people think flip flops are sexy, it’s one step closer to naked after all.
I myself don’t find a calloused, hair flecked foot particularly appealing, and I fall short of imagining a lifestyle that allows time for twice weekly pedicures and toe waxing, but that’s just me.

Consider, if you will, the hygienic implications of flopping down for a roll in the linen (crisp and white as snow), with a person who, essentially, has been walking barefoot through the filth and offal of the streets or the grunge and scum of a night club.

Finally I plead to The Flop wearer to think of your own safety. We live in a city and the ground is full of hazards unknown. Used needles and broken glass, dog pooh and cigarette buts, stilettos poised to stomp on your toes and drunken revelers holding slippery beer bottles ; do you really want your feet, tender and pink, exposed to that?

Hermes does not make flip flops, but they do make a lovely driving shoe. Try one on. It might change your life, or at least save you a tetanus shot.


Last photo of chemical reaction of cheap flip flops - see story here >

What not to wear @ PRIDE

by Coko Galore

A shirt apparently. Tops were completely optional during Pride Week this past month. Many opted out and embraced the idea of "no tops" in a trendy and fashionable way.

This year's 2008 Pride weekend, although tame by comparisons to the previous ones I've attended, still brought out some sexy and fashionable eye candy. A new and worthy trend to note, using the body to make a statement by painting words on yourself. Others used accessories as point of fashion focus. Fabulous... The body is becoming an accessory making its own fashion statement. It's great that there is at least one weekend every year where the human body is celebrated and embraced by those who put it on display and those who are observing.

This, Toronto, is one thing we should be proud of.
More PRIDE photos in Street Photos >

T-shirt troubles for Daniel

Opinion by Daniel Wilson

A t-shirt can be an amazingly sexy garment; James Dean knew that and so did Marlon Brando when he rolled a packet of cigarettes into the arm of his tighty-whitey. Modern day fashion rebels wear t’s featuring v-necks so low you can clearly see where they were only just separated from the umbilical cord despite minus 20 temperatures.

Here are some helpful tips on the wearing of this classic garment in today’s fashion environment. Please note, this is just my humble opinion and you can follow my advice or laugh at it at will.

The standard American Apparel(AA) low cut v-neck is really as low as you need to go guys, proud though you may be of your Nair fetish. Remember, there was once a time when men were proud that their testicles had dropped and hair grew on their chests. They wore clothes with cleavage in order to show off their virility, not their complete lack thereof.

Slogan t’s are not ok. Katharine Hamnett made them ok, and if you have one of hers by all means, wear it (and I will beat you up and take it), but otherwise no. Slogans you think are witty are not; they are as shallow as the fabric they are printed on. Please remember, how can a t-shirt speak to you when there are thousands of them made? (Note, House of Holland is also ok)

Band t-shirts are hard to wear. If you are wearing something with the name or imagery of a hot new band, chances are by the time you’ve washed it you’ll be embarrassed to be seen in it. Vintage band t’s are better, but it’s still a fine line. The Nirvana smiley face t-shirt may either make you look way too ironic, or that you actually live in your parent’s basement. A Nine Inch Nails t-shirt can work as an actual homage, ditto New Order, but it should look like your club-stamp smeared, same sex lover passed out in it a few dozen times while going through a sweaty fit.

AA is a great store to get t-shirt basics as their shirts can be worn on their own or layered under a more interesting garment, but please just one AA item per outfit. I know soft cotton in lovely colours is addictive, but it is not an outfit or a fashion statement. Entire wardrobes wrung from the racks of American Apparel make you look like a pastel, hipster Marc Rothko painting holding a 50.

There really is so much more to say: are metallic’s permitted, what is the rule on holes or stains, V-neck, boat or crew? Oh well, I need to leave some room for people to make mistakes or else what more would I write about?

JUZD Bamboo Tees

Photos by Christina Pal


Toronto-based streetwear JUZD Clothing (joost) claims to be 'The Planet's First Bamboo Designer Label' - consisting of nature/Asian-inspired graphic tees for men and women.

On February 6th 2008, JUDZ previewed its latest styles with a runway show, dj/club set and high-energy breakdance performances from the ABS Crew and Poizunus.

Why we love BAMBOO
1. Antibacterial- keeps you feeling and smelling fresh.
2. Highly sweat absorbency - keeps you dry.
3. Powerfully insulating- keeps you cooler in summer and warmer in the winter.
4. One of the softest fabrics on the planet- you'll love the way it feels.
5. Naturally UV protecting- protect yourself from skin cancer.
6. Hypoallergenic- natural bamboo does not cause allergic reactions.
7. One of the most eco-friendly fabrics on the planet.

Check out the site www.juzdwear.com for photos and designer blog.

Franken-Jewellery : Do it youself!

Review by Daniel Wilson

I will admit that crafting, as a movement, frightens me a little. I just don’t feel I have it in me to be one of those people that can create fabulous ‘wearables’ out of flotsam and broken scraps. Apparently I was wrong.

Last week I arrived at Keep Six Contemporary art gallery (938 Bathurst St) somewhat apprehensively, but armed with a bag of broken jewels and an open mind for the meet-up of The Franken-Jewellery Swap.

This is the 3rd swap of the growing group of handy-hands that organizes itself through Facebook and word-of-mouth. “We still like to keep it casual here, but clearly this is catching on,” said organizer Julia Burton. As Uffie and The Teenagers played from the computer behind the desk, I sat down and found my own neon green plastic plate to serve as operating table. I gathered broken limbs of necklaces and bracelets that had been sent to the grave long ago.

The idea here is that everyone comes to the swap armed with bits and scraps they have either collected from second-hand shops or things they have saved when clasps broke or chains snapped. There is a warm communal spirit in the air. Slowly I started to get the hang of things. A former ESA teacher near me explained I could just help myself to the tools and the lady on the other side showed me how to bend tiny metal jump rings to attach things to each other.

I realized I had the beginnings of an amazing necklace on my hands. I took a Denis Gagnon pendant that I got from the opening of his Montreal boutique and I added a Hell’s Angels style earring, a strand of pearls and a black crystal chandelier pendant.

A couple hours after arriving at The Franken-Jewellery Swap I had, not only a terrific new necklace, but a changed opinion of crafters in general. These people are not anyone to be frightened of, but warm helpful people that if you embrace you can come away with the knowledge of creation.

The next swap is tentatively set for Feb 13th 7-10pm. $5 donation to participate please.
For confirmation of that date, join the Facebook group: The Franken-Jewellery Swap found at link http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6120589686

69 Vintage Forever Collection 07 @ Ultra Supper Club Aug 21

Ultra is a beautiful and elegant venue; an ideal spot to host a fashion event in the downtown core. I arrive at 11 pm to find Vanja Vasic, Alternative Fashion Week [FAT] Director and her fashion designer pal Wesley chatting downstairs. Next I bump into some of the Helder clan – giggling and cavorting upstairs. I see Jeff Rustia, host of Club Fashion TV and introduced him to who I think are some key fashion personalities in the city to be interviewed for his show. A select group of fashion celebs take turns being interviewed about their love of vintage, while waiting for the 69 Vintage midnight fashion show to begin.

The show is still along way from starting – fashion shows are always late, especially 69 Vintage shows. This is not a bad thing, as it gives me time to have a drink and take street fashion photos. Hey, I do have a job to do. I am happy to be interviewed about my love of fashion for Jeff’s show. I have been a champion of vintage clothing for a long time. I know Jeff is dying for a few good sounds bites, so I rehearse in my head what I will say once I get on camera. “Vintage is not old. It is the new, new. It is couture for clubbers.”

I urge my friend and local jewelry designer Susie Love to have a go on camera. She is such a sweetheart and in return gives me a ring she has made. It is a large clear cube of plastic now sitting on my index finger. Susie is so sweet she attracts the attention of many a man’s eye at Ultra. One in particular is chatting her up as I try to urge her downstairs for the fashion show, which is imminent. I try to distract him by showing him Susie’s ring – my precious plastic cube. He asks me, “Don’t you prefer diamonds?” I tell him that I find diamonds morally repugnant and that I don’t own any real diamonds. He then asks me, “Don’t you want to get married?”

I don’t like his manner; he is cocky and arrogant. It is now clear to me why many of my fashion blogger friends declined to attend the show; Ultra is not their sort of place. Some of the clientele here are real jerks apparently.

Downstairs a crowd has gathered around the catwalk. While waiting, a strange man grabs at my friend’s breast. She tells him to go away. Finally the show starts and delivers a retrospective of club fashions from the late 60’s to the early 90’s. The live acoustic music – Talking Heads, Madonna, The Kinks and Billy Idol covers create a nostalgic vibe. The models are having a blast dancing and jumping on the catwalk in wild vintage styles. However, there are some people who are not so pleased with the show’s styling. I know some fashion designers who are peeved that the show was being billed as ‘vintage designs’. I speak to one Toronto fashion designer and he tells me, “A designer is conceptual and creating from scratch. A stylist just puts pieces of already made clothing together.” Clearly some feathers got ruffled and aesthetics offended.

At this point in the evening all that is lacking is Elton John walking into the club with tiaras and anti-tantrum meds.

Photos by Sonja Andic

WTF TCAF

The ink is still wet on the Toronto Comic Arts Festival weekend [TCAF]. It was my first time and I have to admit that I am already completely devoted to a comic artist. My heart belongs to Sock Monkey by Tony Millionaire. So I was hard to please, and worried about the fashion that may surround such an event. Was hoping for some manga characters dancing around...oh well not the case. But the comic book uniform lives on. Knee socks, tennis shoes, slogan t-shits with comic or graphic prints, pig-tails and short mini skirts for the gals.

I was drawn to the art work by British artist Tom Gauld, and work by Steve Wilson [Ghostmilk Studios]. Met a cute gal who works in comic industry Emily Ragossino aka Dorkgirl [see photo of gal in knee socks]. It was an interesting day out in the city. Get outside or get comic. Be a dork! or draw.

Boyfriend Chic

Hey, hey! Do you wanna be my boyfriend? Check out boyfriend chic this fall 2007.

Not saying that Avril spawned this trend, but a trend it is this fall. Boyfriend chic is about girls wearing boys clothes with their own stuff - like wearing a boy's oversized jumper over a halter dress.

If you don't have a boyfriend that's okay. I suggest you pretend you do and get your butt down to Preloved on Queen St. West and pick yourself up one of the men's cardigans before they sell out. Preloved sales associate Daniel Wilson says, "Lots of girls have been buying this cardigan. Of course because it is in fashion, but also because it is soft and comfy. This look is perfect for the gal who dresses up like she has a boyfriend, but she doesn't."

The Preloved cardigan is long and made from re-worked fabrics and a new cardigan blank. It features side pockets and cute elbow coverings. They are $79.00 and are going fast. Oh by the way, guys can buy them too. Each one is different and one of a kind; so not to worry 'bout anyone else having the same cardi as you.

FYI Preloved is getting more men's fall stock over the next couple weeks. Check out the super cute HeartBeater shirt for men.

photos of Daniel Wilson and Sonja Andic

Second-Hand Goods

Saturday is my traditional day for hitting my local thrift shops. I scored today at my St. Clair West Salvation Army. Netting myself a bunch of girly purses that I am going to use as goodie-bags for a friend's birthday party. It is a sustainable way to use gift bags and it is a gift in itself! The bags range in price from $1.99 to $3.99. For myself I scored a pair of made in Brazil shiny black strappy sandals for $6.99. They are in great condition and so this season.

Tell us about your latest second-hand grab!

Sporty Sonja

I am a bit clueless when it comes to looking sporty but I know the athletic, sporty look is trendy so I want to give it a try. So, after the Toronto Fashion Bloggers Brunch I made the trek to Kensington Market for a spot of shopping.

First stop in pursuit of relaxed and sporty looks is the RAGE, 13 Kensington Ave. I love the motto of the store - Toronto designed clothes for style girls who chase mischief.
I see a lot of jewellery I want to buy like laminated earrings that look like old tape cassettes, flower pins made from bunched up zippers and a super cute old skool Pac-Man necklace. I settle on a re-worked t-shirt with added bits of yellow trim for $20. I think it makes me look sporty, but my colleague at TSF.com laughs at me outside the shop saying that a shirt with a band's name written across the front isn't really sporty. Oh well, I like it and I hope with some PVC black leggings and high heel ankle boots it will have me chasing mischief soon.

Street Fashion: Oligarchy

by Maha

Oligarchy is the name of the clothing line that brother and sister design duo Jonathon and Tabatha Burford plucked straight out the dictionary. According to Tabatha, “It means a large number of people in power, something between aristocracy and monarchy…you’d better look it up to be sure.” I didn’t.

Jon started designing his one-of-a-kind hand-printed T-shirts straight out of high school above their parents' hair salon, the legendary House of Lords in Toronto. Two years later, Tabatha joined in with the ambiguous role of… “something in production”.

Read the article here >>

Street Fashion: Biokat

Kat Senyk, the student/designer behind Toronto street brand Biokat shares some secrets of taking her label online and the benefits of hiring a PR rep. Read the interview here.

www.biokatonline.com

OK47 @ the Clothing Show

Graphic tees are a staple in the street fashion section at the Clothing Show with OK47 being one of most coveted brands. Created by fashion designer Jen Lindup and graphic designer brother team Felix and Alex Wittholz, OK 47 has evolved from a stylish, graphic t-shirt company into a full women's clothing line that has garnered press around the world.

We still hope to find its original and 'deviously subliminal graphic' tunics and tanks from last season and maybe new organic cotton dresses at great wholesale prices!

THE CLOTHING SHOW
May 5th & 6th, 2007 Automotive Building, Exhibition Place
Sat. 11am - 8pm • Sun. 11am - 6pm
http://www.ok47.com

Healing Heart @ the Clothing Show

Healing Heart Designs, an ethical local clothing company, declares Compassion over Fashion with its funky line of cruelty-free, conscious-forming clothes.

Many items are hand embroidered with messages "Fake Fur: Real Morals", "Stop The Seal Hunt" and "I (Heart) Pitbulls" and embellished with bows, ruffles and other little details. Healing Heart also sells buttons and necklaces allowing easy accessibility for all shoppers!

THE CLOTHING SHOW - BOOTH 71 (Cruelty Free Collective)

May 5th & 6th, 2007 Automotive Building, Exhibition Place
Sat. 11am - 8pm • Sun. 11am - 6pm

www.healingheartdesigns.com

Plastik Wrap streetwear

Read the Plastik Wrap feature >>

The DUDE Show

By Tiff Ing

Last Saturday, TSF.com stopped by Latvian House to check out the wares at the Downtown Urban Design Event. Along with One of a Kind and Pedal to the Metal, this is a Christmas fave for us. The cozy, one-room show boasts very local clothing, crafts, housewares, and incredible accessories, most handmade and all created with zest and love by some of the nicest designers you’ll ever meet.

Jenna Greenberg of Jenna Rose shows off some of her handmade hats
Marmalade designer Kate Singer invites us to try on her necklaces of every colour, size, and shape.
Smitten Kitten's silk tie flower brooches add colour and interest to any outfit. Designer Amy Kwong also does fun Toronto-inspired Steve's guitar-pick earrings.
It's a showdown between Iisa Dezign's recycled leather and book wallets or her "Read My Hips" belts made of similar materials that she calls "recy-collage."
Scarves by NaMoDa designer Monika Sosinski cover both head and tail of your favorite zebra lover.
Metalsmith Allison Wells of Papersnake Jewellery has a great eye for baubling furry and flying friends from necks and ears.

FACE streetwear

Who is that FACE in the window?

The FACE label epitomizes street fashion and progressive design. Owen Milburn and Emily Powell re-work vintage leather and denim with graphic prints and design. Owen started doing this about three years ago on his own until he meet Emily. She is the ‘sew’ gal for FACE and Owen is more of the ‘print maker’. This practical and creative union works well for them.

The name FACE was brought about by Owen painting a wee image of his own face somewhere on one of his garments. Rather than a label or a signature, the little graphic of Owen's face set his design and attitude apart from the designer rat-pack.

Leather jackets cost about $250 and available from 69 Vintage. This design duo is definitely one to watch in the race to be King and Queen of the street fashion scene! Available at Model Citizen , 69 Vintage and Delphic (Toronto) and Midtown (Vancouver).