Respect Your (fashionable) Elders!

Daniel R. Wilson

Remember hipster kids, these ladies were fabulous when you were still fetal! The lovely ladies at the Mozart Unlaced Royal Conservatory of Music gala proved that age has nothing to do with style.

I spoke with a terribly chic woman in a pink suit about fashion through her life time and she said one of the problems now is that people don’t dress for occasion. “I’ve always been a different cat,” she said, “I’ve always liked to look nicely turned out. When I was young, even if you were dirt poor you still had a nice outfit for an occasion. Now a days people come to a bridal shower in jeans!” When I asked her the best thing about being her age she said, not having to be around to watch fashion deteriorate even more!

I also took notice of a fantastic lady dressed to the nines in colour! Her brightly striped knit skirt from Holt Renfrew and bright orange shawl worked with the cardigan her friend crocheted for her to create a very Marc Jacobs meets Missoni look.

The moral of the story is that there have always been cool kids, the lucky ones grow up to be fantastic adults.

Mozart Unlaced (The Royal Conservatory of Music Gala)

by Daniel R. Wilson

Mozart Unlaced, the fundraising gala for the amazing Royal Conservatory of Music was one of the most fantastic, elegant events this reporter has been to in ages. But also an event that made me feel rather inadequate as a human being.

Sitting in one of the spectacular new concert auditoriums listening to a small child of maybe seven years old - Emma Meinrenken - play the most heart-wrenchingly beautiful violin, one can’t help but remember being that age and doing little more than finger painting. Also I got to hear soprano Ambur Braid who was not only physically beautiful draped in a Gucci wrap dress with a heavy leather shoulder strap but had a stunningly powerful voice. Looks, talent and Gucci; I’d hate her if she didn’t send my little hear aflutter.

The event itself was posh to the nines with flocks of chic ladies and elegant men fluttering around as piano players, violinists, singers, cellists and harpsichordists staged performances in every nook and cranny of the new building. Braised short rib so tender it could be cut with a spoon was served on one floor, pikoras on another and decadent sweets on the main.

The highlight was in the four floor atrium where a dj roosted on a bridge near the glass roof playing beats while a violin player dressed for an Elizabethan ball and an opera signer sang bellow. They did a rendition of I Feel Love by Donna Summer which has also been covered by everyone from Madonna to Goldfrapp, which broke the mold of classical music and went beyond anything I had expected.

The Royal Conservatory of Music is one of the leading musical education institutions in North America and has helped shape talent from all across the world into some of today’s most respected musicians and musical professionals. Visit www.rcmusic.ca for more information about the Royal Conservatory if you yourself know a budding prodigy or just want to show some support.

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 >>

[FAT] Photos

Local model and celeb-transsexual icon Nina Arseneault made a cameo at the off-the-wall Cristabel show.


Gail McInnes and actress Amanda Brugel, the two ladies behind The Style Box (designer management) taking a break at [FAT].


The MakeUp For Ever crew was parked at [FAT] painting and faux-finishing models in multitudes of amazing creations!


Canadian actresses, all garbed in Starkers! corsets showed up at [FAT] in support of designer Dianna DiNoble.

Baggy Crotches:)

Funny - Sonja, Vanja and I all wore 'harem' pants the same night! So comfy, super-stylish (2009!) and versatile!

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).

Sale, fashion, shows this Weekend!!

May 1-3, 2009
Better Living Center, Exhibition Place Toronto

*** Designer clothing, vintage and accessories - most up to 50% off**

The Clothing Show is host to over 300 booths of new local designers, retailers, jewellery, accessories, vintage, and eco-friendly clothing all under one roof. Art gallery and runway fashion shows add to the mix. $8

Runway Shows

Friday May 1, 2009

6:30pm AX Collection by Adam | Yes World Boutique | Playdead Cult | Anywhere But Here | Interior Images | Dilly Daisy

7pm House of Fingerprints

7pm Chesterman French | Gully Klassics | ZZZMarina |Anice Jewelery | Fairies Pyjamas | Dialogue | Samantha Stoncious | Airbrush 4 U body painting

(repeats Saturday May 2 - 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 8pm shows)

Office Space for Designers

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

Warm up to Spring Color

Fashion in Motion's Johanne Durocher

Wesley Badanjak, designer and [FAT] runway coordinator

[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".

FASHION this Saturday!

This Saturday, April 25, 2009 - we'll be at one of the city's best fashion events of the year!!

TFI New Labels Fashion Show & Gala

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2009
Location: The Carlu, 444 Yonge St., Toronto

Enjoy the not-to-be-missed fashion show of the season, a silent auction featuring amazing prizes to be won, delicious cocktails & hors d'oeuvres, a VIP dinner, an ELLE Canada goody bag filled with beauty products from P&G Beauty and all of this while schmoozing with celebrities and shopping at fantastic vendor booths!

Help support the Toronto Fashion Incubator, committed to nurturing & supporting fashion entrepreneurs since 1987.

To purchase tickets please visit www.elleshow.ca or call Scott Newlands at 416-227-8315.

[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] Day 2 in Pix

Models pose in fashion student Cristina Sabaiduc's Romandin, one of the best collections of the night with its twisted, ropes and black poppy-like embellishments.

Photo op: A model poses...and poses in a whimsical Elizaveta Yankelovich Kameleon necklace.

Designer Jennifer Fukushima of Paper People Clothing poses with the gals in her show, outfitted in her eco-friendly, re-worked and completely hand-made clothes.

The Fermenting Cellar environment shot. Love the oversized balloons.

[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.)

Fashion Tonight @ [FAT]

DAY 3 – GUTTER – APRIL 23 /09
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.

DJ DANIEL WILSON

7pm
BREEYN MCCARNEY | NEVA | ÜND | HARSH DESIGNS

8:45
TASSONI BRASIL | JET EXHIBITION | MAGPIE

10pm
10:45 youth.inAsia | KIRSTY MCKENZIE | SALVATION by Asphyxia/ /Magdelina /Empire | IMAGOzine

$25/door

[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

[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

[FAT] Day 1 Booty - a few photos

As always, very super cool vibe at [FAT] for its first night. Great performance and fashion; real-life, yet long-legged models; and tons of interesting people in equally interesting outfits (review to follow).

If you come to [FAT] in the gorgeous Distillery District, be sure to say hi to William and get your photo taken at the rustic, on-site GLAM Photo Booth - all professional photos will be available online >>

Photos above: NAHANÉE BY JILL GRANT | GLAM PHOTO BOOTH | YANG YANG

[FAT] Wednesday Schedule

Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week 2009
Distillery District, Fermenting Cellar, 55 Mill Street, East Building 6

DAY 2 – PLANET – APRIL 22 / 09
How do we create a balance between progress and nature? A look at the current state of the globe and work that deals with fashion and art in relationship to the environment and sustainability.

6pm MUSIC DJ DANIEL WILSON

6:45 PERFORMANCE sheVISIONS

7pm FASHION SHOWCASE ZUZANIUM | ANIKA | andal-lopez | WORTH. BY DAVID C WIGLEY

7:45 MUSIC DJ DANIEL WILSON | UMBRELLA MAFIA

8:45 FASHION SHOWCASE AMANDA ROSE | CHERRY BLOSSOM | ROMANDIN BY CRISTINA SABAIDUC | DEADLY NIGHTSHADES

9:15 MUSIC DJ DANIEL WILSON | THE JING BANG SHOW

10:30 FASHION SHOWCASE PAPER PEOPLE CLOTHING | ELIZAVETA YANKELOVICH AKA KAMELEON | MEET MY ART BY BABY STEINBERG | TOO HOT TOO WET TOO DANGEROUS: BY KAREY SHINN

PHOTOGRAPHY/ VIDEO SCREENINGS
CAITLIN CRONENBERG: In Your Nature
ANNA ROSS: Trees in the City
LORRAINE FIELD: Body / Field: Inscriptions Temporelles
BBB JOHANNES DEIMLING : Bread or Alive
LA STACHE: Survival By Disguise
BOJA VASIC: Parallel World
HELEN FLETCHER: Rose Darling (The Projection Gallery)
SIMON LEWANDOWSKI: Millions Now Living Will Never Die (The Projection Gallery)
ANTHONY ELLIOTT: Get a Job (no. 2) (The Projection Gallery)
VESSNA PERUNOVICH: Veiling-Unveiling

|FAT| TICKET INFO
Advance tickets: $20/Day Pass $55/Week Pass

The Rage: 2 Kensington Ave., Kensington Market
Magpie: 884 Queen Street West
Jazma Hair: 8 St. Joseph St (Young and Wellesley)
MOOG Audio: 442 Queen St West
Flaunt Boutique: 260 Carlaw Ave. Suite 101B, Leslieville
At the door: $25/Day

WWW.GETFAT.CA

[FAT] DAY 1: Tuesday Schedule

Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week 2009
Distillery District, Fermenting Cellar, 55 Mill Street, East Building 6

DAY 1 – HOME – Tuesday, APRIL 21 / 09

Exploring the roots and history of the places we come from. The theme reflects on issues around diversity, interconnection, and convergence between art, clothing and various domestic influences.

6pm MUSIC DJ FEMME NORMALE

7pm FASHION SHOWCASE FASHION WHORE |DIEPO | KATRINA TUTTLE

7:45 MUSIC DJ FEMME NORMALE | THE THING IS

8:45 FASHION SHOWCASE NAHANÉE BY JILL GRANT | LOVE CLICHÉ by Belinda Visag | MATRYOSHKA BY PINK LADY | YANG YANG

9:15 MUSIC ELEMENTZ | DJ FEMME NORMAL | SAIDAH BABA TALIBAH

10:30 FASHION SHOWCASE CHRISTOPHER PAUNIL |LUBICA | JESSICA MARY CLAYTON | VESTURE

11:00 MUSIC DJ FEMME NORMALE

PHOTOGRAPHY/ VIDEO SCREENINGS / PERFORMANCE
TREVOR BRADY: At Home
SLAVICA PANIC: Device
BBB JOHANNES DEIMLING: Blanc #6
GÜL ILGAZ: Holding On
LAUREL MACDONALD: Dear Provenance
SYLVANA D’ANGELO: Tamara
SUZANNE CARTE-BLANCHENOT: The Musical, w/ Sky Fairchild-Waller and York Dance Ensemble
EMMA HART: Rushes (The Projection Gallery)
RENATA KUDLACEK: I Wonder If You Wonder (The Projection Gallery)
YOKO FUKUSHIMA: Making Circles (The Projection Gallery)

|FAT| TICKET INFO
Advance tickets: $20/Day Pass $55/Week Pass

The Rage: 2 Kensington Ave., Kensington Market
Magpie: 884 Queen Street West
Jazma Hair: 8 St. Joseph St (Young and Wellesley)
MOOG Audio: 442 Queen St West
Flaunt Boutique: 260 Carlaw Ave. Suite 101B, Leslieville
At the door: $25/Day

WWW.GETFAT.CA

Animal mix-in

Bustle for Belvedere for SKETCH

Art, a good cause, free booze and one of Toronto’s most stylish fashion labels = a great party attended by T.Os who’s who.
by Daniel Wilson

Shown from left: Daniel Wilson, Robin Kay, Evan Biddell, Leesa Butler

The Bustle team gathered at the painfully chic Hotel Le Germain to auction off nine Belvedere Vodka commissioned duffle and messenger bags designed by local, independent artists. Proceeds from the auction went to benefit SKETCH, a fantastic organization that helps street involved youth make art.

Ms. Robin Kay sashayed in fashionably late to show some love and festivity with wild hair and a halo (she also brought a wad of cash which she was more than happy to drop for charity).
Leesa Butler of The F-List was wowed by the bag with the cat on it but said “I absolutely do not need another bag!” We talked about usable storage ideas that every fashionista needs like a fish tank coffee table filled with bags. Glen Baxter and I talked about the summer joys of bike riding in The Beaches while designer Evan Biddell and Robin talked shop.

Si Si Penaloza from Woman.ca summed up the collaboration perfectly, “Sean and Ruth (of Bustle) make perfectly accessible and broad-ranging clothing that suits our demographic. Its wonderful how they tap into undiscovered artists and talent.”

The Belvedere cocktails with cranberry and RedBull went down a little to quickly but thankfully the National Post's Shinan Govani was no where in sight to record anything embarrassing.

The bags were commissioned by Belvedere to launch their new IX (pronounced one-x) vodka. The artists – Tommy Matejka, Andy DeCola, Carla Lipkin, Stanzie Tooth, Erica Beyea, Mitchell F. Chan, Jonathan Davis, Mike Laderoute, and Carmine Scioscia – were each given a blank canvas pattern and hot pink paint matching the graffiti on the vodka's opaque black bottle.

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

What Kind of a Twit are you?

Fashion in TwitterLand
by Daniel Wilson

Twitter, Twitter, Twitter… Suddenly this social media network is everywhere. It's as hot as Facebook was last summer and Myspace (if we can remember that far back) the year before. You can log on to Twitter to let people know you have a hair appointment, what you’re having for dinner or what party you are going to tonight and you can follow what others are doing with their time too.

You learn the more you get into it, some people talk about nothing and others something.

The celebrity factor is getting bigger by the day (everyone heard about Lindsay Lohan’s endless breakup saga via her Twitter), and, for me at least, it is strangely fascinating knowing when Princess Superstar has a dentist appointment.

And of course, fashion people are all over Twitter like gravy on poutine.
So here are my top fashion people to follow in Twit land.

#1 Karl Lagerfeld (of course!)
The King of fashion provides few updates, and of course follows no one, but what he gives us is pure gold! Recent gems include “Florals are for middle-aged women with weight problems.” And “I have no scene. I go everywhere. I adapt.”

#2 Anita 'Geekgirl' & Danielle Meder (tied)
These local fashion heroes are great at keeping us updated always on what is latest, newest and hottest. Often helpful heads ups on sample sales and store promos their Twitters are useful and enjoyable.

#3 David Livingstone
Fashion writer for The Toronto Star, Elle, Fashion and Zoomer, David is an august member of Toronto’s fashion community and always right on the mark. “Just watched The Simpsons. Has there ever been an explanation for what child of Lisa's age is doing in a strapless dress?”

#4 Womens Wear Daily
This venerable publication Twitters reliably with some gossip about what fashion events the who’s who are at and the latest news from the bigshots (think LV campaign news and designer appointments).

#5 Dita Von Teese
Though not strictly a fashion person, Dita’s influence over and consumption of fashion is undeniable. “Just ran into John Galliano doing research at my favorite LA vintage clothing store!” was a recent post.

#6 Malene Arpe
This is my favourite Toronto Star columnist and one of my favourite bloggers out there. Somewhat undiscovered she is absolutely worth following for little delights throughout your day. Anything that amuses her comes out, from unfortunate photos of celebs, movie trailers and strange / cute animal videos.

Please also feel free to follow me on Twitter too, I can never predict what I’ll be Twittering about but I try and keep it entertaining: http://twitter.com/DanielRWilson

Who are you following?

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 >>

Neckties

photos from Daniel Wilson

UND Vinyl @ [FAT]

Created by twin-minded design duo; former co-owner of daring couture boutique, Shkank, Nina Be and Accessory Designer Molly Grundy, are set and ready to debut their fresh womenswear label ÜND at [FAT| 2009 Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week on Thursday, April 23 at 7:00pm.

T.Os Hottest Artists in the Hottest Clothes

In this month's Toronto Life Magazine (May 2009), photographer Mark Zibert captures 20 of Toronto's hottest names in the arts (theatre, performance, music...) completely enrobed in Canadian labels - in an awesome shoot at the AGO.

Styled by Judy Inc.'s Amy Lu and Alon Freeman, the fashion spread includes actress Seana McKenna in Andy The Anh, ballerina Bridgett Zehr in League of Lovers and Thieves and pianist Eve Egoyan in Nada. Full details and shopping info are listed.

Get the mag to see much better photos!
www.torontolife.com

Ryerson Fashion: Top Graduates

by Daniel Wilson

Photos from the Deandra Buckley show

Student fashion shows are awesome: there's usually a ton of creativity and eye candy to take in! But one of the best is Ryerson School of Fashion's Mass Exodus - it's a fantastic, high-budget presentation of the Ryerson Fashion Program’s graduating student work. The production of the show is stellar, with the theatre, tech and fashion students all working together. The venue, the theatre at Ryerson, is not the best for a runway show, but fortunately I sat in the front row and caught some spectacular student work.

Overall, its great to see the transition from student into professional in the presentation and to get a peek at what tomorrow’s tastemakers will have in store for us.

Highlights:
There were so many great mini-collections and although most of them were presentable and professional (due of course to strict editing standards), these were some of my favorites:


Chassandre Lavictoire
TorontoStreetFashion can admit to being a little bias towards our friend Chassandre, but even still, her MassEx collection met and exceeded our expectations! She deftly handled some strong Victorian influences while incorporated styling and some unique twists to make the pieces thoroughly modern, (the bowler hats were a great touch, very Comme des Garcon). The exquisite attention to detail made the quality of the pieces obvious even from afar.


Walk Tall
This totally blew my mind. Amazing Edward Gorey dresses as imagined by Tim Burton on acid. One model came out in stilts which was terrific and set the show apart.

Amanda Rose
Virginia Woolf goes a little glam in this collection with a fantastic long tiered dress paired with a cropped leather jacket and a great belted chunky cardigan. Perfect for the modern poet.

Also loved:
Paper Plane
Amazing skirt and hoodie in this simple, elegant, Japanese inspired collection. Love the barefoot models!

Design a Tee - Contest

Calling all fashion design students!
Fashion Targets Breast Cancer – National Design Contest
by Wednesday, April 29th at 5 p.m.

Every year Rethink runs a fundraising and awareness campaign called Fashion Targets Breast Cancer (FTBC). Launched in 13 countries around the world, Rethink is the official driving force behind the campaign in Canada. The FTBC campaign targets young women (and men) across the country, and aims to raise awareness about the disease through the sale of fashionable t-shirts branded with the internationally recognized ‘target’ logo which is a reminder to women to “target” their breast health. All proceeds from the sale of the shirts go to Rethink Breast Cancer to fund their research, supportive care and education and awareness programs.

The Contest
Rethink Breast Cancer is challenging fashion students across the country to design/create a unique target inspired t-shirt that represents their take on the issue of breast cancer or how the cause has affected them. Students are also asked to creatively incorporate the signature ‘target’ logo into their design. The sky’s the limit in terms of creativity.

· The piece of clothing must be a t-shirt (please note that we are looking for creative interpretations of the definition of t-shirt!)
· The ‘target’ logo must be incorporated and can be deconstructed or reconstructed in any form)

Details:
All contest entries are due to Rethink Breast Cancer by Wednesday, April 29th at 5 p.m. A final physical t-shirt as well as digital images of the t-shirt and the t-shirt design must be provided as part of the submission.

A bursary of $1,500 will also be awarded to the student with the winning entry, to be used towards additional fashion schooling or towards the production of their design.

For more information about activities associated with this year’s FTBC campaign, visit www.fashiontargets.ca.

What will the new Nevada jeans look like?

Who do you think will win?


One grand prize winner of the LG Denim DIY Design Contest will win the chance to design a new pair of 2010 re-branded Nevada jeans that will be sold in Sears stores across Canada.

The contest finale will be broadcast on Morning Live next Wednesday, April 15 at 8:20 a.m, viewable on Global channel 3 in Toronto and CH channel 11 in Hamilton. The segment will feature the announcement of the grand prize winner and models sporting designs from the three regional finalists:

* Toronto - Lori Peltonen
* Vancouver - Dora Lee
* Montreal - Marie-Sophie Belisle

The winner also receives a $5,000 fashion endowment from LG Electronics. And in conjunction with the contest final, there will be an on-air giveaway of an LG SteamWasher/Dryer pair and a supply of Tide Total Care laundry detergent!

Prom is Coming

These are pix taken by Krist Papas - at a Fake Prom Party...

[FAT] NOT TO BE MISSED Event!

|FAT| Toronto Alternative Arts & Fashion Week returns to the Distillery District, (55 Mill St. Bld. 6) April 21– 24, 2009 from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

FOUR days of fashion, music, performance and art, each night with a different theme:
Home, Planet, Gutter & Beyond.

april 21 |HOME| Designers and artists explore the place which is most familiar and known to us. The night looks at the meaning of home through culture and history, romance and beauty, power and subtlety, sexuality and domesticity.

april 22 |PLANET| In celebration of Earth Day, |FAT| responds to the challenges of surviving in an increasingly unpredictable planet. By showcasing work that suggests a balance between progress and nature, this night presents artists and designers concerned with sustainability, innovation, technology, evolution and adaptation.

april 23 |GUTTER| Unsettling. Shifting. Extreme. How do we survive in these volatile times? |FAT| explores art & fashion through the current social, political and economic aspects of a place on the edge.

april 24 |BEYOND| |FAT| takes a glance at where we are headed and how we can reinvent ourselves. Artists seek to experiment, play, and dream. They push barriers and challenge conventions. Imagination and the extremes of invention shape possibilities for the future.
Inclusive. Engaging. Diverse. |FAT| builds connections, opportunities and communities. This interactive festival acts as a platform for creators to experiment with fashion, not only as a commodity but also as an art form.

|FAT| FACTS
+ |FAT| will showcase 46 collections on the runway, over 40 visual and performing artists, and 14 music groups.
+ Advance Tickets: $20/Day Pass, $55/Week Pass @
The Rage: 2 Kensington Ave., Magpie: 884 Queen Street West, Jazma Hair:
8 St. Joseph St, MOOG Audio: 442 Queen St West, Flaunt Boutique: 260 Carlaw Ave. Suite 101B. $25/Day @ the door

+ For a complete schedule visit www.getfat.ca

Ryerson Fashion Show

This Spring, the Ryerson runway will be lit up with the creative designs of its fourth year students as Mass Exodus 2009 returns. Chiaroscuro is set to be the most inspired presentation of work to date as we take you to explore the shadows by illuminating new designs, trends and ideas. We invite you to join us as we light up the runway and enlighten viewers with Canada's future in fashion.

who: Ryerson Fashion students
what: Mass Exodus 2009: Chiaroscuro
where: Ryerson University Theatre, 43 Gerrard St. East
showtimes:
April 7 - 6 & 8:30 pm
April 8 - 7:30 pm

Tickets are $15, $20 and $25 and are available online at www.totix.ca and in person at
the Ryerson Student Center (55 Gould Street).

For more information please visit www.massexodus.ca.

Girls in Pretty Dresses

Judy Black @ One of a Kind Show

In the second last aisle at the One of a Kind Show and Sale, somewhere between almond crunch and body butter (outside of the 'Fashion' section), we almost missed textile designer and OCA grad Jennifer Neill and Judy Black - her super-psychedelic color explosion!

Using vegetable (water-based) dyes, Jen screens t-shirts, pillows and canvas bags with a little graphic, some nature and even free form elements in lights and brights. Mostly every item is double-sided and color-covered from top to bottom - a time-consuming task to create.

Something as simple as one t-shirt (approx.$60-$110) can undergo at least 12 steps to finish; using multiple screens while drying in between each coat. There are many one-a-kind items.


Judy Black camis and underwear sets come in a matching 'pizza' box!

You can find Judy Black online >>

Lunacy Glass @ One of a Kind Show

After arriving at the Direct Energy Centre for the One of a Kind Show and Sale, I headed for the very first aisle to make my way through the entire show. Right off the hop, the multitude of colorful beads at the tiny Lunacy Glass booth emanated a vibrancy that caused bunches of ladies to stop and look!

From her studio in Tweed, Ontario, self-taught lampwork beader Lucie Kovarova-Weir melts and shapes glass into fruits, bats, cats, hearts and bees. There are the sweetest little blue birds hanging from chains and bracelets of bony skeletons; pirates adorn glass rings and fairies on earrings. [We fell in love with the fruit necklace (pictured above) but unfortunately not the $900 price:(]

At the time of publishing, the lunacybeads.com website is currently being re-designed but you can see Lucie's beads on her Etsy site >>

PhoPa - Spring '09 ON Sale!

Pho Pa, 698 Queen St. West (416-979-9444) just released its Spring 2009 line - I haven't seen it but the gals at Pho Pa usually create super hip, fashion-forward pieces for their own in-store line.

For 10% off, print and present the coupon:

Opposing Views

Buy Design Fundraiser April 18, 2009

Buy Design is always a good time!

Buy Design In Space is Windfall’s sixth annual dress up party, Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 8 p.m.

The Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery Historic District will transform into an intergalactic gala featuring a go-go dance floor, over-the-moon cocktails and the best live and silent auctions in the solar system.

Blast off with your host Adrian Mainella. Shop the Beauty Lab’s beakers of cosmetics and fragrances or drop some coins for a game of arcade Space Invaders. Take home a gift capsule full of stellar goodies.

Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 8 pm
Tickets are $75 or six for $375 online or by calling 416-703-8435

Illustration by Danielle Meder

One of a Kind Show & Sale Starts Today!!

One of a Kind Spring Show and Sale 2009
Wednesday, April 1 to Sunday, April 5, 2009
Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place,

Weekdays 11am-10pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm

There is SOOOO much to see and do at the bi-annual One of a Kind Show & Sale in Toronto. It is a giant space full of hand-crafted items, art, fashion, gourmet goodies, and home decor. There are fashion shows, displays and seminars. Also, a free parcel check, family centre and wheelchair access.

Get Tickets Online
* Adults $10
* Seniors (65+) $6.50
* Students (13-17) $6.50
* Children (12 & under) Free

Get Tickets at the Door
* Adults $12
* Seniors (65+) $6.50
* Students (13-17) $6.50
* Children (12 & under) Free