Toronto Street Fashion Designers Events Photos Blog

As Chair of the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) I have a great opportunity to see many young up-and-coming design talents who, along with established Canadian designers like Lida Baday, Joeffer Caoc and Wayne Clark are the future of our industry. I believe that some of these new leaders include TFI residents like Juma, who is showing at this season’s L'Oreal Fashion Week; Fashion Psychology, a young design team featured in The New Labels show last year are now putting on a show this season; and Nada, who showcased at Magic and the New York Coterie. They have a drive and the talent to succeed on an international level.

The challenges that many up-and-coming Canadian designers face is support, not just financial backing which is a huge hurdle, but retailers who will take a chance and believe in their work (Thank God for retailers like Boutique Le Trou and Arie Assaraf of TNT). Canadian media are also critical in helping the Canadian fashion consumer know about the world class talent we have in our own country. The biggest barrier facing the success and the future of the Canadian fashion community is supporting our own great talents. If we do not continue to pull together to do this, our best will have no choice but to leave and we will be diminished because of that.

"The challenges that many up-and-coming Canadian designers face is support, not just financial backing which is a huge hurdle, but retailers who will take a chance and believe in their work." Mary Symons

Tristan Tran, agent NeXt Model Management/Artists by Timothy Priano
http://www.nextmodels.ca, http://www.artistsbytimothypriano.com

I think there was a big worry that fashion models would be gone forever, but it’s unmistakable the value a model brings to a brand. The role of a model will certainly evolve to make way for celebrities, but I think that there's a cache to models that will always appeal. The NeXt big face for 2007 is Stephanie Shiu. And the next big player in Toronto and Montréal is definitely Artists by Timothy Priano - still a new company to Toronto, but the freshest talent in hair, makeup and wardrobe. How shameless of me!

A major issue in the fashion scene is the quick turnaround of trends. I can't keep track of the trends right now! Things are moving way too quickly, I think a lot of people are confused and overwhelmed by the sheer volume of trends. Street trends I hope to see: Dandy men and more leopard print. Maybe Dandy men who wear leopard print. But I sense trend fatigue in the air.

Peter Gatien, founder CiRCA
http://www.circatoronto.com

Nightclubs have always been an essential part of the fashion scene. It’s no secret that fashion designers and artists frequent nightclubs and other nighttime hotspots to get their inspiration from the dedicated clubbers who are such an important part of the scene. One thing we always did very successfully at my clubs was to hold fashion shows, and I plan on continuing that practice in Toronto. I mean, way before Ritchie Rich founded Heatherette with Traver Rains, he was experimenting with his style at our clubs. Seeing people like him pushing the boundaries every night is incredibly entertaining, and very inspiring.

The reality is that I never frequent other clubs. I take my inspiration from the world that surrounds me everyday: art, street culture, music, design and architecture. What really excites me about Toronto, and the reason I’m confident we can do something like CiRCA in this city, is that there is a deep well of creative talent from which I can draw from. I really don’t think the majority of Torontonians get how great the creative scene is here, and how well respected we are internationally. If Toronto didn’t have a vibrant, thriving arts community (music, fashion, film, etc.), then I would never have taken the chance on CiRCA. There’s no doubt that Toronto’s nightlife is happening, my plan is to bring these elements of art, music and fashion together in a new and exciting way that will propel Toronto’s club scene to a new level of international recognition.

Vanja Vasic, director Toronto Alternative Fashion Week [FAT]
http://www.alternativefashionweek.com

Canada has got to grab the attention of the world, and I think our focus this year needs to be on making a statement. We have to stop playing it safe and take more risks if we want to become internationally recognized as a fashion capital. More emphasis on our talent; and support our local designers if we want to keep them here and flourishing as a fashion community.

Street trends I see emerging for 2007: With the huge awareness of global culture - eclectic world influences and traditional folk clothing will merge into modern trends. People are in tune with current world issues and as a result we will be seeing a lot of bold statements, strong political, social and cultural messages as part of our dress as a revamped punk culture.

I think it is still the big fashion companies, magazines and fashion television channels who are feeding us the majority of our information, and who dictate what we will buy, and feed us ideas of current trends. However, we now have access to so much information, as well as the freedom and ability to speak out to our peers through the Internet, in various chat rooms, blogs and virtual spaces where individual opinion is beginning to become more important. People who are passionate about fashion, like bloggers and trendsetters can voice their opinions, and sometimes it is more relevant to hear what like-minded people who are in your scene have to say about fashion, as opposed to just the big companies and traditional authorities on the subject.

Diego, performance artist, Fritz Helder and the Phantoms
http://www.fritzhelder.com

Being in an electronic music dance act and anticipating the huge return of the dance party, I am hoping the music scene finds it's ‘happy place’ and realizes that we should all ''get down tonight'' no matter what genre of music is played. If it makes you shake your shoulders and hips, it's gotta make you feel good.

Music and fashion will continue to inspire each other...definitely both reflecting on what people are feeling and thinking, and both are becoming more and more personal to individuals. As music becomes a mish mash of different genres and from different times...as will personal style. I think Toronto will definitely pick-up on the neo-rave stuff that's going on down in Europe, however platform Swear shoes should stay buried in closets.

As for street trends; middle eastern fashions. I think that'll continue because it's taboo and causes a bit of a stir. It is perfect for a street wear fashion statement...the pieces will change though (prayer mats are the new black?).
Fashion is evolving for the better, because it’s becoming more accessible to all people. People are learning what looks good on them and realizing that it's about them, and not the clothes.

"I personally love skirts and bright colored tights and wear them. I am proud to cross-dress and open the eyes of people who see fashion as gender specific." Zaiden

Miss Raquel, chief scenester, Scenester Magazine & host of Electronica on bpm.tv
http://www.scenestermag.com

I see music broadcasting taking a chance on fashion and the broadcaster’s sense of personal style. I think fashion reveals the true personality of the broadcaster and allows for example, sexiness - as their look will be just as important as who their reporting on, and not just the genre of music their broadcasting on.

For 2007, the big influencers in my personal world of fashion will be glamour, Studio 64, shine, glitter, pink, and the wet leather look/PVC for a take-charge guise. To be dramatic and domineering yet classic, enough to tease, but never enough to flaunt at the same time, depending on the function and in keeping with the Miss Raquel funked-up look.

Carolee Custus, fashion editorial consultant, FAZE Magazine
http://www.fazeteen.com

The world has rediscovered the creativity of its aboriginal peoples and this will infuse beauty into the fashion world. It has taken a long time for the fashion industry to recognize and appreciate aboriginal fashion designers. I am happy to see these designers take a place in the world of fashion. This wonderful change is not exclusive to Canada, but also Brazil, Africa, Spain, Mexico, Latin America, South America. I have seen the signs - tomorrow's designers are borrowing and incorporating ancient tribal images, fabrics and colour combinations to honour what has come before them.

Another significant trend I think will find a place in fashion this year is an awareness of the impact of fashion on ecology and politics. Young people are thinking differently; they will make different choices and as a result things will change. We know that the fashion world leaves an ecological foot print on the health of the planet. Sweatshops, fabric dyes, leather and fur treatment, transporting merchandise…the list goes on. Creative people and artists have a specific role in our global society and that is to express what they see around them and create awareness. I see Canadian designers working for change and this year they will continue to develop new ways to create fashion and this will have a positive affect on the planet.

"Environmental Fashionistas exist! All over the world, fast fashion is one of the greatest waste making obsessions of all time. People should invest in unique, signature pieces that will always be hot - items that will stand the test of time." Kealan Sullivan

Zaiden, fashion photographer
http://www.zaiden.com

Fashion is moving towards ‘the individual’ and original personal style. These days gender-bending, androgyny, metro sexuality, individual expression however taboo, it is in style. I personally love skirts and bright colored tights and wear them. I am proud to cross-dress and open the eyes of people who see fashion as gender specific.

Digital manipulation has gone full circle. As a photographer, I feel photography/fashion editorials will go back to the basics: simplicity, mute backgrounds and vibrant coloured clothing. Environmental issues will have a strong influence and make people more aware of what’s happening around them by using fashion and challenging themes.

Toronto will have its place again alongside the bigger cities. If Toronto wants to stand out, we must embrace change and look at being a more fashion forward city. Playing safe with no risk will not get us noticed. We need to embrace our designers and push through our "own" style.

No one changed the world by blending into the background.

Kealan Sullivan, owner, 69 Vintage
http://www.69vintage.com

Vintage fashion is always hot. It is a source of inspiration for all major design houses, no matter what the current interpretation may be. Nothing today is totally new. A fashion conscious consumer will forever find great vintage pieces that can be worked into a fresh look.

Toronto designers need to sell clothes and they need to be exposed in Canadian magazines. They need support so that Toronto stores will be encouraged to carry local clothing lines. Torontonians need to wear clothing made by talented Toronto designers; less H&M and more independent designers.

Environmental Fashionistas exist! All over the world, fast fashion is one of the greatest waste making obsessions of all time. I think being wasteful is boring and out of fashion. People should invest in unique, signature pieces that will always be hot - items that will stand the test of time and eventually be sought after as vintage items. I encourage people to swap, sew and resell quality garments from the present and the past. People need to shop smarter.

Fashion for spring 2007: short dresses, short skirts and short shorts. Boots and ankle booties will stick around with over-sized bags for day; bold, decorative mini bags for night. One piece outfits: jumpsuits, rompers, and bodysuits. Head scarves, kimono style tops and metallic and sequin pieces for day and night. Definitely out for 2007 is copycat dressing; style is all about far fetching imagination.

Sonja Snoops 2007: A Collective Look at the Fashionable Year

Predictions, hopes and inspirations from various visionaries in Toronto's style community