FASHION Magazine

With great talent and a whole lot of personality, Jessica Biffi became instant BFFs with fans of the hit reality show, Project Runway Canada. For this promising designer, reality beyond TV only gets more exciting. In addition to working on the launch of her private label, she is dreaming up some ambitious endeavors to tackle both the plus size and menswear markets.I caught up with Biffi over Italian soda as she prepares sketches for her upcoming spring collection. Between fans snatching photos on the street, we shop for sneakers, try on makeup and talk fashion.

It’s pretty easy to cruise though life, flying under the radar and going about your fashionable business.  But, for Calgary-based designer Leo Casuga Jr., that simply isn’t an option.  After slogging it out in the financial world for several years, Casuga decided to listen to his gut and jump ship to pursue a life in design.  

Clayton Evans is busy, busy, busy and his Complexgeometries line (available at Reborn, complexgeometries.com) is getting so much attention and praise. I had the Alberta-born, Montreal-based designer, who recently showed his Fall 2009 collection, “…between good and evil,” answer some questions, loosely inspired by the designs. But first, the completely self-taught scissor master would probably appreciate if I told you a bit about the concept behind his latest creations. Evans describes his inspiration as “the grey zone existing between right and wrong.” The palette is mostly black, white and grey and the designs are made without an obvious front or back, allowing you to wear them however you like. Even better, Evans suggests that his large collars and capes “can be used to create modesty or conceal shame.” Since when do designers think about our obsessing over little flaws when creating a piece of clothing? So here’s Evans’ world in five little questions–my own condensed Proust questionnaire!

We always look forward to the Greta Constantine (gretaconstantine.com) show. Designers Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill are the go-to pair for silk jersey dresses that are ready to party party. (Their frocks have been spotted on the likes of Jennifer Hudson, Kreesha Turner, Iman and Nelly Furtado.) So when we heard they were doing pants for fall, we had to talk.

I should really have titled my blog: Proof that good things come out of Winnipeg.

My recent interview with former Winnipegger, Lara Vincent can attest to that. While she didn’t end up staying in the city, she did move on to explore the world and spread the gifts of her creativity.

This month I was lucky enough to have a cross-country chat with the lovely Carlie Wong (carliewong.com).  Her sleek Spring 2009 collection caught the eye of fashion elite and her Fall 2009 outing is about to hit the runway at LG Fashion Week.

Sunday is a day of relaxing and that is exactly what I did as I sat back in my seat, watching with sparkling eyes as models graced the runway at the Building Our Future Fashion Show, which featured some of the city’s most distinguished independent designers including Rebecca King, Niki Gerety and Sova Design.

Imagine if Jules Verne designed jewellery. Picture it and you’ll get the idea behind the beautiful, yet distinctly utilitarian necklaces, cufflinks, pendants, rings and ties clips created by Islander Matt Bowness.

My quest against the cold isn’t over dear readers and I’ve had enough of dressing down for winter, looking like a warm-but-ordinary gal. I’m infusing grace and style into my look and at the same time, a little wind from Paris is blowing between my ears.

Well, I’d have to say that the most exciting new thing to hit Vancouver on the fashion front recently, is of course Terri Potratz Larry knitwear. It’s no wonder Jennifer Campbell scooped up the story for the Style Snack blog here on fashionmagazine.com. Terri was my fierce but friendly competitor in the Reporter Search competition and I must give it up to her for such an impressive accomplishment with Larry.

Winter has been coming down so hard in Montreal the past couple of weeks that it’s hard to keep it stylish without freezing out to death on the streets.

By Jennifer Campbell

Though we’ve started peppering our site with the signs of spring fashion, one look out the window will tell you that we’re still in the throes of winter. Luckily for us, designers sent superbly oversized knits down the fall runways.

In the same vein, designer and founding editor of theconveyorbelt.com Terri Potratz has created a line of eco-aware knits to keep out the chill. Larry is a collection of chunky scarves, shawls and cowls hand-knit with B.C. alpaca by Potratz herself.