FASHION Magazine

Sunny Fong drew inspiration for his latest Vawk collection from a collage exhibit by New York-based Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu that was presented at the AGO earlier this year, so it seemed only fitting that he show at the gallery where it all began. Bright and intimate, the gallery’s Walker Court was the perfect platform for a show that fell somewhere on the map between sun-drenched Spain and the tribal tones of Africa. Intricate lattice work, stylized animal print, body-hugging, sculpted leather, flap patch pockets and a riff on zebra stripes in chiffon ruffles were subtle takes on the theme. The best of this cross-cultural fusion were the luxe-looking, mini croc-print bolero jackets and a stringy, swingy fringe dress done up in ombré berry shades. Our ony gripe? We were nearly lulled to sleep by the soft, continuous tribal beat Muzak.

See a gallery of the Vawk collection»

Read our full coverage of Toronto Fashion Week»

House of Groves designer Jennifer Waters is excited for her LG Fashion Week debut. “I am definitely someone who works best under pressure,” she says. “I both hate and love adrenaline, the panic, the rush and the undercurrent of excitement that is in every activity that you do in the last couple of weeks leading up to this.” The designer, who uses eco-friendly or natural fabrics in her designs, took our Fashion Week First-Timers Questionnaire. See what she had to say after the jump.

Photographer Jonathan Loek went backstage before the Greta Constantine show to capture the preparations for the label’s Spring 2011 show.

View a gallery of behind-the-scenes images»

Read our full coverage of Toronto Fashion Week»

We stopped by the Spoke Club on Friday evening for the presentation of Juma‘s Spring 2011 collection. Once inside, we were greeted by Juma’s sunset-hued printed scarves–a hint of things to come–hanging from the rafters of the shabby-chic gallery space.

Siofan Davies spoke to Ashley Rowe about her juice-inspired spring show, which she presented last week in Toronto. See a gallery of the full Ashley Rowe Spring 2011 collection» Read our full coverage of Toronto Fashion Week»

The post Video: Ashley Rowe talks about her spring collection appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

The scene outside 161 Spadina Ave. on Friday evening for the Greta Constantine Spring 2011 show conjured up memories of the fashion mob outside the Armoury at the Marc Jacobs show. But unlike MJ, who learned his lesson about late start times, GC designers Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill kept the mass of eds, buyers and bloggers, crammed into a small room for an hour (for a somewhat impromptu pre-show cocktail party) before being seated (finally!) for the show.

Coco Rocha opened the show and word has it that she personally contacted Wong and Pickersgill about making an appearance. (Note: You know you’ve made it when…)
The collection was comprised of a few leading colour players: earthy shades like rusty red and loden green, and lighter hues such as blush and a lovely dove grey. Lots of signature twists, knots, and pleats came out to play, as did one fabulous ’70s-inspired one-shouldered one-piece. (Bianca Jagger would approve.) The slick haven’t-washed-my-hair-in-a-week tresses got lost in translation–no wonder Miss Coco opted for a sleek side-parted low knot. Stand-outs included the flowing white goddess gowns cinched with wide blush toned belts, the custom treasure chest–inspired wedges, the LBD with the sexy cape back and the line-up of blush-toned gowns that closed the show. Slipping into one of these dreamy confections would be pure heaven.

See a gallery of the Greta Constantine show»

Read our full coverage of Toronto Fashion Week»

This just in: Canadian beauty Coco Rocha is set to walk exclusively for Greta Constantine at their Spring 2011 runway show tonight! “Coco has been one of our biggest supporters from the start,” explains Stephen. “She’s always excited to wear our designs and to lend a hand when she can. Best of all, she embodies all […]

The post Coco Rocha to walk in the Greta Constantine Spring 2011 show appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

A buzzing crowd filed into a cavernous concrete space at the Brickworks last night for the Art of Progression presentation, featuring the Spring 2011 collections from Joeffer Caoc, DimitriChris and Nada. The chilly evening air wafted in through the rafters–through which the moon made a pretty appearance–leaving many a mini-skirted patron complaining of fingers almost too numb to Tweet the proceedings (almost).

First up, after a sponsor-placed Audi drove the length of the runway, daringly close to front-rowers’ toes, Joeffer Caoc sent out a wide variety of looks, ranging from slinky striped jersey dresses to Barbie-pink satin tops to shipshape relaxed navy suiting shown with spangled silver tanks.

Next, menswear designer DimitriChris pushed the envelope of businesswear, showing a shrunken tailored capelet and a candy-striped suit that seemed more fit for the breakfast table than the boardroom.

Finally, Nada designer Nada Shepherd, who recently opened her first store uptown at Bayview Village, took things in a sophisticated direction with crisp crosshatch-print linen separates, trim belted jackets with sharp origami-esque pleats at the front, and a finale parade of four royal blue jersey columns.

See a gallery of the full Joeffer Caoc, DimitriChris and Nada shows»

Amanda Lew Kee has acheived a lot for a recent Ryerson University graduate. The self-described high-end streetwear designer has caught the attention of such
Derek Blasberg, Glen Baxter, Adrian Mainella and Derick Chetty, and Lew Kee dressed fellow Canadian Shenae Grimes for the 2010 Much Music Video Awards. Lew Kee took time out of her preparations for her LGFW show debut to take our Fashion Week First-Timer questionnaire. Read her answers after the jump.

When a designer dips into tie-dye, you expect they’ve been influenced by a historical reference (Chip & Pepper tracksuit–wearing surf kids of the late ’80s? Dead Heads in psychedelic T-shirts?) or perhaps a traditional technique, like the Japanese shibori treatment utilized by Proenza Schouler, but for Toronto’s Ashley Rowe, the point of inspiration was juice. […]

The post Toronto notes: Ashley Rowe presents a juice-inspired tie-dye collection appeared first on FASHION Magazine.

Toronto-based clothing and textile designer Sarah Stevenson is making her debut at Spring 2011 LG Fashion Week in more ways than one: she’s showing on its runway for the first time and the show also marks the launch of her line, Sarah Stevenson Design. Stevenson is the first LGFW neophyte to take our our Fashion Week First-Timer questionnaire. Read all about it after the jump.

Husbands, fiancés, boyfriends and boy toys aside, there aren’t too many men that we would trudge through the pelting rain to see, but Philip Sparks is definitely one of them. Up on the 6th floor of the Burroughes Building last night, Sparks finally revealed his long-awaited debut womenswear collection for Spring 2011. From the chambray shirts to the plaid blazers to the sweet shirtwaists, it was a vintage-inspired medley of must-haves that complemented his menswear collection. Known for his impeccable tailoring and heirloom aesthetic, Sparks managed to carefully balance the nostalgia factor (country girl-inspired print romper) with a contemporary flair (skinny, cropped, high-waisted trousers). Overall, the collection felt very wearable (which every smart designer knows is no longer a dirty word) and set the perfect mood for the season to come. Innocent, charming, romantic: Who wouldn’t want to be a Philip Sparks girl?  Buyers, start your orders.

See a gallery of the full Philip Sparks show»