Slice.ca's Primer to LG Toronto Fashion Week
The Spring/Summer 2012 edition of LG Toronto Fashion Week is just around the corner and it’s time for me to dust off my stilettos and head out to the chiffon trenches. But before I hit the tents to check out upcoming styles and trends, I’ll give you the who, what and wear of Fashion Week. From newbies to veterans (and the VIPs, too), Slice.ca has got your style watch covered.
NEWCOMERS
Designers Chloé and Parris Gordon
Chloé Comme Parris
Sibling design duo Chloé and Parris Gordon of Chloé Comme Parris are up-and-coming Canadian designers to watch. While Chloé takes care of the romantically-edgy designs, younger sister Parris is in charge of the accessories. Last season the sister’s christened a new erogenous zone—the hip—and dazzled with icicle-like necklaces and buckles galore. I can’t wait to see how the sisters have evolved this season.
Designer Sarah Stevenson [Photo credit: Kalynn Friesen]
Sarah Stevenson
Clothing and textile designer Sarah Stevenson has found herself in great company. Her graphic prints have been compared to those of Erdem, Proenza Schouler and Prada and have been praised throughout the Canadian fashion industry. Though she only has three LGFW seasons under her belt, she has shown growth and promise each season.
Designer Golnaz Ashtiani
Ashtiani
Golnaz Ashtiani has endured purification through fire. As the winner of the Toronto Fashion Incubator’s 2011 New Labels competition—Ashtiani received $10,000 and a spread in Flare magazine—she has endured six months of competition and critique and has come out on top. For her Spring 2012 collection expect unique designs and strong silhouettes.
VETERANS
Designer David Dixon
David Dixon
Last season, Canadian design veteran David Dixon celebrated his sweet 16 (16 years in the tough Canadian design scene that is) with a career retrospective of his many successful looks. Known for his elegant clothes, Dixon is a go-to designer for women looking for uber-feminine evening wear.
Denis Gagnon
Womenswear designer Denis Gagnon is a Canadian fashion gem. Gagnon is known for his couture-like designs and avant garde aesthetic and his collections never disappoint. Last season, he proved fringe was king with has rock and roll clothes. We can only imagine what he plans to wow us with this year.
Pink Tartan
Kimberley Newport-Mimran is the creative mind behind womenswear label Pink Tartan. Her Canadian prepster designs have garnered a lot of attention on both sides of the border and can be found at top luxury retailers like Holt Renfrew, The Bay, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale's. Does her name sound familiar? It should: Newport-Mimran is one half of Canadian design royalty and is married to Mr. Joe Fresh himself, Joseph Mimran.
Bustle Clothing
Design duos are a dime a dozen in the fashion industry, but a fashion label founded by two lawyers? One in a million. That’s the story for Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow of menswear label Bustle Clothing. The husband and wife duo (and former legal beagles) are behind the Canadian sportswear label that features an unmistakable tailored edge. Expect an interesting runway show and standout collection as Hewson and Promislow often design their collections around a theme.
FRONT ROW VIPs
FASHION magazine Editor-in-Chief, Bernadette Morra [Photo Credit: Vanessa Heins]
The Editors
Canada’s top three fashion magazines (Flare, FASHION and Elle Canada) are always well-represented at LG Fashion Week. Stylish editor-in-chiefs Lisa Tant, Bernadette Morra and Noreen Flanagan are front row mainstays as are their editors Sarah Casselman, Liz Cabral, Susie Sheffman, Mosha Lundstrom-Halbert et al. Former Flare EIC and current Zoomer Magazine head honcho, Suzanne Boyd, is another mainstay as is Toronto Star style writer Derick Chetty, National Post fashion writer Nathalie Atkinson, and the inimitable Jeanne Beker.
Flare magazine Editor-in-Chief, Lisa Tant
Toronto Star style writer, Derick Chetty
The Bloggers
Canada’s blog scene is always evolving and growing but two bloggers stand out: the veteran Anita Clarke of I Want I Got and the newbie, Spiro Mandylor of It’s All Style to Me. Look for expert LGFW coverage from both of these blogger darlings.
I Want I Got blogger, Anita Clarke [photo credit: Paul Baik]
It's All Style to Me blogger, Spiro Mandylor
The Celebs
The front row would not be complete without celebrities, socialites and boldfaced names. Front row regulars include event planner Ainsley Kerr (a Canadian fashion scene fairy godmother who regularly wears Canadian designs) and the beautiful Canadian R&B songstress Keshia Chante.
Event planner Ainsley Kerr
Canadian R&B singer Keshia Chante
Septembre Anderson is a passionate journalist, blogger and fashion enthusiast who lives, works and shops in Toronto, ON. Her work has appeared on FASHIONMagazine.com, FILLERMagazine.com, HuffingtonPost.ca, and in Sway magazine. Read her posts every Wednesday on Slice.ca.
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