Saturday, March 30, 2013

CANADIAN CONTENT: VOGUE APRIL 2013

TODD LYNN
VOGUE
APRIL 2013
PAGE 314

WORDS FROM CANADIANS

Every now and then I hear something that must be shared…from the CBC, CANADIAN ACTRESS KRISTIN LEHMAN in an interview with GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS.

Context: they were discussing life in Canada…

Kristin said she had recently been asked the question;
“Are you ever called out for being a Canadian? Like have you ever given it away?

Her reply;

“I didn’t know I was hiding the fact that I’m Canadian. Canada is a country, a big, huge, beautiful, tremendous country. Why would we not say that we have a place in the world? It’s about presenting what we are right now in the world and maybe in the course of exploring that we can find some equanimity in presenting that.”

you can find the whole interview from March 28, CBC, GEORGE STROUMBOULOPOULOS,episode 126 @ http://www.cbc.ca/player/Shows/ID/2362951888/

THANKS to Kristin and George...

Friday, March 29, 2013

CANADIAN CONTENT: FASHION MAY 2013

FROM "FASHION" MAGAZINE MAY 2013

It's their "Annual-Age-Issue", that strange-thing-that-those-in-the-fashion-magazine-world-like-to-do in tribute-to-women-of-all-ages. They begin on page 67 with a shot of a sweet baby, chewing a "miu miu" stack-heel platform-sole sandal, followed by copious pages of cosmetics-to-keep-you-looking-young, a "go-ahead-and-age" article from actor/writer; Andrew McCarthy, which includes tiny shots of 5 actresses, who have allowed themselves to be shown aged-and-beautiful, and then, the now-aged-but-you didn't-look-like-her-then-and-you-sure-won't-now, model, 68, Donna Demarco*, playing Mrs Robinson, the artfully-airbrushed Winona Ryder, oh, and I-see-a-few-wrinkles but the-lighting-is-anything-but-natural shot of Anne Carson, and an article about performance-artist Marina Abramovic, looking nothing like she appears in real-life or in-performance. Yes, this small handful amidst almost 200 pages of if-they-are-they-barely-are, 20-somethings, an issue devoted to age...ah, the "real" vision of those-in-the-Magazine-world.

Right, I was looking for Canadian content. From the editorials:

A nod to Fashion-magazine's-go-to-CANADIAN-DESIGNER, ARTHUR MENDONCA, in the article with pics "GAMON- From slouchy Bermudas to sharp suits, shorts have made the leap from vacation wear to big city staple".
Arthur comments " I've always liked (them) as a skirt substitute..." Note to designer, careful on the "always", could bite you... page 51

COMRAGS gets a dress in an editorial spread on florals.
page 72

Donna Demarco */ Mrs Robinson in a hint of a CHRISTINE LINGERIE slip. page 154

The "SHOPS" pages offer up:

from Montreal:
BODYBAG BY JUDE, and an interview with "unisex fashion designer" PEDRAM KARIMI. page 160

From Toronto:
An interview with Toronto handbag designer; SNEHA VARMA page 162

From Vancouver:
Vancouver Island's (its a very big island, with several cities, I wonder which one?) ELIZA FAULKNER, who gets a nice shot of a top-and-skirt-combo in, and Vancouver's BETH RICHARDS (way to go) gets interviewed on her Swimwear-collection-inspirations. page 168

Their finale page:
"PATRIOT LOVE"; which this month offers up LUCIAN MATIS and the story and pics of his Spring 2013 ochre-hued, crocodile-embossed cowhide pieces. Good one!

All that plus a pull-out catalogue of Hermes' scarves and a stunning editorial - "Super-Graphics" shot by Chris Nicholls and styled by Zeina Esmail.

Happy May...I know, its only April 04, but this is magazine-world....

*see-Donna-then, in my -post: CANADIAN DESIGNERS, BERNARD MCGEE AND SHELLEY WICKABROD / CLOTHESLINES

ARTHUR MENDONCA - http://arthurmendonca.ca/
COMRAGS- http://www.comrags.com/
CHRISTINE LINGERIE - http://www.christinelingerie.com
BODYBAG BY JUDE - http://www.bodybagbyjude.com/en/
PEDRAM KARIMI - http://pedramkarimi.com/
SNEHA VARMA - http://snehavarma.com/
ELIZA FAULKNER - http://elizafaulkner.com/
BETH RICHARDS - http://bethrichards.com/about.php
LUCIAN MATIS - http://www.lucianmatis.com/

CLOTHESLINES

I love what I am doing here at “CLOTHINGCANADAFASHION”. I get to promote Canadians and Canada! I get to do a lot of interesting research to do so, and, I get to write about my findings. On occasion I get to write about someone or something I know firsthand. Bonus!

BERNARD MCGEE AND SHELLEY WICKABROD / CLOTHESLINES.

I was in first-year-fashion at Ryerson (then Polytechnic) in the fall-of-1979. There were tickets available for a show. I had no idea who “CLOTHESLINES” was, but I said yes to the ticket and went. A pair-of-my-professors was present, big room, big crowd, big catwalk; yeah, yeah, the lights dimmed and the music started (so young, so jaded!).

The runway was stormed by the most amazing Canadian models, 3 to 5 at a time, larger than life, in clothes that had me fully hang-jawed through their complete ramping. I was so overcome, I was actually in tears. I had never witnessed such a spectacle. This was The-Paris-London-France-High-Fashion-World right here in Toronto. As a student I thought I would have to leave Canada to be a part of such a world, and now I discovered it was right here in Canada as well, and it was amazing. Broad-shouldered-sportswear, cut with geometric-and-uniform-precision. Gala-gowns, not-fussy-but-fantastic, they filled the runway with a certain glamour and an attitude. It turned out my-in-class-giveaway was a winning ticket and the prize was heart-pounding-inspiration.

I was hooked. I was excited by their ads in the-then-new-and-only-seasonal Toronto Life Fashion magazine. I ventured past my comfort-zone and into their very shiny and new second-floor-50-Bloor-Street-West boutique. BERNARD MCGEE AND SHELLEY WICKABROD were celebrities.

In my-early-designer-days I would encounter Shelley on Queen Street, enough times that we, although I-knew-she-did-not-know-me-but-I-her-way, always nodded a happy hello. Wow. Their charismatic take on fashion boomed throughout the 1980’s, their shows gained in notoriety, their spectacle at the 1988 Festival of Canadian Fashion was one of the very few in a-throng-that-were-lost on an overly-ambitious-catwalk, to not only stand up, but out. Their ads, in a Toronto-Life-Fashion-that-became-more-frequent were always spot-on, always laid out in a precise grid, always with The-Iconic-Donna-Demarco, and the new fashion offerings always had their-very-signature-look. Their politics made headlines, when they decided to shutter-the-shop over the newly imposed GST. Thankfully they reopened it. They “colleagued” with the smart-set of Toronto glamour. They holidayed at “The Breakers” in Newport.

CLOTHESLINES WINTER 1987

I saw and knew people in “The-Clotheslines-Trench”, a Toronto-legend-in-its-own-time, a perfect coat, so perfect that people owned it in multiple. It looked good. It felt good. It was practical. It was massively-shouldered and dramatically-long. The Clotheslines Trench, one-of-those-GREAT-CANADIAN-COATS, had form and fashion and functionality.

CLOTHESLINES FASHION APRIL 1984

At that time I had never actually-met Shelley, and I never saw Bernard, “live”, or alive, he passed-away in 1991. “Clotheslines” was shut.

Gone, but not forgotten. The famous trench was recreated-with-permission by CANADIAN DESIGNER, LINDA LUNDSTROM, who was at the time being widely recognised for her LAPARKA (see blog post) and her take-on-the-trench, and the cherished originals were worn until they were worn out. Fade.

1996, I was the-Chair-of-Fashion-Design-at-the-International-Academy-of-Design-and-Technology. I received a complete resume from Shelley, and a letter of her intention to become an instructor. I couldn’t believe she had thought someone-in-fashion-in-this-city would not have known her by name and reputation, although I would come to know that Ms. Wickabrod never “put-on-airs, nor assumed she was-for-any-reason-beyond-following-protocol, as some in her position might. It was a delight to finally meet her. I without-question took her on as an instructor. She regaled the students with stories of fashion, her dogs, her career, and her Bernard, and in doing so taught them much more than the pattern drafting that was at hand. I don’t think they knew just how lucky they were at the time, although I have heard some recount with a different perspective since. She and I shared time and I too got to hear her tales, and she mine. We seemed to have worked the same mine at some point! I also got to meet, through her most vivid memories, Bernard McGee.

2005, we both left the International Academy at about the same time, I haven’t seen her in several years, but memory is a great thing. Shelley, has since, among other things, written her memoir “Love Affair: Before and After Death”, and I have gone on to write this blog and made a part-time return to teaching. As I said at the beginning, “On occasion I don’t have to do research as I know the people or the product firsthand. Bonus” In this instance it has been, as well, an honour.

My heartfelt “Thank You” to Shelley and Bernard, Canadian Fashion Stars who continue to shine in my night sky.

Friday, March 22, 2013

WORDS

The excitement of Toronto-Fashion-Week is pretty much over. The shOws have shown. WMCTFW gave us their best, and Dare-to-Wear-Love put CANADIAN PEOPLE in CANADIAN DESIGNERS clothes, off-and-on-the-runway, for an amazing cause and the-last-big-hurrah of the season. AMAZING ALL!

I love fashion and I love Canada. The big events of the past few weeks make me reflect on the-past-and-the-present, mine-and-others. I so want success for CANADIAN DESIGNERS, it's why I write this blog, to try to make sense of this world and show it off for others, especially when its not quite so-in-season. We fall off the radar quickly when the media moves its attention elsewhere. My passion for this topic is endless.

GLOBE AND MAIL 1987 FLARE MAGAZINE APRIL 1987

I started on design side of the industry in 1979, I've been a gofer, a famous designer, a behind-the-scenes-technician, a teacher, and a corporate middle man. I've been well-off and on-welfare. Nothing seems to get in my way of being a man-with-a-plan, a-designer-of-some-sort, an artist and an idiot.

I loved being a CANADIAN FASHION DESIGNER, although teaching stole my heart away many years ago...

GLOBE AND AND MAIL 1987

I learned a lot being a designer, and I gleefully pass it on. I make sure to include a solid dose of reality amongst the words I say to my students. I got it then and I get it now. Survival, no matter where-in-the-world the CANADIAN DESIGNER may wish to go, requires cash.

I know my students hear me, they groan whenever I bring up the combination of design-sense-needing-money-sense, which is often. I am so pleased when those out-in-practice-of-the-profession utter the same words. I know students well enough to know they don't think of school as-being-a-part-of-the-real-world and so here I quote from-those-they-do-see-as-real!

From several Canadian designers in one-on-one conversations with "Flare's-Emily-Ramshaw", on being asked to comment on (among several other topics), "advice for people who are starting out or want to break out as a designer:

From"Flare" magazine's website: http://www.flare.com/ feature; "Morning Coffee" during"WMCTFW" March 2013,

18.03.2013
Kimberley Newport-Mimran / Pink Tartan
"The most important thing is to really learn the technical aspects of it, I think designers, when they first come in, get very caught up in the creativity of it. It is important to be as technically savvy as you are creatively savvy, to be able to pull together a creative garment."

19.03.203
Sid Neigum
."..enter as many competitions as possible and focus on sales..."

20.03.2013
Joe Mimran / Joe Fresh
"You better love what you do, you better work really.really, super hard, make sure you have a point of view, and make sure your point of view has some relevance to the market place or you’ll never get to express it."

21.03.2013
Sunny Fong / Vawk
"The one thing that I know is that you have to treat it like a business. I love the design process, its amazing and its fulfilling, but in the end I think when you make that sale and get that garment out and someone buys it and its worn and that your designs translate to revenue its important. It keeps the business going and its your design."

Thanks for the shows, Thanks for the talent, and Thanks for the words. I hope my students are listening as well as watching....

KIMBERLEY NEWPORT-MIMRAN - http://pinktartan.com/ca/
SID NEIGUM - http://www.sidneigum.com/
JOE MIMRAN / JOE FRESH - http://www.joefresh.com/
SUNNY FONG / VAWK - http://vawk.ca/
FLARE - http://www.flare.com/

CANADIANS ABROAD

A CANADIAN ABROAD

No, she is not a CANADIAN DESIGNER ABROAD, but she is a CANADIAN ARTIST ABROAD,
and her thoughts (and those of a few others that she mentions) on identity and being "tied" to being a Canadian, are of interest to me as I pursue "those creative" who have moved away. Also of note, how those born abroad see us!

an excerpt from:

Meet Canada's ambassador to London's art world

Leah McLaren
Special to The Globe and Mail
PublishedFriday, Mar. 08 2013, 12:40 PM EST

...

"They are images that, as a Canadian abroad, flood me with a deep-in-the-bones sensation of home. “You see, there’s a path through the forest, but it’s not clear where it leads,” she says, pointing to the large drawing of the British Columbian woods above her mantel. But looking at the light streaming through the redwoods, I feel the opposite of lost. I am utterly and gratefully found.

Charsley-Jory is preparing to mount her first Dulwich show, Bright Land: West of the Rockies, South of the Thames. Running from March 26 to May 19, the small exhibition is inspired by the 2011-12 Dulwich blockbuster, Painting Canada: Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. That earlier exhibit, sponsored by, among others, Canadian art dealer Ash Prakash and this newspaper, proved both a critical and financial success – one that succeeded so thoroughly in its goal of raising the international profile of classic Canadian art that the Dulwich is now taking a more prolonged interest in the artistic legacy of our fair nation. There is another large-scale show of the work of Emily Carr planned for next year, and rumours swirl of a David Milne exhibit in the works after that.

Meanwhile, Charsley-Jory has spent the past several months teaching the art of landscape painting to students at the Dulwich, with an emphasis on the Group of Seven. “Their work is more vigorous than the Impressionists,” she says. “The lack of figures makes the viewer feel swallowed up by the landscape, as if they’re the only person for miles around.” There is nothing folksy or pastoral about these wilderness scenes, which seem “as regular as Kraft Dinner” to Canadians, but are, she points out, still fairly exotic to her British students.

While she says that all of her students have been captivated by the idea of adventure in the rugged, pristine wilderness, some take the notion to laughable extremes. “One woman actually said to me, ‘I didn’t know Canadians had time to paint – I thought they’d be much too busy hiking and canoeing."

...

" We sit in her living room and talk some more about Canadian artists, old and new. In addition to the Group of Seven, she’s a fan of such contemporary artists as Canadian-reared painter Peter Doig, photographer Jeff Wall and sculptor Brian Jungen, all of whom, she points out, “have more international careers and don’t particularly want to be slotted as Canadian.”

Yet Charsley-Jory, whose work is more in a traditional landscape vein, is happy to identify as Canadian. Like an out-of-time voyageur, it has almost become her job to spread the word, and the images, of Canadian landscape art."

BRAVO for spreading the word....

WESTERN CANADA FASHION WEEK EDMONTON

http://www.westerncanadafashionweek.com/

CANADIAN DESIGNER COLLECTIONS

Fashion is not only in the Toronto/Montreal core! I have lived in Toronto for some 30+ years, but you can't take the Vancouver-born-and-raised-with-the-pride-of-the-west out of me...This Edmonton event includes a cross section of "out-west-designers", from start-up to well-established, from international-ready-to-wear to home-kept-couture. The buzz starts today, and the Collections hit the catwalk next week.

Some notes on a few, from their websites...

ANGÉLIQUE CHMIELEWSKI
"Angélique was born and raised in Edmonton, Canada. After pursuing broad studies at the University of Alberta, she moved to New York City to study Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Upon graduation, she began the creation of her inaugural line in the Fall of 2011.
The brand is inspired by human experiences and the idea that clothing can be a vehicle used to express one’s emotions, thoughts and ideals. What we wear everyday is an expression of our unique personalities and contributes to the stories of our lives. We believe everyone has a unique story to tell and our collections seek to provide pieces that help tell those stories. Striving to create original pieces with a focus on quality materials and comfortable fit, we work closely with a few select local manufacturers to help ensure the highest attention to detail.
The ANGÉLIQUE CHMIELEWSKI studio is currently based in New York City."

KAADIKI
"Libyan-born, Toronto-bred, HAITHEM ELKADIKI is a source of international style who continues to challenge the norm in Canadian menswear by offering sleek silhouettes, whimsical graphics and a bold colour palette through his label KaaDiki.
Elkadiki is a graduate of the International Academy of Design in Toronto and studied graphic design at the Applied Multimedia Centre in Calgary, where he now resides and creates the KaaDiki collections.
When designing a collection, Elkadiki sources his world travels and experiences, instead of relying on trends. "I do not create fantasy clothes, but they are distinguishable and incomparable to off-the-rack clothing," he says. Past collections have reflected the styling and energy of fashionable cities such as, Milan, New York, and Zurich.
KaaDiki collections focus on mixing traditional men's wear construction techniques with contemporary silhouettes that have a well-proportioned and fashionable appearance. KaaDiki details include patch pockets placed in an unpredictable spot, omitting elements like buttons from a jacket, or whimsical graphics silk screened on t-shirts or button downs.

STANLEY CARROLL
"STANLEY CARROLL launched his first fashion collection in 1983, and has since gone on to design both mens and womenswear collections that have been marketed across North America and Europe. With a design concept based heavily on a creative and distinct look, he has garnered a great deal of critical acclaim and an intensely loyal following. Stanley continues to create clothing that reflects a handcrafted aesthetic, which he sells through national and international popup shops and online marketing campaigns."

GENTLE FAWN / DANNY AND CARLA HOGG
10 years ago,DANIEL AND CARLA HOGG founded GENTLE FAWN; inspired by a rare collection of antique ceramic fawns. Today, the original fawn remains as the symbol of the company’s creative beginnings and its design inspiration.
Gentle Fawn is a young-contemporary and imaginative line of clothing known for its distinctive prints and graphics as well as casual, yet feminine aesthetic. Our style is clean and modern, with details giving each piece of clothing personality. Gentle Fawn brings high-quality design, fabrics and construction to our customers for attainable prices. The collections always reflect a strong sense of fashion and never neglect the charming nature that sets Gentle Fawn apart from the rest.
Gentle Fawn is a fun and energetic brand and this reflects the lives and philosophies of the entire Gentle Fawn team. Over the years, we have maintained a loyal customer base, giving us valuable feedback and allowing us to continue improving our fits, fabrics and designs. Paying close attention to fine details and the quality of all products has ensured that Gentle Fawn delivers nothing but the best.
Gentle Fawn is currently sold in more than 600 multi-brand stores throughout North America. The brand is expanding globally, with current distribution in the UK, Sweden, Korea, and Japan

TURN LEFT ON HOUSTON / DANNY AND CARLA HOGG
Houston Street is known to many in the fashion community as a dividing point through the epicenter for all things design, art, and culture related. It is where old meets new and modern thinking allows for an unconventional left of center approach.
Family Business Distribution introduced its first collection in 2002. Owners – husband and wife team DANNY AND CARLA HOGG have a combined total of 20 years experience in the fashion industry. Together they have assembled a team of the industry’s most talented professionals; bringing you the Fall 2008 launch of Left on Houston.
Left on Houston will build on the success of what Family Business does best; quality design and manufacturing for women’s clothing, now with a new focus on knits.
When you TURN LEFT ON HOUSTON – you are free to go anywhere

note: the following are excerpted from the overall weeks other activities...see the website for complete rundown - http://www.westerncanadafashionweek.com/

TUESDAY MARCH 26, 2013: Collections: 7pm door-8pm show $25.00
Bano eeMee- Calgary
Trisha Pasnak
LIsa-Marie Sciroli
Patience Soyege
Melany Rowe – Evening and Bridal
WEDNESDAY MARCH 27 2013: Collections: 7pm door-8pm show $25.00
Gypsy Eyes Prairie Skies
Nicole Campre
Gentle Fawn presented by Bamboo Ballroom
LUXX Ready to Wear
Left on Houston- Vancouver presented by Bamboo Ballroom
THURSDAY MARCH 28, 2013: Collections: 7pm door-8pm show $25.00
Kaadiki- Menswear /Womenswear Calgary
Emogene Couture- Calgary
Stanley Carroll- Menswear/ Womenswear
Angelique Chmielewski NYC
WED MARCH 20 2013 Doors 7:pm show $15.00 off site opening show
Malorie Urbanovitch

ANGÉLIQUE CHMIELEWSKI - http://angeliquechmielewski.com/
KAADIKI / HAITHEM ELKADIKI - http://www.kaadiki.com/
STANLEY CARROLL - http://www.stanleycarroll.com/
TURN LEFT ON HOUSTON / DANNY & CARLA HOGG - http://www.leftonhouston.com
WESTERN CANADA FASHION WEEK - http://www.westerncanadafashionweek.com/

Thursday, March 14, 2013

LACERDA, TAI, GALLAGHER AND BALINT

FROM FASHION:

Designers on our radar for Fall 2013

By Caitlin Agnew | March 12th, 2013 | 3:00 pm

LACERDA

Designer: Vinicius Lacerda, 23

Aesthetic: The high school uniform of the coolest girl you knew in the '90's.

Bio: Born is Sao Paulo, this Toronto-based designer cut his teeth at Line Knitwear.

This is his debut collection.

What to Expect: Clean silhouettes, eccentric prints and textures, menswear-inspired tops and pleated, knee-length skirts.

STEVEN TAI

Designer: Steven Tai, 28

Aesthetic: Geek chic with a hint of Celine.

Bio: Born in Macau and raised in Vancouver, Tai attended Central Saint Martins before showing his debut collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Berlin. He's also interned at Chalayan, Viktor & Rolf and Stella McCartney and counts Yohji Yamamoto as a fan.

What to Expect: The colourful, oversized pieces were made with a trip to the Alps in mind and feature experiments with customized silicon and showpiece embroidery.

MAISON MATHEW GALLAGHER

Designer: Mathew Gallagher, 26

Aesthetic: Old World elegance meets twenty-first century minimalism.

Bio: This Canadian designer spent time in New York, Halifax and Montreal before moving to Milan in 2008 where he attended the Isituto Europea di Design and worked as a freelance illustrator for Ports 1961. He launched MMG in 2010.

What to expect: Sophisticated evening wear in a palette of neutrals,with pops of maroon and a sexy thigh-slit or two.

THOMAS BALINT

Designer: Michael Thomas Balint, 28

Aesthetic: Dark and stormy with a Hungarian twist.

Bio: Trained in sculpture at OCAD University in Toronto, Balint co-founded Thomas in 2010 before striking out on his own. He also mans a flagship location in a second-floor studio on Queen West.

What to Expect: Androgynous pieces built for a multifaceted layering inspired by the designer's background in sculpting.

For full article with images:
http://www.fashionmagazine.com/blogs/fashion/at-the-shows/2013/03/12/toronto-fashion-week-new-designers-fall-2013/5/

DISCLAIMER: IN MY ATTEMPT TO PUT ALL THINGS "CLOTHINGCANADAFASHON" IN ONE PLACE I HAVE POSTED THE ABOVE IMAGES AND/OR TEXT. IF THIS IS OF INFRINGEMENT ON ANY COPYWRIGHT YOU MAY HAVE, OR YOU DO NOT WISH TO HAVE THIS POST LISTED FOR OTHER REASONS, PLEASE NOTIFY ME AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE AND I WILL REMOVE IT IMMEDIATLEY. IT IS NOT MY PEROGATIVE TO UTILIZE ANY OF THE ABOVE FOR COMMERCIAL VENTURES. IF THIS WERE THE CASE I WOULD REQUEST PERMISSION PREVIOUS TO USE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.

DUY NGUYEN

FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH DUY @ FRANK

"DUY Nguyen earned many fans for his sharp tailoring and innovative designs since the launch of his eponymous high-end, ready-to-wear label in 2011. DUY collections evoke a timeless elegance, thanks to the designer’s penchant for luxurious fabrics and masterfully detailed patterns. His designs have been internationally recognized and most recently, he won the prestigious 2012 Mercedes-Benz Start Up award and was able to present his collection during World Mastercard Fashion Week Toronto in front of an international audience.

frank spoke to Duy about the DUY woman, his Canadian-inspired A/W2013 collection and how winning the Mercedes-Benz Start Up Award helped his label..."

FOR THE ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW SEE:

http://www.thisfranklife.com/post/45197454660/wmcfw-five-x-five-duy-duy-nguyen-earned-many

JEAN-PIERRE BRAGANZA

GREAT INTERVIEW WITH JEAN-PIERRE BRAGANZA @ REALSTYLE MAGAZINE

http://www.realstylenetwork.com/Magazine/Spring2013/index.html

http://www.realstylenetwork.com/Magazine/Spring2013/index.html#/24/

"London-born, Canadian-bred (he moved to Canada as an infant) and internationally known for is strong style- that's Jean-Pierre Braganza. Braganza's designs are known for their sharp angles and succinct tailoring, but we see a lighter side of the designer emerge beautifully for spring as he merges art with fashion. he reveals to us how his new collection takes inspiration from the prints of Kiev-based artist Zinaida Lihacheva. The result? A collection that blends fantasy and (of course) strength. The perfect cocktail fora brand new season."

Go to issue for one-on-one interview...

FUTURSTATE

FROM: http://fashionarttoronto.ca/2013/03/10/futurstate/

Arts & Fashion Week

April 23-27, 2013

FUTURSTATE

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Futurstate, we have taken the challenge to re-envision it 10X into the future; the look has become known for is modern, hard-edged and unflinching. Inspiration for the collection includes sci-fi, fetish, post-apocalyptic visuals, and many dystopian daydreams. This season, the style for men is extremely structured with an industrial utilitarian militant look. For women, the style ranges from sharply refined industrial to a sleek and decadent look, with underground aristocratic feel. Overall the mood of this collection is striking, powerful and invincible.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY
Futurstate is a Toronto based design company founded by designer Laura Stewart in 2003. Inspired by underground subcultures and alternative clubbing and music scenes, Stewart has created a fashion brand that encompasses a seamless look of dystopian style. It’s her love of creating striking fashion statements – how fashion can be transformational both physically and emotionally – that drives the design. The club-wear and street-wear collection has a dark and modern aesthetic, with a sci-fi industrial look. The range includes designs for both men and women, and has been selling successfully online to fans around the world. Futurstate has been featured in several alternative fashion magazines including Gothic Beauty, Auxiliary Magazine, and Alt Fashion UK. Recently Stewart has launched a second label, Victory & Vice, which further investigates her dark and modern vision. Its look is bold and contemporary with an edgy and raw aesthetic also quite dark in nature.

JOHN FLUEVOG SHOES

QUOTATIONS TAKEN FROM:

What’s better than a great communication strategy?

Ken Tencer

Special to The Globe and Mail

PublishedWednesday, Mar. 13 2013, 5:00 AM EDT

"Founded in 1970 in Vancouver as a single, vintage shoe store, Fluevog now has 14 locations across North America and an amazing website where one can find this tongue in cheek corporate philosophy, ‘Moses used tablets, Picasso used paints, God used Moses, Alex G Bell used the telephone and John Fluevog uses shoes. Great minds of the past have used a variety of mediums to communicate their messages – since the beginning of time (or at least John) John has even been using the soles and foot socks of his shoes to communicate with the world.’ Compare this statement of purpose to the mission statements of most companies, and it’s evident that Fluevog has a pretty eclectic audience in mind.

Other than great shoes and briefcases, what compels me about Fluevog is its ability to connect on a whimsical and functional level with its customers. It has replaced a one-way communication strategy with what I’m going to call an open, two-way ‘Conversation Strategy.' Today, a communication strategy can incorporate online dialogue tools. However, too many of us have simply carried forward the old “tell our story” approach to these new media, and that isn’t good enough.

Just being present on social media platforms isn’t enough to generate buzz and revenues. What Fluevog has managed to do is to use social media to seek out and attract kindred spirits to the brand. In addition to Fluemarket, a site where consumers can buy, sell or swap, Fluevog shoes, the company reaches out to potential designers through Open Source Footwear, where the best ideas are actually made into shoes and the designer given credit."

FOR FULL ARTICLE SEE:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-digital/innovation/whats-better-than-a-great-communication-strategy-conversation/article9600803/

RUDSAK

FROM IT'S ALL STYLE TO ME.COM

March 13, 2013 By Spiro Mandylor
http://itsallstyletome.com/2013/03/13/preview-rudsak-fallwinter-2013/

Returning to the frontier of disco and glamour, the collection draws influence from the new age era of pop culture while remaining faithful to the brand’s rugged DNA. Think memories of stardust flash like glowing neon lights, rejuvenating dreams of travelling through space on rockets. Lightning designs, metallic paints and bold contrasts manifest a brave new fashion.
An array of outerwear, prêt-à-porter clothing, footwear, handbags and accessories will strut down the runway for both women and men. Darkness reigns the catwalk as galactic black prevails throughout the collection, neutrals of browns and khakis hit like meteorites, and metallics glimmer like stardust.
Women’s early season staples include waist-cinched short leather perfectos, while transitional coats sit mid-thigh, forming subtle A-lines in shape. Asymmetrical parkas cast an elegant hourglass silhouette of the body’s form for a stylish winter look. Men’s single and double-breasted coats are boxy, as are down-filled jackets with center-front closures. The footwear leaps sky-high with chunky-heels while designs stay low with off-duty bikers and equestrian heels. Boots are lined with pony hair or shearling for an added sense of dashing allure. Whether you’re walking the city streets or off on a weekend escapade, the Fall/Winter 2013 Collection of handbags are functional yet cleverly constructed in both traditional and textured leathers.
“We are gearing up for our 20^th anniversary in 2014 in a big way,” says designer Evik Asatoorian. “I used subtle inspiration from my past while at the same time staying true to our rebel without a cause DNA. I think of the 70s as my favourite era and wanted to bring that groovy time to life through our designs.”
Rudsak’s signature leather appliqués, exposed hardware, heritage snaps and crests run through the collection, with attention to tailoring, fabric fusions, and raw edges dominating the complete looks. All of these details are what keeps the brand relevant in the fashion scope year after year.
Copy/Images: Rudsak

TORONTO FASHION WEEK / FAT / FASHION ARTS TORONTO

I think this is the last of the schedules for "FASHION WEEK TORONTO"...the week that began on Wednesday March 14 and runs through Saturday April 27!

It began with the now-30-year-veterans and obiquitous-to-fashion-week-team of JUDY CORNISH and JOYCE GUNHOUSE for "COMRAGS", along with another solid handful of Internationally-showing CANADIAN DESIGNERS, at "the shOws", running from March 13-14.

Next up, the in-its-second-season "WORLD MASTERCARD TORONTO FASHION WEEK", March 18-22, with it's roster including veterans DAVID DIXON and STEPHAN CARAS.

With a finale by the art/fashion world of "FAT/FASHION ARTS TORONTO" April 23-27, I've listed all their "live" fashion shows below. (their lineup also includes performance and music and art of other sorts, see their website http://fashionarttoronto.ca/ for complete listings.)

What a week...lol....they do us proud....

COLLECTED, WE STAND

and so it begins...
"clothingcanadafashion"-the blog
this is where the day to day finds appear and from here some will be filtered to
http://www.clothingcanadafashion.com-the/ -the website
...an archive and data base chronicling the
story of Canadian Clothing and Fashion from
pre confederation to the present, and including the garments, the companies and the individuals who are, or have been, a part of our great Canadian clothing and fashion heritage and future.
Please feel free to send any text and/or pics you would like to be added. jamesbf8@hotmail.com

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Friday, March 29, 2013

CLOTHESLINES

BERNARD MCGEE AND SHELLEY WICKABROD / CLOTHESLINES.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Thursday, March 14, 2013

FROM: http://fashionarttoronto.ca/2013/03/10/futurstate/

Arts & Fashion Week

April 23-27, 2013

FUTURSTATE

What’s better than a great communication strategy?

FROM IT'S ALL STYLE TO ME.COM

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