It’s a mod, mod world. At least it will be next fall, according to Montreal-based designers Danielle Martinand Pao Lim, the two designers who makeup womenswear label, Martin Lim. Hair was teased and swept back into big bouffants, paired with shift shapes with big blocks of the era’s signature black and white. The counter-balance was found in softer separates in summery hues of violet and coral. Hems and necklines were shredded, allowing for the long, thick strips to trail behind, reminiscent of dangling streamers. Fear not revelers, the party lives on. View all collection images HERE.
Torontonians know all too well how fickle our winter weather can be. One day it is snowing and minus ten, and the next, it’s sunny and hitting positive double digits. So how to dress when you‘ve got to be prepared for anything and everything? Montreal-based designer, Melissa Nepton knows the answer. Her latest collection, inspired by the “Ethereal Nomad,” is a combination of summer colours and light-weight delicate chiffon pieces, paired with oversized and dense chunky knits and heavy wools. It would seem it is no longer about layering for warmth, it is about layering for every weather. View all collection images HERE.
Opening with the infamous scene from Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1966 film, Blow-Up (you know the one with mod photographer, Thomas, rolling around wit supermodel, Veruschka, in a frisky shoot), certainly set the tone for Joe Fresh’s 60s inspired show. Looks were mod to the max, with plenty of covetable pieces that still make it hard to believe purchases are made within a grocery store. As sartorially pleasing as the show was, we couldn’t help but be perplexed that one of Canada’s biggest and most influential brands — designed for the everyman — would book an all-white model cast (with the exception of one black model who didn’t appear in the final walk). Considering how wonderfully diverse their ad campaigns have been to date, their latest choice in runway lineup was a touch disappointing, to say the least. View all collection images HERE.
Twenty-three year old, Alberta native, Caitlin Power, debuted her second collection to an eager runway audience at Toronto Fashion Week. Her line offers contemporary pieces – think tailored and tapered pants, silks blouses and form-fitting dress – that come with a futuristic feel and downtown cool. As one of our most anticipated shows of the week, we weren’t disappointed in terms of style and esthetic, however, the “power” in her technical ability is weak. Rippling seams, ill-fitting cuts and poor fabrication were difficult to dismiss in certain looks. However, Power is a young designer with immense promise, and there is, without a doubt, still room to grow and develop. We look forward to seeing what she shares with us next. View all collection images by clicking HERE.
As the male models at Ezra Constantine — the sister-label of the Greta Constantine womenswear line — stomped down the runway in shiny black Doc Martins to the sounds of Marilyn Manson and Prodigy, their bodies encased in leather harnesses, all we could think of was: 90s grunge meets underground S&M culture. If this is what boys’ closets will be looking like next fall, we ladies will definitely be dipping in to borrow a few pieces. View all images by clicking HERE.