With New York and London recently wrapping their fashion weeks, Milan's currently underway and Toronto's just around the corner, the fashion world is in a full-fledged frenzy. Amid the endless stream of strutting models and new looks, we've been keeping our eye on our homegrown talent. Here's what some of our favourite Canuck designers have been showing around the world.
Jeremy Laing
Laing is one of Canada’s pre-eminent designers. Though he shows his designs in New York, he has shunned the call of the megacity and instead chooses to live and work in Parkdale.
Where he showed: New York Fashion Week
What he showed: Jessica Minkoff described his most recent collection as “post goth,” fitting for a series of looks done in an earthy palette with textural juxtaposition and layering reigning supreme. Bleach stained velvet separates — guaranteed to be fall favourites — were shown alongside more challenging pieces with a tangible Japanese aesthetic.
Erdem
Montreal-born U.K.-based Erdem Moralioglu is a favourite of the fashionistas.
Where he showed: London Fashion Week
What he showed: Citing Hitchcock as a reference, the designer showed a very proper, ladylike collection for fall but with a sly twist. Colours were bold (black was paired with fuchsia, chartreuse and royal blue) while naughty black rubber took a starring role in the garments, embroidered with lace and acting as a tweed overlay.
Jean-Pierre Braganza
Calla, Todd Lynn and Thomas Tait joined London-based Braganza at The Sh0ws last season here in Toronto.
Where he showed: London Fashion Week
What he showed: The strongest pieces in Braganza's collection offered up surprising twists: a dress grew lapels from the chest, while a vest highlighted the shoulders with a series of folds. Referencing Victoriana, Braganza nipped in waists and drew attention to both the shoulder and the arm. The highlight of the show, though, was Branganza’s bow: he wore a T-shirt that gave a shout out to Bovine Sex Club.
Juma
Brother and sister duo Alia and Jamil Juma have made the leap to showing in New York, moving out of their Toronto studio late last year. We’re sad to see them go — their most recent collections have been eye-catching, and fall/winter 2012 is right up there with the others.
Where they showed: New York Fashion Week
What they showed: Never shying away from colour, the siblings showed a visual cacophony of colour, created from their own digitally altered photographs or illustrations. Standouts included a reptilian shift dress with flowing sleeves, and a leggings-and-tunic combo — worn by Alia — that was a fuchsia and almost-neon green.
Calla
Designer Calla Haynes, who had her debut in New York but now lives in Paris, is known for her digital prints.
Where she showed: New York Fashion Week
What she showed: A peach-and-blue printed dress — worn over a grey turtleneck — was a modern take on the robe d’anglaise thanks to a triangular cutout at the front of the skirt. Outerwear options included a smart coat with bronze buttons marching down the front, and a black-and-white geometric-print tweed jacket.
Todd Lynn
Lynn is a rock star's designer, having worked with U2, the The Rolling Stones and Marilyn Manson. He now lives and works in the U.K.
Where he showed: London Fashion Week
What he showed: Exaggerated collars, hips emphasized with partial-peplums, and extended lapels were some of the features of Todd Lynn’s fall garments. Much of the collection was comprised of separates, which included flowing pants and a stunning teal jacket with origami-like folds. A well-cut two-tone leather dress that could have been plucked off the back of a young Daryl Hannah in Blade Runner closed the show.
Thomas Tait
Born in Montreal, Tait graduated from the prestigious Central Saint Martins school of arts in London, England.
Where he showed: London Fashion Week
What he showed: Tait showed a series of simple and sophisticated looks that kept the focus on the construction. A moss green cocoon jacket with rounded shoulders was paired with yellow-orange leather trousers made a bold statement; other more subdued looks featured Tait’s quilted take on the varsity jacket and plenty of black. Leather and velvet were key players; denim played a minor (and unnecessary) role. A look featuring a collared white shirt and a leather skirt seemed to reference Jil Sander.