Oct
19
Photo: Raymund Galsim
Art and fashion mingled happily together last Friday evening when local handbag designer Jessica Jensen partnered with her husband photographer Joshua Jensen-Nagle to present her debut line of women’s wear. Alongside Joshua’s stormy photos, Jessica’s new capsule line of minimalist frocks for Spring 2010, takes inspiration from the calm shoreline of New Jersey with moody greys, plums and seafoam green and subtle ruffle and appliqué details. Perfect for transitioning your wardrobe out of the cold next year. www.shopjessicajensen.com
Oct
14
Think Karl Lagerfeld is the only designer up to the challenge of outfitting a dance troupe? Toronto’s Evan Biddel has signed on to design costumes for the next production of Pro Arte Danza, which makes its debut today. In anticipation of his first outing as a costume designer (check out his sketch above), we chatted with Evan about the new venture and got a sneak peek into his own upcoming collection. Pro Arte Danza will perform their fusion of contemporary dance and traditional ballet at the Fleck Dance Theatre at Harbourfront Centre October 14-17. www.proartedanza.com
How did the partnership come about?
The Rehearsal Director for ProArteDanza, Hope Muir, was at my fall show in March, and she thought it would be a great fit. Roberto Campanella and I hit it off right away. I could tell we were cut from the same cloth and that it would be a great experience.
Why did designing dance costumes interest you?
It was something new. I had to think about the project a lot more as far as functionality of the garments. Roberto chose looks right from my runway show, and I had to make them work for dance. I mean, models walk down a runway, they’re not flinging their limbs around and executing high kicks. It was frustrating at times, but I haven’t had to think about these things before. I always love a challenge.
How was the process different than conceiving a collection?
Roberto had a pretty clear view of what he wanted the overall feeling to be, and I had to work around his vision, instead of my own. It was surprising how similar we were thinking though.
What was the most valuable thing you learned?
I realized that costume design is a completely different thing than fashion design, and what may work for one, may not work for the other. Also, ballerinas are much more muscular than models.
Can you give us any hints on what your spring collection will look like? Did you find inspiration doing the costumes?
Well, the collection is called “the year 2010, unnatural disaster”. I’ve been thinking about what it will be like to live on our planet after we’ve killed it. I was reading a Playboy from 1971, and there was a cartoon in it depicting the year 2000. There was a robot making the bed, a man doing push ups in green tights, a TV shaped like an egg and a computer the size of a dishwasher. Now if this is what the future looked like in 1971, what does the future look like from 2010?
Oct
01
Feeling cheeky? Nothing makes a statement like a slogan tee. We’re celebrating fashion week season by sporting these limited edition t-shirts from Castor Reigns. The new Canadian label just launched their first round of affordable capsule lines – all of which will be made in Canada – with two unisex tees with quirky fashion statements. Go to www.castorreigns.com to buy yours for just $30, and be sure to bookmark the site for the next collection.
Sep
29
Canadian leather expert Danier launched an exciting new competition for aspiring fashion designers today in partnership with Toronto’s Ryerson University. Third year design students are eligible to enter by submitting a sketch of an original design for women’s outerwear. Twenty-five will go on to create a muslin prototype. Fifteen of those will be chosen to go on to the next round where their design will be completed with leather provided by Danier. The winner will have their outerwear creation sold in Danier boutiques for Fall 2010. Esteemed judges include Jeanne Beker and Olga Koel, Danier’s chief of merchandising, but keep your eye on Danier.com to cast a vote for your favourite too.
Sep
15
Equal parts ingenue and tomboy, Dace Spring 2010 from Vancouver-based designer Dace Moore is a refreshingly effortless collection inspired by la Parisienne. Honing in on interchangeable separates, the line features a concise style code of mini dresses, peg-leg trousers, and body-skimming blouses. The balance between flirty sheer panels and nautical touches is a real draw for the girl who dresses by her mood for the day. Click here to get a hint of the line’s spirit. www.dace.ca - Fiona Green
