Graduates shine in paying homage to Canadian wintry days
13-10-2005
Graduate fashion week. The buzz, the nerves, the expectation, the creativity. It’s around this time that I become oh so grateful that I chose to study fashion marketing as opposed to design! This past week I was invited to attend the International Academy of Design – Toronto – graduate fashion show. I was very curious and excited to be there, as every other graduate show that I have attended has been in the U.K. Interestingly enough, it was an old friend of mine, from my Uni in London that extended the offer. This made the show all the more enjoyable as, together, we criticized with London eyes…
The venue was at the Indian Motorcycle Club, whose interior meshed well with the show’s Revolution theme. Black and Red aligned the catwalk, and the models’ each wore a piece of red fabric in their hair, reinforcing the Russian theme and providing fluidity throughout the collections.
Forty five designers participated in the show, sending 3 pieces each down the catwalk per look. Amongst them, 6 designers truly stood out. The program was divided into scenes, including: Manipulation, Metropolis, Outerwear, Wonderland, Nostalgia, and Eveningwear.
Leave it to the Canadians to really outdo themselves in the outerwear series! Definitely the most innovative, and fabulous designs came strutting down, fittingly to the sounds of Below Zero. I would gladly embrace Mother Nature’s cruel cold days if I had the chance to prance around the streets of Toronto in one of these puppies! My favourites included a large encompassing pink pouf piece by Cara Sky, and a little red riding hood number.
The intricate use of ruffles and pleats by 2 designers reminded me of a cross between the emblematic Russian baboushka and little red riding hood on her way to grandmothers’ house!
IADs’ graduate fashion show is one of many shows leading up to Toronto Fashion Week, taking place October 17th- 21st. I will be volunteering in the media lounge so hopefully will be exposed to the glitz and the gossip, all of which I will report back to you!
Aviva Babins
Toronto Fashion Journalist
avivababins@gmail.com
