Designer Statements A.A.

Alexander Abramenko

My incentive for making these clothes is love of the craft. The labour of making clothes is unremarkable, but moving.

ASHLI AHN

Eunsil Ahn ASHLI AHN is a contemporary women's wear label that satisfies the wearer's creative personality. It is all about exploring ideas of new shapes and experimental design details. Ashli ahn s/s 2012 is inspired by paintings and photography of a nature by various surrealist artists. The collection incorporates shades and shapes of warm earth, dark lake and gloomy sky, with a strong focus on asymmetry, transparency and movement.

Local

Kyla Atlas This womenswear collection is influenced by menswear and industrial designs from the early 1900s.

Shalan Rain

Lisa Avola Shalan Rain by Lisa Nicole is a classic, ready-to-wear women’s collection comprised of essential garments and must haves for all women. Debuting for the Spring 2012 season, these 1950’s inspired pieces are optimal as the collection offers a versatile wardrobe; giving women the ability to wear functional pieces during the day that can easily transition into party wear for a night on the town. Its target market is a career-orientated woman 26-45 years of age who aims for practicality and convenience in their fashion forward ensembles. Created with this in mind, Shalan Rain is distinguished by its chic clothing and effortless coordination exuding confidence and poise within every woman. In considering the five key components that women want from a garment; style, quality, affordable price, care content and hanger appeal, the Shalan Rain collection will offer women great style at a moderate price range.

Diana Baba

Diana Baba The Diana Baba collection is designed for a strong, independent, driven woman! A woman who is confident and needs a good wardrobe that will help her express her

identity. She is not a woman who grabs attention with her ensemble but rather with her charisma and poise which shines, leaving her feeling sexy and confident in her own skin. With a mix of elegance and edge Diana Baba's spring/summer 2011 collection will combine sweet and edgy design elements. The line will feature mostly separate pieces that will be able to be taken from day to night, as well as the option of mixing and matching garments creating a variety of looks. The woman who wears a Diana Baba piece is a woman who lives a very strong socially oriented lifestyle surrounded by many socialites; a life that is enriched with passion for social activities, entertainment, fashion and the arts. Success and power not only motivate her but seduce her.

Caged In

Kathryn Bennett ‘Caged In’ by Katy Bennett, is an extravagant costume collection designed for theatre productions. The collection consists of outfits that were inspired by the Victorian era and the Gothic Revival…but with a unique modern day twist. Many components in the collection are historically accurate; from the natural fabrics to the elaborate undergarments, which include bustles, corsets and hoops. ‘Caged In’ will create the visual interest and powerful punch that a theatre audience has grown to appreciate.

Pam Card

Pamela Card Born and raised in Vancouver, B.C., Pamela Card is a contemporary womanswear designer. Pamela discovered her passion for modern design at a young age and credits the training she has received in Toronto at Ryerson University for her sense of personal and professional growth. Studying in a city that is already strong in fashion and surrounded by such a rich multi-cultural environment Pamela has exposed herself to a great diversity of industry practices. She lives with the belief that a fashion designer must be unequalled and distinguished with a defined trademark that makes his or her garments remarkably unique. Possessing the essential characteristics to succeed in the fast paced fashion industry, Pamela Card continually seeks out opportunities to expand and add dynamic and innovative details to her designs.

Citadelle

Tammy Chan Citadelle is a modern tailored brand for a new generation of women. Citadelle blends classic elements and pieces from traditional tailored womenswear with contemporary fabric choices and stylistic elements. Known for its feminine outlook of tailored menswear Citadelle achieves this through its strong view on how the cut and fit of a garment should appear on the female form. This 2012 Fall/Winter season Citadelle looks to screen legend Marlene Dietrich for inspiration, her strength and sensuality pairs perfectly with the line’s affinity for strongly tailored yet feminine looks. Her bold and fearless take on fashion allowed her to wear whatever she desired with

confidence and no apologies, a philosophy which Citadelle hopes women will take to heart.

Heather Cichowski

Heather Cichowski My collection is a contemporary women’s wear line for Spring 2012. The line is comprised of tailored pieces with architectural detailing juxtaposed with softer blouses underneath. The collection is about the versatility of a jacket and pieces a woman can mix-and-match while still looking chic and put-together. The collection was inspired by modern glass architecture and the interesting shapes and angles created when glass is segmented into different panes. I was specifically inspired by buildings in New York such as the Chrysler Building and the Hearst Tower. I’ve translated this inspiration into the collection by using a colour palette of steel grey, muted green, chambray and stone. Additionally, all of the garments in my collection have numerous seams that mimic the segmentation of the architecture.

Loredana by Lauren De Bellis

Lauren De Bellis The Loredana by Lauren De Bellis collection encompasses five luxury evening wear dresses, inspired by the lights of Las Vegas. This is a spring/summer collection for the 2012 season, best suited for the red carpet locale. Each dress will display bright and bold colours in solids with accent prints and vibrant detailing all eminent of the Las Vegas strip sparkling in the desert night. Each element used to create these pieces; quality construction, embellishment and the art of draping will fuse to create designs in order to bring the wearer to new fashion heights With sheer beaded tops, flowing skirts, vibrant colours and figure accentuating details this collection will be flattering yet daring, feminine yet edgy, something for all that will make the ultimate red carpet statement.

Dena Ede

Mist

Ying Fei

Nancy Fei

Céce

Celine Gasper Cécé is a collection inspired by the late 16th century to the early 18th century artistic movement known as Baroque. The collection is an extension of the art movement's lavish architecture and the soft, elegant colour palette. Through these inspirations, Céline developed a line of high-end women's eveningwear clothing for Spring/Summer 2012. The new collection puts a contemporary spin on the luxury of Baroque style with the use of exaggerated elements.

VH Vi Ha VH is a woman’s fashion label that celebrates life after 6pm. VH represents the spirit of contemporary

youth with its voluminous skirts while maintaining elegance through the meticulous use of structured silk. The line Attaché, is created for a self-assured woman who embraces her feminine side through the playfulness and sheerness of the skirt. She is an icon for modern elegance. Fall/Winter 2012 Attaché collection, relies on structured cocktail dresses with magnitudes over skirts that have strategic

Non-Conformist

Emily Harmsen The Non-Conformist line offers unique and effortless garments to those who wish to stand out in a crowd. With an emphasis on texture, several garments incorporate fabric manipulation techniques such as weaving and slashing. This line offers a variety of looks that can be styled to suit your individual fashion sense. The collection is designed for Fall/Winter 2011 and is inspired by naturalistic textures found in the great outdoors. The colour palette includes creamy neutrals, rustic greens and lustrous hints of metallic. Silk chiffons, rich jersey knits and burn out velvets are some of the fabrics you will see portrayed in the Non-Conformist line. This collection is for the self confident and self aware woman. Be yourself... be a Non-Conformist.

KH by Katerina Hernandez

Katerina Hernandez The fall/winter 2011 KH collection is a vintage inspired line that explores the idea of alternative beauty and uniqueness through a variation of silhouettes. In the 1930’s, the trend among the Hollywood starlets was dependant on restrictions based on the conservative norms of the time period. This segued into an exploration of different androgynous zones of the female figure. Consequently, the one of a kind floral print designed by artist and friend, Liz Doré is strategically used to emphasize a different, less commercially sexualized part of the body such as the collarbone, ankles and back. The ornate elements of the floral print are used to create intricate appliqué designs that contrast the simplicity of the draped silk fabrics. The iridescent colour palette, styles and original print featured in this season’s collection enhance not only the one of a kind aspect of the garment but also the uniqueness of the individual.

J.HILLIFER

John Hillifer A directional menswear brand as an experiment in deconstruction, innovative detailing, and sustainability. Garment production focuses on craftsmanship and highest quality materials.

Liliana Hung

Adaption by r.i.s

Renee Isaac-Saper The line Adaptation by r.i.s is a women’s spring collection consisting of light day dresses. Inspiration came from things that can adapt in nature to accommodate their environment better such as arctic foxes, trees, chameleons, clouds and ink drops in water. The three main components of the collection are that the garments are made in Canada,

can be adjusted in waist size and hand dyed fabric to make the pieces as unique as possible. The dresses are designed to have clean lines and simple details. As the aim is to have all of the material hand dyed using techniques to create interesting patterns like monochromatic tie dyes and bleeds, the materials are all natural fibres (cotton and silk).

Bono.S & J.Suri Sandra Jee & Hayoung Lee

Bono.S & J. Suri is a high-end contemporary formal menswear for fall/winter 2011. This collection is inspired by the concept of deconstructivism; fragmentation of geometric shapes and surface. Our motivation is to give artistic twist in men’s formalwear. The objective of this collection is to execute innovative designs that combine unusual detailing using geometry and contour line in a tailored suit.

Lindsay Jennings

Fallow by K. Johnston

Kalie Johnston Fallow is defined as farmland that has been ploughed and left for a period without being planted in order to replenish the soil for future crops. This concept has been applied to the development of this collection with the idea that a person is buying quality pieces made from good fabric that will last a long time, rather than cheap, trendy clothing that encourages overconsumption. Fallow is a women’s contemporary collection inspired by the works of American painter Andrew Wyeth and draws upon the quiet nature and tranquil color palette of the paintings. The collection offers simple, stylish, yet classic garments that will work well with most wardrobes and can be worn for many years. With hand painted silk, hand made waxed cotton, and 90% natural fibers, Fallow offers special touches to make these simple pieces exquisite in their own, quiet way.

Samantha Johnston

Alexandra Julian

Spectre Looming…

Dane Junkin The collection’s title is a reference to Charles Engels’ preface for the Communist Manifesto. The preface is evocative of spreading fear and uncertainty in the masses. Spectre Looming is a reflection of the levity of poisoned minds in an urban wasteland. The collection is an embrace of the pervasive oppression of the inner city, its perversion, filth, poverty, obscenity, and self-adoration.

Kayoko Kawano

Kayoko Kawano The eroded layers found within cliffs and canyons inspire a layered foundation of tonal greys and varied sheer and opaque fabrics. The presence of texturally rich wools and velvets replicate the contrasting tactile relationship between textured lichens and mosses and the sheer hard edged slates from which they emerge. While thriving on the constant play of hard and soft textures this collection

maintains the strength of simple rocks and stones.

The Good Boy Andrew Kerrigan The good boy is about a false sense of innocence. It plays on shifting normalcy to create simultaneous feelings of comfort and unease. The inspiration comes from images in art and cinema in which something sinister lies beneath the surface.

Jackie Jihye Kim

Jihye Kim Jackie Jihye Kim, a women's contemporary formalwear collection for Spring/Summer 2011 is inspired by geometric forms and innovative silhouettes. Targeted towards creative and value-concious women between ages 25 to 40, it offers fresh alternatives of conventional evening dresses with added affordability and functionality.

KISIELEWICZ Monica Kisielewicz KISIELEWICZ F/W 2011 is influenced by a series of photographs taken by Alvaro Sanchez-Montañes titled "Desert Indoors." It captured the authentic, simple beauty of abandoned dwellings in the depths of the desert. Monica Kisielewicz uses the conservative aesthetic of Middle Eastern culture and combines it with the refined drapery worn by Buddhist monks to create a collection tailored exclusively for women to use as a tool to inspire and innovate.

Luminescence Patricia Kowalski Inspired by the breath-taking beauty of the Joie Chandelier in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, the Luminescence collection is designed to make a woman feel as attractive, eye-catching, and lavish as any luxurious chandelier. The garments in this contemporary collection encompass details characteristic of ornate light fixtures, such as, cowls, chains, and crystals. Intricate hand detailing has been utilized to add interesting surface detail and to make the garments unique. Versatility is an important factor in the design process of this collection and the practical silhouettes allow for a woman to look fabulous during the daytime, nighttime, at work, or at play.

Jimin Lee

Ji-Min Lee Inspired by the breath-taking beauty of the Joie Chandelier in New York's Rockefeller Plaza, the Luminescence collection is designed to make a woman feel as attractive, eye-catching, and lavish as any luxurious chandelier. The garments in this contemporary collection encompass details characteristic of ornate light fixtures, such as, cowls, chains, and crystals. Intricate hand detailing has been utilized to add interesting surface detail and to make the garments unique. Versatility is an important factor in the design process of this collection and the practical silhouettes allow for a woman to look fabulous during the daytime, nighttime, at work, or at play.

Guinevere Guinevere Mah Guinevere is a collection of contemporary Bridal gowns; perfect for the modern bride of 2012 who wants new variations with a touch of romantic flare. By adding new

elements and styling to the traditional wedding gown, Guinevere will allow brides to stand out from their counterparts. Inspired by the light flowing movements, bright colours, and delicate nature of Jelly fish, these gowns are cheery and colourful and designed to bring out the best in every bride on the day of her wedding. This collection’s playful pallet and spirit make it perfect for a spring/summer wedding.

Empire Designs Sarita Malan Empire Designs strives to take the world of alternative clothing, and re-design it specifically for plus-sized women. Taking elements from Goth, fetish, Victorian and other alternative subcul- tures, Empire Designs has designed specifically for a fuller body shape, yet pushes the boundaries of what would normally be expected from a plus-sized collection, amping up sex appeal and promoting individuality.

Alice Mallinson Alice-Louise Mallinson

Alice Mallinson naturals + organics is an eco-luxury collection featuring easy-wearing, elegant, and enduring wardrobe separates. Indigenous northern cultures and the circular nature of the natural world is the inspiration behind this Autumn Winter 2011 2012 collection. Be inspired by unique hand smocking and some of the most luxurious and unique eco-materials.

Dubismetric

Pui Man Wong Dubismetric is a contemporary womenswear collection designed for Spring and Summer 2012. It is an Art Deco inspired collection, garments feature design elements from this period, which incorporate the ideas of mathematical geometric and symmetric shapes throughout the design details. With the color palette of black and taupe, in order to enhance the aesthetics and linear movement of Art Deco, the designer plays with different transparencies and textures of fabrics. Styling within this collection includes dresses, high waisted pants and skirts, cropped tops, jumpsuit and a blazer, in the combination of chiffon, velvet, knits, leather, also add a bit of hand beading to accent the silhouettes of the designs. Most of the garments from this collection are interchangeable to fit customers’ personal favorites. Dubismetric is edgy and sophisticated that offers versatility and attitude-expressible designs to the customers.

Woods

Brittany Mannetje Woods is a collection of women's outerwear for fall/winter 2011. It is designed to fully withstand the demands of the harsh weather of the Canadian north. With a focus on functional details, natural materi- als, and simplicity of design, Woods a unique, high end line of outdoor garments for stylish, yet adven- turous women.

Lauren Lauren Marshall This contemporary women’s wear collection in inspired by classic female icons such as Jackie Onassis and Audry

Marshall Hepburn. Garments maintain this theme through silhouette, while keeping modern with innovative design details. Like the women to inspire it, this collection will allow a woman to push boundaries of contemporary fashion while maintaining a sense of femininity and class. Feminine silhouettes are achieved with intricate tucks and pleats that are subtly complex. Though colours are subtle, inspired by those of a desert sunset, interest is found in texture, drape, and manipulation of each individual fabric. This collection is easily worn on an everyday basis, as well as in a work or sophisticated social setting, and is easily workable into the wardrobe of any fashion forward woman. The ultimate goal of this collection is to fulfill today’s successful, artistic, fashion conscious woman with garments that not only stand out in a world oversaturated with fashion options, but give her a look of elegance and subtle edge with innovative, dynamic clothing.

Silver Darling Vanessa Mayville Silver Darling is an artistic exploration of texture, transparency, and movement inspired by the Glasswing Butterfly. It is comprised of 5 eveningwear gowns in silk chiffon and taffeta with chunky beaded silver wire jewlry-esque embellishments. Whether in her 20’s or 50’s, these dresses are a way for the elegant and creative woman to show off her femininity and flare.

Tintangle by McLean

Chelsea McLean Tintangle by McLean is a lingerie-based brand, which offers a variety of novelty and everyday pieces for women to choose from. Tintangle presents a perfect balance between boudoir and functional pieces. For many women lingerie can be confining and uncomfortable. Tintangle hopes to offer an alternative to the restrictive bones and lacing that has traditionally been associated with lingerie. Tintangle attempts to encapsulate the class and sophistication of the European lingerie industry, all the while remaining devoted to comfort and beauty. Tintangle`s strong sense of character and bold colours help to define the brand as unique in amongst the mass of traditional lingerie brands.

Ophelia

Jamie Metzger Classically inspired undergarments are combined with contemporary drapes to create the Ophelia collection for S/S 2012. Valuing both the individual and the environment, only organic and natural fibers have been used. The colours were achieved through a low impact process, many hand dyed by the designer herself. Intended to support the body without pushing or pulling it into an unrealistic ideal, the Ophelia collection celebrates, rather than controls, the female form.

This Machine Kills Fashion

Stacie Moltner Rock n roll was my sole inspiration for this collection. “This machine kills fashion” is a reference to Woody Guthrie, who had written on his guitar the message “this machine kills fascism.”

Difine

Mikhail Moudrakovski

Difine is about a woman's right to define herself in the workplace. The Difine woman is a visionary focused on goals and everlasting success. Her priorities involve more than how she looks in the workplace, she radiates a confident femininity, power and ambition. The Difine FW 2011 collection is inspired by the textures of mosses, lichens and moth wings and the aesthetic of vintage science fiction. It is focused on sleek lines, quality and simplicity.

Kathryn Olivia Kathryn Persaud

Hellen Plokhoff Yelena Plokhova The Hellen Plokhoff collection is a bridal line for Fall 2011. This collection features wedding gowns for fearless, powerful, and independent women who like to stand out from the crowd and be different on their special day. Hellen Plokhoff's customer does not want to be a traditional bride and wear a plain white wedding gown. Therefore, she is confident to ad black colour to her dress that describes her as a woman with a powerful personality who is not afraid to break tradition. The Yin Yang symbol was the inspiration for such bold black and white bridal line. Yin Yang is a symbol of balance and at the same time a beautiful contrast. A woman of power and creativity is ready to wear white accented with black on her wedding day. The Hellen Plokhoff bridal collection represents elegance, femininity and luxury to be captured with sophistication and beauty.

Jaclyn Pyper

Unveiled

Kirsten Schaefer Unveiled is a sustainable, modular bridal collection inspired by nature. The shapes, which mimic curvilinear forms found in the world around us, are complimented by more literal interpretations of nature such as flower appliqués. The overall feel is one of peach and serenity. Unveiled uses organic and eco-friendly materials to create pieces that are then layered to produce five separate bridal ensembles. Each ensemble may then be modified to unveil an entire new look at the wedding reception, or restyled or dyed to enjoy the garments long after your wedding day comes to an end.

Aarzoo Singh

Aarzoo Singh The inspiration for the Aarzoo Singh collection was found in the middle of downtown Mumbai, India. Bazaars that lined the historical streets held rows of colourful traditional saris covered in stunning jewels. This had designer Aarzoo Singh thinking about Indian Maharajas and Maharanis and the kind of bejeweled armour they wore to war. She was inspired to create a line for the “Modern Day Maharani” in the form of cocktail dress armour, for the modern day woman’s battle of cocktail and dinner parties. This collection aims for make women feel sexy, glamorous

and fashionable through the use of draped silhouettes and “body armour” which is literally dripping in pearls. This line gives an artistic and innovative approach to formal party wear. It fills the niche market of customers that have a taste in high fashion and are influenced by the more fashion forward styles and images of today.

Marigold

Lindsay Spindler New to the lingerie industry is Marigold's Fall/Winter 2012 collection – the ultimate fashionable shapewear foundation garments. Unlike current shapewear items available on today's lingerie market, Marigold's garments are fashion- forward and elegantly define the silhouette. They are designed and constructed in a manner that achieves the perfect fit and shape.

Rokafellaskank

Paula Suehiro Panda King’s Rokafellaskank was inspired by graffiti and graphic art. It draws the themes of bright colours, asymmetrical lines and shapes from the fonts and art. It is designed for woman who enjoy summer and fun, with the intention to be practical, trendy and original.

"M"

Moiya Thai Designed for Fall/Winter 2011, the “M” collection is created for women with a reverence for clothing and eye for the unusual. Each outfit is meant to enter a space and leave those around with an impression. Inspired by Joan of Arc, the intent is to capture her fearless individuality.

Subsume

Eric Tong The Subsume SS2012 collection is inspired by Interstice: the spaces in-between. Expressed in a palette of blacks, whites, and transparencies, the collection gives form and definition to the ephemeral spaces within the clothed body, between skin and cloth. Capturing the essence of these transient spaces, the collection also explores the use of unique materials and combinations of mix-and-match separates. As black is contrasted with see-through, and solids are juxtaposed with voids, new ideas of space emerge through the body that defy conventional surface treatments.

Aicha Wali

Aicha Wali French pleated turbans personally inspired me; they are hair accessories that add elegance and class to a woman especially in the mid nineties. Another inspiration was Kaftans that is a traditional outfit originated from the Middle East and south Asia. Kaftans have been shown on several runways in many different styles. This will be my interpretation of a modern classic woman who loves to dress up and show off her style. This collection will showcase outfits that are fashion forward with an element of timeless cuts. The fabrics mainly used in this collection are polyester stretch, fine net, lace, chiffon, and mesh sequin, and all the right fabrics to make an evening more special. Girls can wear this collection in there twenties to women in there forties. Each garment will be a modern version of a Kaftan, it will display kaftan inspired sleeves

and special finishes and extravagant fabrics that will make each garment different in their own way, creating a collection every woman will desire to have in their closets.

Delilah

Tanya Wiebe The Fall 2011 Delilah Collection is inspired by angular modern furniture with clean lines and interesting shapes. The jagged lines and pointy corners paired with smooth surfaces and glossy finishes translated to design lines and fabric choices and set the tone for the overall aesthetic. Tanya Wiebe designed this collection with the customer in mind. The fabrics are soft and luxurious and the combination of textures introduces an edge to the feminine and sex appeal to the modest. This collection offers something new to every woman’s closet and an expression of her individuality to everyone she meets.

Nathaniel Laux

Joshua Williams Nathaniel Laux is a menswear brand for the creative bon vivant. For Spring/Summer 2012, the label is inspired by images of coal miners, combined with elements of traditional Japanese dress. The resultant silhouette is slack, tempered with a subdued colour palette.

Upside Through

Michelle Williams “Upside Through” is a fall/winter 2011/2012 evening wear collection, inspired by selected works of art by M.C. Escher, especially his ‘Three Worlds’ lithograph from 1955. It consists of evening dresses and cover-ups, and uses hand-painted chiffon, beading, and appliqué with recurring tree and fish motifs.

Alexis Yamamoto

kio – A

Jeannie Yeoh kio - A by j.yeoh is an avant garde evening wear collection for spring/summer 2012. These elaborate gowns were inspired by tropical birds and birdcages as the collection name derived from an extinct Hawaiian bird. Thus meaning that the collection is very lively and full of colour. Overall this collection provides every woman with a unique look that gives off the feeling of a fairytale fantasy.

Solange Yepez

Louise Yu

Dudettes

Yi-Ling Zheng Dudettes is a self-titled collection for women who are under 5’4”. For Spring/Summer 2011, Dudettes switches its artistic roots to a contemporary ready-to-wear collection with a focus mainly on settled colours combined with some pop elements and the outline shape of the garments. A little charm and personality is added to the garments with the decoration of non-functional collar and the different combinations of textiles. While high-waisted skirts and dresses dominate the whole collection. This collection is charmed with understated 60s Mod & Op Art influence and a polished modern appeal. Discover the Dudettes Collection.