It would be a stretch to call the TFI New Labels show a novel idea, given that the annual fashion runway competition has been a fixture on the local fashioncalendar since its founding by the non-profit Toronto Fashion Incubator in 1992.
In recent years, the show has faced increasing rivalry from other fashion competitions such as the Mercedes-Benz Start Up and the two-year-old Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards. Certainly little surprise registered among Monday night's audience when the $25,000 award went to front-runner, Maison Matthew Gallagher.
Though it might be odd to say about both emerging design talent and an industry like fashion, whose essence is centred on the next new thing, it seems novelty here was not entirely the point.
"I like to think of it as fashion boot camp," says the TFI's Susan Langdon. "It's six months of gruelling work, going through this competition. But fashion is a very tough, very competitive business, and only the best will rise to the top."
TFI received 30 applications from design talent across the country. After narrowing down the list to seven semifinalists, judges from the world of design, media and retail refined their ideas over a six-month period, then chose a final four.
The final four were Matthew Gallagher for Maison Matthew Gallagher, Valerie Tolila for Vaiken, Benji Wong Zhen Wang for Benji WZW and Jennifer Torosian and Raed Ali for Jennifer Torosian.
They already were well on their way to establishing themselves in fashion. Milan-trained Gallagher had been given a nod with an earlier CAFA nomination; Montrealer Tolila had trained with Vivienne Westwood; Torosian has a fan in actress Kim Cattrall; and Wang already has the attention of Lady Gaga.
"The ones who will do well are the ones who listen," says Suzanne Rogers, who underwrites the $25,000 award. "This is an enormous opportunity for these young designers to be able to tap into the experience and know-how of someone like David Dixon, who has been in the Canadian fashion business for more than 20 years."
The runway presentations of all four contestants were tightly edited and admirably focused.
Vaiken, whose asymmetrical cuts and street-Goth layering of proportions, while competently executed and likely saleable, failed to rise above the derivative. Benji WZW's naughty Japanese schoolgirls strutted the runway in tiny dark skirts and strangely de-ribboned middy blouses, as if they were recent escapees from an asylum. One oversized camel peacoat with exaggerated rounded shoulders stood out as a winner. Nice styling too, with the nude knee-highs and ankle booties.
Jennifer Torosian's expert layering of soft silk separates with more structured, almost boxy outer layers in unexpected and flattering proportions, demonstrated a sophistication and confidence with materials that was both feminine and powerful. I don't imagine this will be the last stop for this team.
Gallagher's presentation, which opened with a languid remix of Doris Day's "Que Sera, Sera," wasn't afraid of making the modern mash-up of complex ideas beautiful. The opening piece, a briskly tailored, all-cream ensemble, cut as if for an old-school Hollywood siren, avoided mere elegance with an abruptly cut-out matching skirt, and was followed by a pair of sexy trousers that were cut so lean and close to the body that the model looked sewn in.
Gallagher revealed himself a good listener, confidently mixing up day and work fabrics such as grey flannel with flowing chiffon for evening wear with a new modernity. Either that, or the winning designer has a few things to teach us all about new ideas.
Read more:http://www.sheinbridaldress.co.uk
In recent years, the show has faced increasing rivalry from other fashion competitions such as the Mercedes-Benz Start Up and the two-year-old Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards. Certainly little surprise registered among Monday night's audience when the $25,000 award went to front-runner, Maison Matthew Gallagher.
Though it might be odd to say about both emerging design talent and an industry like fashion, whose essence is centred on the next new thing, it seems novelty here was not entirely the point.
"I like to think of it as fashion boot camp," says the TFI's Susan Langdon. "It's six months of gruelling work, going through this competition. But fashion is a very tough, very competitive business, and only the best will rise to the top."
TFI received 30 applications from design talent across the country. After narrowing down the list to seven semifinalists, judges from the world of design, media and retail refined their ideas over a six-month period, then chose a final four.
The final four were Matthew Gallagher for Maison Matthew Gallagher, Valerie Tolila for Vaiken, Benji Wong Zhen Wang for Benji WZW and Jennifer Torosian and Raed Ali for Jennifer Torosian.
They already were well on their way to establishing themselves in fashion. Milan-trained Gallagher had been given a nod with an earlier CAFA nomination; Montrealer Tolila had trained with Vivienne Westwood; Torosian has a fan in actress Kim Cattrall; and Wang already has the attention of Lady Gaga.
"The ones who will do well are the ones who listen," says Suzanne Rogers, who underwrites the $25,000 award. "This is an enormous opportunity for these young designers to be able to tap into the experience and know-how of someone like David Dixon, who has been in the Canadian fashion business for more than 20 years."
The runway presentations of all four contestants were tightly edited and admirably focused.
Vaiken, whose asymmetrical cuts and street-Goth layering of proportions, while competently executed and likely saleable, failed to rise above the derivative. Benji WZW's naughty Japanese schoolgirls strutted the runway in tiny dark skirts and strangely de-ribboned middy blouses, as if they were recent escapees from an asylum. One oversized camel peacoat with exaggerated rounded shoulders stood out as a winner. Nice styling too, with the nude knee-highs and ankle booties.
Jennifer Torosian's expert layering of soft silk separates with more structured, almost boxy outer layers in unexpected and flattering proportions, demonstrated a sophistication and confidence with materials that was both feminine and powerful. I don't imagine this will be the last stop for this team.
Gallagher's presentation, which opened with a languid remix of Doris Day's "Que Sera, Sera," wasn't afraid of making the modern mash-up of complex ideas beautiful. The opening piece, a briskly tailored, all-cream ensemble, cut as if for an old-school Hollywood siren, avoided mere elegance with an abruptly cut-out matching skirt, and was followed by a pair of sexy trousers that were cut so lean and close to the body that the model looked sewn in.
Gallagher revealed himself a good listener, confidently mixing up day and work fabrics such as grey flannel with flowing chiffon for evening wear with a new modernity. Either that, or the winning designer has a few things to teach us all about new ideas.
Read more:http://www.sheinbridaldress.co.uk
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