So here we are, Thursday September 7th and almost fully through the first week of Toronto Fashion Month. AAAHHH! Already it has been a busy one, but our team is firing along at full speed covering everything you need to know from every angle. Last night was Day 2 of RE\SET 002 – a new-age fashion celebration in the heart of Queen Street West where both emerging and semi-established designers showcased their wares. We were on site to cover happenings in the Designer Showroom – a marketplace for designers to discuss with guests one-on-one and sell pre-sale items – as well as the Presentation rooms where SS18 collections were on display. Designers part of night two included Thomas Balint, Christopher Bates, Maram, House of Nonie, Hilary MacMillan, Triarchy and WRKDEPT. See below for our takes on their SS18 collections as well as designers from the showroom that we swooned over.
#1: Hilary MacMillan
Probably my favourite designer collection of the whole night, Hilary MacMillan showed us her plans for what we should wear during Spring Summer 2018 and we could not be happier. The major trend of the night was frills – lots and lots of frills. Frills on sleeves, on trousers, draped across dresses and outlining shoulders, if you’re not wearing frills next spring, you’re not listening to very clear instructions. Other major design motifs were florals (of course, back off Miranda Priestly) as well as tropical prints and pops of colour. For our beauty junkies, the look of the season is clear skin and shimmer all over. The highlight on these girls was TO DIE FOR. And the hair? Mermaid curls with a very severe side part. If you don’t have long hair, the sleek and stylish bob is a HM-approved option too. Our verdict, the spring and summer season is all about a playful refresh and we are so excited about the interpretation Hilary MacMillan shared last night. Palm tree printed pants here we come!
#2: House of Nonie
The second most captivating collection of Day Two was definitely hands down House of Nonie. Not only was the space the collection was shown in STUNNING (and doors opened right at magic hour!) but the clothes were equally ethereal. Pastel pinks were dotted amidst a sea of white and black and navy. Dresses were deep cut but tasteful, as neck and shoulder-lines were accented with frills (2/3 we are on our way to having a trend people). Pants were floor length and very very wide. Trenches are coming back but instead of the traditional full sleeve, designer Nina Kharey cooled it down for warming temperatures by removing sleeves altogether. The coats we did see looked oh-so-cozy as they reflected a very classic DVF wrap style front. The beauty look of the season for Kharey also showcased clear skin, insanely good highlighting and not a lot on the eyes. Hair was wrapped into either low ponytails or low buns, and the pixie cut was donned by short haired models. All we can say is that for a designer who’s known for her feminine yet professional collections, this season did not lack any of that. We anticipate these frocks showing up at many a garden party next spring, don’t you?
#3: Triarchy
As many of our readers may know, ethics and sustainability have been hot topics in the fashion industry over the last few years. With fast fashion giants like H&M trying their best to promote an eco-conscious mandate, and indie labels like Everlane and Reformation taking the Instagram set by storm, it is hard to ignore the fact that the industry and its consumers are trying to drive positive change. Triarchy is also a label who has taken this movement to heart. Last night’s SS18 presentation in the Lower Ballroom was not only a display of beautiful clothes, it was a call to action. The show opened with a voice recorded monologue dispelling facts and figures about fashion’s impact on the environment and what it really takes to make your favourite pair of jeans. The Triarchy designers have made the move in this season’s collection to not cause extra waste in the production of their garments. All the pieces on display were made from recycled and vintage denim. Nothing was made from scratch. This is a big deal. Not only is Triarcy aligning itself with a small list of companies trying to use their platform for good, they are also educating the consumer about the decisions that are available to them. You don’t have to buy something brand new to make something beautiful. Your materials can come from something that has already had a life, such as reusing denim to make shorts or chopping and resewing them into a jacket. Mass Exodus 2018 is swiftly upon us, and Ryerson designers have the choice to do something different. Maybe do something like this?
#4: WRKDEPT
One thing is for sure, Wednesday night at WRKDEPT were some serious Jaqcuemus vibes. We are also totally okay with it. This design duo from Montreal is probably one of the most promising designers coming out of Canada at the moment and with an atelier/studio in Los Angeles this brand is on its way to gaining international recognition. Lines were clean, pieces were structured and disfigured and the colour palette was dark neutrals with pops of colour and pattern. If this week was any indication of future collections from this brand, we cannot wait to see what is next.
#5: BIKO
For all of you jewellery lovers out there we have a top pick from the RE\SET 002 Designer Showroom as well. Biko, a Toronto-based brand by designer and owner Corrine Anestopoulos, is a locally manufactured jewellery line merging classic feminine pieces with inspirations from Corrine’s global travels. One thing we loved while talking to the designer is her ability to take her Ryerson education and translate it into a real life business that both thrives internationally, while still feeling authentic and homegrown. Her pieces are daring yet demure, clean yet captivating, and those crinkled disk hoops??? Can we have all the colours?? If you are an avid lover of all things accessories, and also love to support business that are not only based, but also manufacture domestically, Biko is definitely a brand to watch.
*Photography courtesy of Naomi Brearley, Marly Bromstein and Daniel Bosco.
