OR created by designer Angela Chen debut her fall collection on Friday April 1st,2011 at Toronto LG fashion week. The show opened with the room in complete darkness and the televisions that were set up around the room lit up and showed nothing but a black andwhite graphic design. The audience would soon learn that this black and white graphic would be carried out through the line. The line showcases a lot of black and white with sudden pops of blue every now and then. The line features lots of chunky knits. Necklines included off the shoulder and strapless sweetheart.

One of my favourite pieces was a black and cream, very chunky knit, with almost a boyfriend fit dress that fell dramatically off the shoulder. There were also a few pieces that included tulle that had a very ballerina feel to them. The pops of blue was shown mostly in tights and was a shade of navy. The line is very feminine and soft and will look great on the streets in the fall. The pieces are sure to keep you warm while still being very trendy, and will allow you to release [what is] your inner fashionista.

Chen featured a series of awe-provoking black and white knits at this year’s Toronto Fashion Week with splashes of mustard yellow and royal blue – not unlike the work of her inspiration for this season’s collection – Jonathan Lasker, a New York based contemporary artist who according to Chen, “…does a lot of crazy lines all over the place, black and white contrast with thick brush strokes and then hints and splashes of colour.” The collection, which Chen artfully entitled Sleep and Poetry spoke a sense of comfort, casualty and of course, style. It neatly fit Chen’s goal to cater the collection to any and every woman in any and every mood. As she puts it, “You know for me, I’m a Gemini so I have many different personalities – sometimes I want to be more tom-boyish…with little shorts and a basic tank and sometimes, not so much!”

In all accuracy, the collection does offer something for every woman from loose-fitted off-the shoulder comfy tops to feminine cut, colourful strapless dresses with billowing, sheer bottoms. With such beautifully detailed pieces, it is certainly hard to believe the designer individually hand-knitted all the pieces in the collection on her own – and in some cases, hours before the show as one of her models state. With such talent, we certainly cannot wait to see what, designer, Chen has in store for us in coming seasons!

Comrags brings Colour to Minimalism at Toronto LG Fashion Week

Design duo Judy Cornish and Joyce Gunhouse lived up to all expectations at this season’s Toronto Fashion Week. The show originally started off a rather slow note with very basic, half-sleeved fitted dresses. But it turns out the duo cleverly saved the best for last – and in this case, the middle too. Cornish and Gunhouse steadily picked up the pace; slowing capturing hints of attention until all eyes grew in awe. This season’s collection brought colour and depth to minimalism.

It featured an arrangement of deep green, ocean blue and brilliant mustard and chocolate silk abstract floral prints. Well-tailored wide-leg trousers, high-necked bowed sheer blouses and structured yet feminine pencil skirts and dresses whispered sensuous sophistication. Floral printed tailored coats and a deep-green coloured, abstract print hooded blazer were a personal favourite. And the cherry on top? The pair ditched their signature combat boots for sleek, stylish Derbys which were a staple in this season’s collection. By the end, all traces of disappointment had been finely erased by a sea of earthy toned, abstract prints and attendees were left greedily craving for more.

Lucian Matis presents CHAOS

Canadian fashion designer, Lucian Matis opted for striking uniqueness at this year’s LG Fashion Week – both in location and his extraordinary design of his Fall 2011 art-to-wear collection, CHAOS. The show, which took place far outside of the common gathering place of The Exhibition at the Design Exchange, showcased the designer’s artistic brilliance and unnerving ability to cunningly capture the very essence of nature into the intricate shape of the woman’s body. Dim lights, clear crystal-looking chairs and the overall captivating atmosphere could not have more effortlessly complimented the vibrant yet sophisticated allure of the collection.

Canada’s own Addison Gill was among the super-teased haired and seductively made-up models who walked the V-shaped runway decadently clad in complex, exaggerated knits and heavily beaded pumps. Matis presented a very simple colour palette which comfortably flattered the black, gold and copper beadings of the collection. Overall, the collection is a delightfully gorgeous artistic masterpiece – although sadly un-wearable.

Thankfully attendees had the gift bags featuring a Smashbox contour kit and mascara as well as heavenly tasty organic chocolate bars to cheer themselves up!

Ottawa Fashion Week

Ottawa Fashion Week fall 2011 brought recurring Ottawa, Toronto and Montreal designers, but also included new designers from all over Canada and even Argentina! This year OFW was again set in the window encompassed National Art Gallery, making every creation on the runway all the more beautiful to watch walk down the runway. Ottawa has come leaps and bounds from only a year ago, with its sponsors, front row guests (which included Shawn Hewson of Bustle, and other Ottawa heavy hitters in the industry, bloggers, journalists and people who love fashion), and of course, the talent. From the models to designers, stylists to coordinators, the three day fashion week was something not to be forgotten.

Here are some of the highlights from OFW 2011: Panache Jana Hanzel and Emilia Torabi opened OFW on Friday night, plunging into colour, with their collaborative collection, Panache. It was an array of beauty, one colour bolder than the next; from ruby to sapphire, metallic to dusty rose, each piece spoke elegance and swagger (how appropriate considering that is exactly what panache translates too). Both women, originally from Europe, have migrated both their unique sense of style with European flare into the Ottawa market for some time now. “I work from my studio for private clients, mostly business women who are not satisfied with the selection in stores and want more,” Hanzel explained. “I want to bring more interest, colors and a fresh breeze to the Ottawa fashion scene.” And they certainly did with this collection. Attention to detail is what Hanzel and Torabi are known for, and they did not disappoint with Panache.

Pick of the night was a coral structured wool coat with feminine pocket and shoulder detailing, finished off with a high ruffled collar – stunning. Micalla Micalla closed the show on day one of OFW, and it was absolutely breathtaking. Her inspiration for this season’s collection was about the future and the past. Rooted in Scandinavian sensibility of design (clean lines and multi-functionality plus an unexpected hit of raw edges and natural beauty), was what made the one-of-a-kind pieces on the runway radiate through the glass walls of the National Art Gallery.

Camilla Jørgensen, who is a Danish-born, Montreal-based designer, founded MICALLA only four years ago and has already made a strong name in the industry as a superb jewellery designer. Jørgensen uses some of the rarest and most beautiful natural stones in her jewellery that literally form into works of [beautiful] art on the human body. Favourite look on the runway this season was a toss-up between her finale piece which resembled a volcanic eruption of precious jewels, sterling silver and Swarovski crystals and her chandelier earrings that were nearly two feet long of gorgeous gems… oh and I almost forgot to mention the models all wore crystal lips! Does it get any more glamorous than that? !Nu.I Fashion Vickie Joseph of !Nu.I Fashion was a new designer to the OFW scene, but hardly a newbie in the fashion industry. After more than a decade working behind the scenes, Joseph created !Nu.I, a brand that reflected her love affair with creative style and the distinct taste that she has for fashion. For Fall 2011, Joseph decided to call her collection Poise & Power, which encompasses structured tailoring, striking contrasts, and vibrant textures. !Nu.I’s mantra reflects modern women assuming control of their own destiny’s. This collection offered rich colours ranging from burnt orange, to Studio 54 gold and soft colours of heather grey and navy blue. Vintage must have been on Joseph’s mind as one-piece jumpers and high-cut asymmetrical dresses stole the show. Must-haves from her collection were the beaded flapper-styled dress in gold and the black and white lace coat – to die for.

Rachel Sin

Rachel Sin, an Ottawa-native designer, is always a must-see at OFW. Although Sin has only been designing since 2009, her collections have already made headway in the Canadian fashion industry. Packing her bags and moving to Toronto this past December, Sin made the brave choice to really push her designs in and onto a National scale. Her fall 2011 collection was her best collection yet: a mix of structured, sexy and sophisticated dresses and an entirely new approach to clothing for Sin, leather pants and statement jackets, which she so cleverly called Models Off Duty. “I’ve always wanted to branch out from my cocktail dresses,” Sin explained. “This year just seemed like the perfect time to do it.” Canada will continue to watch this young designer [that will] grow into her own, one seam at a time. Most talked about pieces from her collection were the one sleeve wool dress and a chic biker jacket with leather leggings.

Anomal Couture

Sonia Leclair, designer of Anomal Couture, showed her fall collection on day three of OFW. It was Leclair’s first time showing at OFW and her pieces owned the runway. It was one of the most extensive collections out of the three days, and each model was worthy of a second look. Leclair is from Montreal and has built a reputable brand by designing exclusive, high-quality creations. Anomal Couture’s fall 2011 collection was inspired by the strength of those who wear her creations; Leclair says her customers are both serious and sensual, exuding ambiguous seduction. Most coveted pieces from Anomal have to be any of her beautifully crafted tops and her finale cascading gown.

Adrian Wu

Adrian Wu closed OFW with a sea of black balloons, a standing ovation and an I love crocs t-shirt. That may seem completely obscure, but in fact, it’s carefully constructed, strategic and utterly brilliant; which is exactly how Wu works. It’s no surprise then, at only 20 years of age, he has already designed several collections, has shown at Vancouver Fashion Week, Ottawa Fashion Week, is a fashion correspondent for Much Music and CTV’s etalk, and has opened his own store in Burlington (Phew! That’s a mouthful!).
Wu’s runway collections are truly innovative and this season he amazed the crowd with patterned and coloured fabrics, jumpers and the works of art he managed to build into dresses (yes, even a mattress). Keep your eye on Wu as he will continue to be a major player in the Canadian fashion scene; and soon to be on the international playing field… just you wait. Favorites for his collection this season were the black fitted dress with a ruffled bottom and his stunning finale dress.