Jeremy Laing, 28, who currently lives in Toronto Canada, is a Peterborough native who spent his childhood in Germany watching intently as his mother sewed and mended, and began to learn the craft himself at the age of 13. Educated at Ryerson University and Westminster University of London, and apprenticed by the late Alexander McQueen, Jeremy has developed a signature style all his own. Unperturbed by current style trends, this designer consistently produces uniquely beautiful geometric contemporary designs, and his Spring collection was no exception to this style of modern elegance. Models swathed in free flowing sensuous fabrics in various shades of grey, showcased in the organic spring line, and each piece had a very minimalist look. The models looked elegant and simple, romanticizing our aesthetic understanding of nature.
Smyths’s designs were fun, functional, and fabulous, with women’s daywear done in in acidic fleuro brights and acutely bold prints. Some of the most eye catching women’s wear looks, were a high sheen silk, elastic waisted narrow legged trouser done in bold solids, paired with a contrastingly coloured three quarter length jacket.
Naked and Famous’s line mirrored Smyth’s flair for the eccentric with a neon colour palette commonly seen this season, only done in menswear. Classic straight legged trousers paired with tailored dress shirts were done entirely in hues of purple, tying the line together.
TwentyCluny was at the height of elegance a la breakfast at Tiffanies, featuring a womenswear line done entirely in black and white. Perhaps the most beautiful piece was a fitted classic black dress with an over exaggerated sweet heart neckline, with a raised scoop neckline done in a delicate sheer black lace.
Denis Gagnon was also thinking in black and white for this Spring, with one pop of colour in a 60’s inspired MOD dress in a floral print.
Dennis Morotto creates the perfect business casual looks with his sleek designs, also done in a trendy black and white colour palette.
Lida Baday stunned with a bold orange MOD dress
Wings+Horns menswear highlights were bright knitted sweaters, beige khaki trousers, and pastel sports jackets making for versatile leisure wear.

SARAH STEVENSON

In the Studio room, the models were artwork within themselves next to the framed textile art prints designed by Sarah Stevenson. The art gallery set-up made a perfect balance between art and design. All the blouses, dresses and skirts all portrayed a delicate and light whimsicalness feel to it, as if the beauty of spring has already bloomed in the room. Inspired by Lilacs, Magnolias, Ivy, Mountains and Clouds, Sarah succeed to preserve all of these natural creations in her designs. In addition, all the models had the uniform hair and make-up with gives a feeling of unity and harmony between all tof the clothes and models.

LUCIEN MATIS

Fashion enthusiasts recently converged on Sudbury 99 for the unveiling of Toronto designer Lucian Matis’ 2012 Spring/Summer collection. Dramatic, bold colors and shapes with a dash of high-glam, were key in this year’s collection. Well known for using soft pastels in past collections, Lucian decided to go in a different direction. Taking his inspiration from the Henri Matisse painting “The Green Line”/”La Raie Verte” (Matisse’s famed artwork of his beloved wife Emilie), he chose to incorporate the painting’s color palette and textures into the collection. The collection itself was a play of contrasts: from light to dark and vibrant and muted colors. This was seen in the warm yet vivid punches of royal blue, orange, yellow, purple, fuchsia, blue-green and red which played nicely off the more subtle gray and champagne colors.

WEARABLE ART

The Wearable Art Show took place this past September 2011 in Mississauga featuring over 40 designers with unique styles and trends to offer. From jewellery to fashion to even bags, this place was a one stop shop for people who have an eclectic style and do not want the generic trends offered at retail stores. FW gives this place a two thumbs up for creativity and fashion spirit!

ATTITUDE BY JAY MANUEL

Closing out Day 2 of LG Fashion Week, was America’s Next Top Model Creative Director Jay Manuel with his Spring/Summer 2012 Attitude line for Sears. Celebrity faces who packed the house to take in the show included Bustle designer Shawn Hewson, top model Stacy McKenzie, ET Canada personality Kim D’Eon, singer Deborah Cox and stylist June Ambrose. Adding to the excitement and drama of the show’s opening moments was the addition of a dry ice fog machine in which smoke billowed out over the runway.
Despite a fall by Canadian supermodel Yasmin Warsame early on, the rest of the show managed to go off without a hitch. The mix of gypsy meets urban-safari-chic with its jet-setting traveler appeal was reminiscent of summer on the beaches of Miami and other warm tropical locale. With its safari-inspired separates, loose off-the-shoulder knits, slouchy pants and one piece jumpsuits, the theme of the night was stylish yet comfortable. The collection itself was a wearable blend of sandy neutrals and whites with dashes of bright pink, orange, blue. On-trend animal prints in shades of tan, khaki, pink and blue tones also made a bold statement throughout the show. Accessories such as straw fedoras, turbans, headscarves and oversized sunglasses further emphasized the summery beach feeling.
While many hardcore fashionistas may deem it as safe, the everyday woman will nonetheless find this collection very appealing. Geared towards women who want affordable and stylish yet wearable clothing that can be easily incorporated into their daily lives, Jay Manuel’s Attitude line manages to successfully pull it off and achieve just that.

CHLOE COMME PARRIS

Designer sisters Chloe and Parris Gordon aka Chloe Comme Parris, set out to create an intimate art gallery vibe atmosphere during their recent Spring/Summer 2012 collection at LG Fashion Week. Extra little touches such as the paint-splattered canvas that served as a makeshift runway as well as the wall paintings (painted by the girls’ own mother), actually highlighted the collection itself. Taking their inspiration from the days of Victorian necklines and silhouettes, the sisters wanted to showcase the concept of Victorian dressing while at the same time, give it a modern update.
With colors ranging from navy, cream, olive and yellow, the collection was effortlessly chic with a laid-back summer feeling. From loose knits, sleek tailored suit jackets and separates complete with metal buttons and zipper ends specially designed by the duo themselves, to the muted and subtle colored bohemian-style print frocks, the line proved to be an interesting study in contrasts. With their strong tailoring and attention to small details, Chloe Comme Parris is an up and coming brand to look out for.

CYNTHIA ROWLEY FOR KELLOGGS SPECIAL K

Crowds gathered at LG Fashion Week for the debut of fashion designer Cynthia Rowley’s collection of red dresses for three Canadian women as part of the Kellogg’s Special K Start Something Fabulous program. The show was a hit and fashion enthusiasts participated in the celebration of Kellogg’s Special K nationwide search to find three fabulous everyday women who demonstrate the confidence that comes from looking and feeling your best.

ADRIAN WU

If Adrian Wu’s designs don’t leave you in awe his age will. At the young age of 18 Adrian first began to teach himself to sew and nearly two years later, at only 21, Adrian Wu has broken the barrier for young Canadian designers. He has been acclaimed by Jeanne Becker as a Designer to Watch, opened his very own boutique (and hoping to open another one in Toronto by the end of 2011), has been published internationally in a book called Style Diaries, has had mentions in Flare, Fashion Magazine, and Fashion Television, and showed his most recent collection, ‘Creatures of the Photons’, at LG Fashion Week. It is apparent that this passion-driven designer has caught the attention of many fashion critics, fans, and especially Fashion Weekly.
From the coloured spots on the floor to the quartet in centre of the studio, Adrian Wu had strategically planned the event to not only be a show but an experience. As the crowd settled and the live stringed quartet began to play models, on 8 inch heels designed by Adrian himself, slowly walked across the spotted floor to show off a long awaited and hard worked for collection. With circular head pieces and dark shadowy eyes to dress each models head, each design came out more dramatic and Avante-Garde than the next. A favourite of the collection, ‘doubt’ worn by Adrienne Buller, is described as a white and cream voile cocktail dress resembling an upside down blooming flower and was chosen as the most outlandish wedding dress at LG Fashion Week by Flare. With detail and design as extravagant and unique as Adrian’s, Fashion Weekly got to chat with the young designer backstage to take a closer look at the collection and to find out what this bright minded designer has in store for him in the years to come.
What Inspired your collection?
Well the idea actually started with Quantum Physics, but then it merged up into the idea of how many times can i make something beautiful out of lamps and shapes. At the same time it is the simplicity and the juxtaposition of modern and and classic, such as with the polkadots strewn around the runway and the violinist quartet playing.

What materials did you use for the collection to create the structural look?
It’s voile! Voile is a french word meaning veil and it is primarily used as a wedding gown material, actually the entire collection is made of it! To give the gowns that stiffness I also used a LOT of crinoline.
Already at 21 you have a successful novel “Style Diaries, you have been acclaimed by Jeanne Becker as Designer to Watch, you’ve opened a boutique and have just shown in LG Fashion Week. What’s next for Adrian Wu in 2012?
To be honest I don’t know! So far I’ve just got my boutique in downtown Toronto which is opening soon. I think that in the future I will have to expand to fashion centers like New York, but I’m really loving the industry in Toronto. It will always be my home.
At 21 Adrian has proven to skeptics and critics alike that age cannot limit one’s ability or talent. This young designer’s name is etched into the fashion industry. Adrian Wu still has more talent to share with the world and with so many connections and lips spreading his name, he will always have the opportunity to. So thank you to Adrian Wu and Adrian Wu’s team for giving gurus, journalists, icons, and Fashion Weekly a once in a life time experience.

MICALLA’S

As Micalla’s latest line of jewelry hit the runway at LG Fashion week, every girl was rapt in awe at the absolutely stunning brilliance of their “I Remus” line. The show began with an artistic representation of the jewelry shown on screen.
The short film featured an elegantly effervescent woman in a classic form fitted dress and a vintage style french twist adorned in Micalla’s extravagant, high glamour pieces. Her posh persian laps in luxury amongst glittering Micalla pieces, and both woman and cat coyly intermingle with a classic gentleman and love interest. The film ends and the show begins with the temptress leaving the man empty handed with a message written on the vanity: “You’re Purr-fect- Kat.”
The line then came to life as the models strutted down the runway in understated knee length dresses to a sassy Streisand ballad. No one was looking at the models though, as it was clear that the emphasis was on the jewelry adorning their necks. Each piece was a vintage dream, a modern reinvention of old hollywood glamour using chunky beads, vibrant colours, oversized gemstones, and sparkling Swarovski crystals. This line is eye catching and opulent, but classic enough to be worn with daywear to add guaranteed allure to any conservative style. It is a perfect representation of it’s slogan;As Micalla’s latest line of jewelry hit the runway at LG Fashion week, every girl was rapt in awe at the absolutely stunning brilliance of their “I Remus” line. The show began with an artistic representation of the jewelry shown on screen. “I modern vintage, bold cuts and vibrant colour in fresh combinations I daring adventures in broad daylight Daily indulgences and fierce independence” The last line says it all…”But most of all, I Remus.