Oct 12, 2006
Eye Weekly
By: Damian Rogers
In the spirit of L’Oreal Fashion Week, which runs Oct. 16-21 at Exhibition Place, we scoured the Toronto Fashion Incubator, a non-profit organization that helps talented young designers get their businesses up and running, for the most exciting new talent. Here are just three of the many great local labels we saw.
GREEN SHAG:
BESPOKE CLOTHIER
The concept: Custom-made, hand-sewn, tailored men’s shirts in fabrics and styles that range from conservative to The Artist Once Again Called Prince. Each shirt includes a set of statement-sized cufflinks with playful images like hockey rinks, beavers and roosters.
The story: Designer Victoria McPhedran started the company three years ago after moving to Toronto from Vancouver. “Every guy has style,” she insists. “I love having the opportunity to draw it out of them.”
Get it: Shirts start at $220. Make an appointment to visit her studio, which is in the beautiful 401 Richmond W. complex. 416.830.0156. www.greenshag.ca
ROPENA: HANDMADE IN CANADA
The concept: Dresses in 100 per cent linen and silk chiffon perfect for lounging around the yacht (real or imagined). Stunning shapes that recall the high-wattages glamour of the ‘60s and ‘70s.
The story: “I love woman,” Ropena says in her sexy, difficult to place accent (she’s from Lebanon). She has worked as a stylist, makeup artist and personal shopper for years, but her real passion is luxury fabrics. Incredibly, this is her first collection and she has pulled it together in less than a month – including the matching hats and belts.
Get it: www.ropenastylist.com
HYPHEN
The concept: Downtown, Queen West style for “women who like to look good and go out and have a good time,” says designer J-P Guarraci. Each season the line combines two words that capture the mood of the line – for example, this fall it’s Soul-Shepherd.
The story: In 2002, Guarraci and Liz Consiglio were out having a few beers (J-P enjoys Moosehead) when they decided that they should combine their visual arts and fashion backgrounds and start a label together. The next morning it still seemed like a great idea and just two years later the duo went on to win the prestigious Outstanding New Labels Fashion Design award granted by the Toronto Fashion Incubator and the New Labels committee.
Get it: Boutique Le Trou (940 Queen St. W.), Georgie Bolesworth/Model Citizen (913 Dundas W.), Trixie (2313 Bloor W.). www.hyphennation.com.
