August, 2006
STYLE MAGAZINE
Canada's up-and-coming designers were given the opportunity to showcase their ready-to-wear collections on a professional platform at the Toronto Fashion Incubator's TFI New Labels 2006 Design Competition in March. Designer duo Beryl Bacchus and Patrick Larrivee of Fashion Psychology, Karamea by Michelle Turpin, Las Valentias by Erin Keatch and Katya Revenko of Desperately Different surprised everyone with their impressive talent and creative garments. At the end of the show Susan Langdon, executive director of the Toronto Fashion Incubator, introduced the head judge, Elle Canada editor-in-chief RIta Silvan, who announced Katya Revenko as the winner of the New Labels Fashion Award. Valued at over $25,000, the prize includes $1,000 cash, a featured free spot in the TFI New Labels 2006 show, and a one-page editorial in Elle Canada. Also, new this year, the collection will be available at TNT Blu's Hazelton Lanes location.
The title "Moving Forward in Time...Looking Back in Time..." set the scene for Desperately Different's collection of beautiful brocades, timeless tweeds, simple stripes and perfectly placed pleats, panels and inserts, each named after its source of inspiration. Stylist Sarah Jay added the finishing touches with metallic tights, elbow-length knitted mitts and matching hats. Not to be outdone, Fashion Psychology put on a spectacular show. The Mary, Queen of Scots collection carried a solid theme of rich brocades, sequined tweeds, decked-out denim with crystal detailing, and corsets laced with berry and teal ribbons.
Black, red and champagne were the prominent colours in Karamea's "Timeless Opulence - Threads from an Ancient Nomadic Journey" collection. Dupioni hems, both pleated and plain, were featured on wool and chiffon skirts and dresses topped with wool and angora boleros or capes.
"Patchwork Quilt Found in A Hidden Forest" was the theme behind Las Valentias. Mainly spotlighting jackets of wool, leather and twill, each item featured extensive patchwork, embroidery or silkscreen detailing with occasional lacing detail ro ruffled trim.
