Toronto April 28 2008 For Immediate Release
Budding Canadian designers Adrienne Butikofer, Ashley Rowe, Eugenia Leavitt and Lara Presber showed their dramatic Fall 08 collections to a jam-packed crowd of over 1,000 fashion media, celebrities and benefactors during the TFI New Labels designer competition. The finale runway show celebration was in conjunction with the opening gala night of the inaugural ELLE Show presented by ELLE Canada. The night began with a wine reception by Vin de Pays d’Oc and a VIP gala dinner, with net proceeds from ticket sales going directly to Toronto Fashion Incubator.
Montreal native EUGENIA LEAVITT of Eugenia Designs (right) was awarded the generous prize package valued at $25,000 and named the ELLE Canada New Labels Fashion Design WINNER for 2008!
“All four finalists should be very proud of themselves. Chosen from across the country for there unique perspectives, these young designers are on their way to successful careers, a testament that Canadian fashion talent is thriving.” said Susan Langdon, Executive Director of Toronto Fashion Incubator.
The event was hosted by eTalk’s exquisite Tanya Kim (left) wearing a dress designed by one of the new labels judges, David Dixon. Rita Silvan (ELLE Canada), Nathalie Atkinson (National Post), Mary Jo Looby (Retail Consultant), Kathy Cheng (Wing Son Garments) and David Dixon (Designer) deliberated in front of the spectators, reaching their verdict within minutes of the last model’s exit from the runway.
“The designers go through several rigorous critique sessions with the judges that takes months of preparation for the final show ,”says Nathalie Atkinson. “Eugenia won not only for her collection's newsworthiness or because she made organic materials look fashionable and effortless, but because she was receptive to constructive criticism and came a long way in refining her style and fit to get there. The end result was a beautiful collection elevated by its runway styling and pure in its simplicity -- and the fit was impeccable.”
When the media asked “What’s next?” Eugenia focused on the desire to fulfill orders and begin work on her next collection. Her well heeled feet firmly planted in the exciting prospects of her company’s growth.
TORONTO FASHION INCUBATOR
TFI provides a nurturing environment where fashion start-ups can learn the business of fashion through strategic programs and business consulting, mentoring, educational sector-specific seminars, export development webcasts, sales clinics, shared work space, in-house design studios, exclusive promotional and sales opportunities, volunteer programs and valuable sales & marketing resources including leads.
www.fashionincubator.com
www.eugeniadesigns.com
Media contact:
FAULHABER PR
Christine Faulhaber
416 504 0768
