There are few reasons we look forward to The shOws each season, probably more so than the grander catwalks at Toronto Fashion week, but mostly it’s because they take fashion more seriously. With designers like Jeremy Laing, Jean Pierre-Braganza, COMRAGS, and Tanya Taylor showing this season, they’ve chosen the east end industrial space of the Andrew Richard Designs loft as a perfect blank canvas to showcase these seasoned talents (think Milk Made Fashion Week, but less extensive).
Hosted by designer Brian Bailey last night we enjoyed presentations first from COMRAGS, one of Toronto’s most well established seasoned labels, as well as a replay of Jean Pierre-Braganza’s fall winter 2013 collection which was originally seen at London Fashion back in February.
The more conservative of the two designers showing, COMRAGS presented a moody, loose fitting collection of garments in new custom prints and beautiful vintage textiles. Simply styled with the addition of a pair of sparkly socks and the odd belt to give shape to outerwear, the fabrics and slight detailing really took centre stage for the fall winter season.
Next up was the decidedly edgier slightly dystopian collection from Jean-Pierre Braganza for the fall winter 2013 season. Top knotted models made a splash down the runway in colour blocked garments designed with botanical anime style prints incorporated. The feeling was absolutely fierce, bordering on a mystical Kill Bill-esque samuri, with mesmerizing circular patterns laser cut into leather coat, an ombre printed maxi dress, and tightly bound wrap belts. Following the show the Royal Ontario Museum Textiles and Costume curator Dr. Alexandra Palmer talked at length with Braganza about his fine techniques, which are easy to overlook when you buy into the drama on the runway.
Two very different collections, but both exciting in their own right. Take a look at some of the best Canadian talent below in our runway snaps and stay tuned for more coverage of Jeremy Laing, Tanya Taylor, and Steven Tai tomorrow!
