While it will take place at the same time, your show isn’t officially part of Fashion Week. Why?
Stephen: This way, we have more control.
Kirk: Let’s just say that last year they promised a lot and didn’t deliver. Everything was “no, no, no,” and we don’t take no very nicely.

What inspires the latest line?
S: Last season was about the ’40s. This year, we wanted a more modern icon, so we chose Bo Derek in 10. Everyone had the braided hair and the tan.

So cornrows are back, then?
S: As with everything in fashion, you have the flavour of it. You might not find them in hair, but you’d find them in an accessory.

Nelly Furtado wore one of your gowns. Is there any other celeb you would love to dress?
S: You always like Rihanna.
K: Yeah, Rihanna and Kate Hudson, but none of those other young Hollywood girls.

You mean you don’t want to see Britney Spears in your clothes?
K: Actually, I would like to see her in them. At least she’d be dressed!

Where do you like to shop in Toronto?
K: I like Zara. I like the concept, even though I shouldn’t. Copy what’s on the runway—they do it well at a good price.
S: I saw one of our dresses copied by H&M and I was like, damn! As long as it’s a good copy, I think it’s fine. The people who are buying it there aren’t going to be buying where we sell, anyway.

How did you guys get started?
S: We couldn’t find what we wanted, or it didn’t fit the right way, so we made our own clothes.
K: Stephen used to wear a breastplate, like Batman [uncontrollable laughter].
S: Thanks, Kirk. We’ve both had some very memorable fashion moments.

What’s the one must-have item for fall?
K: A dress that can take you from work, to dinner, to an evening out. To us, a dress is like a man’s suit.