Toronto Fashion Week: 18 incredible looks from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad
Toronto Fashion Week: 18 incredible looks from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad
By Caroline Youdan | March 14, 2014
By Caroline Youdan | 03/14/2014
(Images: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Held each season just before Toronto Fashion Week proper, The Shows celebrates the work of Canadian talents who have graduated to bigger, splashier ponds, like New York, London and Paris. The Fall 2014 edition, held over two days at the Storys Buildings, included shows by Montreal-born suit specialist Antonio Azzuolo and New York-based Kaelen Haworth, plus repeat performances from design duo Bellavance and Vancouverite-turned-Londoner Steven Tai, who traded last season’s sporty, geek-chic looks for feminine pleats and voluminous fringes. Below, the highlights from each collection.
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265024 <strong>Steven Tai </strong>departed from last season’s geek-chic aesthetic with feminine pleats, dropped waists and demure hemlines. (During the post-show Q&A, moderator <b>Alexandra Palmer</b> noted that Tai’s fall collection was “actually kind of normal”) <br />
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-01-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-01.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-01.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-01/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-01 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265025 Tai also played with a repeating embroidered floral motif, similar to<strong> Prada’</strong>s <a href="http://www.shop4jewel.com/images/Flats/2014-Exquisite-Prada-Women-Black-Patent-Leather-Flat-Shoes-Flower-Pattern-For-Cheap_001.jpg">signature blooms</a> (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-02-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-02.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-02.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-02/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-02 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265026 The Vancouver expat rounded out his collection with a handful of moody indigo looks, like this blue knit top overflowing with jacquard fringe. (“It’s the idea of girl who broke up with boyfriend and she’s keeping his clothes and slashing them up,” he explained) (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-03-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-03.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-03.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-03/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-03 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265027 The pleats go all the way to the floor in this black and white ensemble (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-04-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-04.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-04.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-04/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-04 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265028 <strong>Kaelen Haworth </strong>is known for her urban, all-black apparel, so this collection’s pastels and ruffels were something of a surprise. Masculine shapes—like this slouchy jumpsuit—kept the line from looking too frou-frou (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-05-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-05.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-05.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-05/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-05 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265029 Haworth wasn’t afraid to mix patterns and textures, or to clash colours, as she did by pairing this tomato-red mohair jacket with a pale pink fox-fur stole (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-06-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-06.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-06.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-06/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-06 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265030 Brooklyn-based natural dyer <b>Audrey Louise Reynolds</b> coloured some of the collection’s pieces with squid ink and berries (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-07-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-07.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-07.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-07/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-07 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265031 This slouchy violet coat provided one of the collection’s few pops of bold colour (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-08-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-08.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-08.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-08/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-08 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265033 Ryerson grad <b>Antonio Azzuolo’</b>s debut womenswear line combined the bespoke taylor’s impeccable suiting with feminine touches, like fitted trousers and belted tunics (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-10-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-10.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-10.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-10/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-10 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265035 Other pieces played with volume, like this textured oversized sweater (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-12-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-12.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-12.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-12/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-12 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265036 The same chunky knit showed up on a bold violet vest in the menswear collection (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-13-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-13.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-13.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-13/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-13 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265037 The Montreal native accented his menswear line with traditionally feminine colours, like the bright fuschia of this draped sweater (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-14-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-14.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-14.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-14/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-14 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265038 <b>Nolan Bellavance</b> and <b>Ava Hama </b>called this pleated black material “garbage-bag fabric.” Their collection was inspired by “uniforms that aren’t quite right,” as moderator <b>Alexandra Palmer </b>put it. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-15-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-15.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-15.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-15/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-15 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265039 Bellavance and Hama also played with pattern: this simple argyle design is based on the interlocking spokes of a chain-link fence (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-16-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-16.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-16.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-16/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-16 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265040 The cropped, layered blouse gives this demure look a youthful, modern edge (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-17-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-17.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-17.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-17/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-17 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265041 Hard, undistressed denim was a running theme in the collection. Hama spent hours sanding down the seams, to give each one a soft blue glow. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-18-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-18.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-18.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-18/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-18 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265042 The Parsons grads played with girlish uniform shapes, adding unexpected features, like skin-revealing cutouts (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-19-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-19.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-19.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-19/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-19 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
265044 The chain-link pattern also showed up on white pleated garments, like this feminine mid-length skirt. The pattern was applied over the pleats, so it broke up as the model walked, giving the piece a slightly distorted appearance (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad Toronto Fashion Week: Fall 2014 highlights from four Canadian designers who have hit it big abroad https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-21-96x96.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-21.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-21.jpg 667 1000 [] https://torontolife.com/style/fashion-week-the-shows-fall-2014/slide/toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-21/ toronto-fashion-week-fall-2014-best-of-the-shows-21 0 0
(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)