After a one-night showcase, Evan Biddell’s new capsule collection, Brethren, is almost sold out
Evan Biddell was all smiles on his return to Toronto to showcase Brethren by Evan Biddell (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Last night at Yorkville’s UPC Boutique , Evan Biddell showcased his new capsule collection, Brethren, to waves of clients, media and fans who still seem very much addicted to Biddell . We loved a long, blowsy mesh tank top ($60), dresses with long skirts and sheer panels, and vintage-inspired, short-hemmed cocktail dresses ($120 and up). The outcome was a commercial success, which is a direction we saw at Biddell’s last Toronto show before he headed back to Vancouver; this time around, he has made his collection more affordable, relying less on custom orders and more on what women want.
It also seems Toronto women— including editor Briony Smith , blogger Anita Clarke , PR gal Gail McInnes , vintage boutique owner Sarah Magwood and model Sarah Miles — are clamouring for Biddell’s easy-to-wear pieces: it was overheard that UPC Boutique had already sold 50 per cent of Biddell’s inventory as of last night. See images of the Brethren collection after the jump.
What we know about Biddell: he was the winner of Project Runway Canada ’s first season, he admitted to smoking pot (shocking) on television, and he has reached critical success in Toronto for providing fashion lovers with conceptual garments that, while they may not sell, give us something exciting (and different) to look at. What we didn’t know: Biddell is looking to reinvent the way most people shop. “I am trying to reconnect customers with boutiques, to show them they don’t have to rely on department stores who only seem to carry what is written about in magazines,” he says. “It is a return to how we used to shop, before big department stores gained their appeal after a big designer boom.” During his stay in Toronto, he plans to reconnect with old friends and mentors and discuss his new capsule collection with several boutiques in the city. Sarah Magwood, owner of Magwood on Dundas Street West, said she would be carrying the dress she was wearing by Biddell; during her short trip to Yorkville last night, several women asked where she had purchased it. Vintage boutique owners are the new Starbucks cup or branded tote.
69425 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Evan Biddell with his models https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6166web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6166web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6166web.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292832","focal_length":"34","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6166web/ img_6166web 0 0
69416 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Anita Clarke in Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6068web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6068web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6068web.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.8","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308291606","focal_length":"35","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6068web/ img_6068web 0 0
69427 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Briony Smith and Sarah iyles in party Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6205web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6205web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6205web.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"3.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292984","focal_length":"50","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6205web/ img_6205web 0 0
69428 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Gail McInnes in Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6211web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6211web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6211web.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"3.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292996","focal_length":"50","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6211web/ img_6211web 0 0
69422 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Sarah Magwood in Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6100web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6100web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6100web.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"3.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292342","focal_length":"35","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6100web/ img_6100web 0 0
69420 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Model in Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6091web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6091web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6091web.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"3.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292248","focal_length":"34","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6091web/ img_6091web 0 0
69419 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Model in Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6083web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6083web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6083web.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"3.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292222","focal_length":"27","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6083web/ img_6083web 0 0
69418 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Model in Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6074web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6074web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6074web.jpg 416 624 {"aperture":"3.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292186","focal_length":"32","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6074web/ img_6074web 0 0
69417 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6070web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6070web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6070web.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.8","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308291901","focal_length":"20","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6070web/ img_6070web 0 0
69423 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Sarah Magwood and Sarah Miles in Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6130web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6130web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6130web.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"3.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292611","focal_length":"35","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6130web/ img_6130web 0 0
69430 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6227web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6227web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6227web.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"2.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308293299","focal_length":"50","iso":"400","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6227web/ img_6227web 0 0
69421 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Model in Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6094web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6094web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6094web.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"3.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292256","focal_length":"35","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6094web/ img_6094web 0 0
69424 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Sarah Miles in Brethren by Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6145web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6145web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6145web.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"4","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292645","focal_length":"35","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6145web/ img_6145web 0 0
69426 (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani) Evan Biddell https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6192web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6192web.jpg https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_6192web.jpg 624 416 {"aperture":"3.5","camera":"Canon EOS 5D Mark II","created_timestamp":"1308292955","focal_length":"50","iso":"1250","shutter_speed":"0.01"} https://torontolife.com/style/after-a-one-night-showcase-evan-biddells-new-capsule-collection-brethren-is-almost-sold-out/slide/img_6192web/ img_6192web 0 0
I have this image of Kevin Naulls furiously humping Evan Biddell’s leg. Have some dignity, Naulls, and quit using your column to ingratiate yourself.
It’s lovely if Biddell has finally deigned to actually sell clothes (pretentiousness about revolutionizing how people shop aside), but from the slideshow, only 2 of the people in his clothes look great. The others look like really cool people wearing slightly ill-fitting, unflattering clothes, or like they are trying too hard. It’s like it *almost* works but he didn’t have the discipline to carry it through. Typical.
I always get a laugh when I read such passionate negative posts….Biddell you really do ruffle feathers!
There are many of us thrilled that you are obviously in a good place and willing to come back and share with TO from time to time. Always a pleasure to see you and your clothes!
Dear Zip,
The fact that Biddell has abstained from caring about whether or not he SELLS ANYTHING, attests to his love of creating – not making money. His imagination has clearly reigned over the desire to reproduce on a large scale (and enter the unethical garment industry) illustrating integrity in a social climate that equates success with economic wealth. Give him a break- he’s young, experimental, and no he doesn’t always make the mark-but he’s struggling to practice his art form, develop his talent further, and produce here in Canada.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
PS: For Zip,
Might I recommend that you show some courage (& dignity) by expressing your ‘criticality’ with a real name next time.
Or you could just avoid writing vapid slander altogether. Pretentiousness? More like ethical awareness and a support for local business. Get educated or keep your mouth shut-
And low blow on belittling the women wearing the collection. Those are friends of his- clearly supporting him, and not worrying that the fit isn’t perfect.
I agree with Claire. Insolent remarks Zip.Shame on you! Long live the Biddell!
I am totally and completely Addicted to Biddell. So glad he went to nicer climates (not T.O way too many pretentious haters -zip this def includes you kid.)Zip you are definitely what’s wrong with Canadian fashion and your pants are joe fresh and you love them *gag*. Paris, Milan and London would spit on your cheap over produced made in china shoes-just sayin.
I am pleased to witness the defense of Biddell. He has such a sweet and sensitive soul… but alas! artists are the vulnerable, and must be courageous as they place themselves and their creations in positions where judgement and ridicule target… I agree with alex that your statement is lacking for the most part zip, and downright rude… Biddell may not lack self discipline at times, but it is he who will suffer from this, and though criticality is important, yours is neither useful nor constructive. to make fun of the clothes on these people and based on these photos is to miss the point unfortunately… better luck next time :P
TYPO: may lack