Canadian designer Mark Fast declines to give clothes to Lady Gaga, gives them to Topshop instead

Canadian designer Mark Fast declines to give clothes to Lady Gaga, gives them to Topshop instead

Mark Fast at Ame in December (Photo by Karon Liu)

Just before the holidays, we predicted that Canadian designer Mark Fast would be thrust into the spotlight in 2010. Three short weeks later, we were proven right. Back then, we wondered whether the designer’s attention-grabbing show during London fashion week (it included plus-sized models) was a fluke, but since his quick trip to Toronto in December, he’s been making headlines all over the world. It seems the humble Manitoban has a knack for handling the press. Last week, he refused to lend his clothes to armoured style icon Lady Gaga (even though he loves “Bad Romance”), saying his designs are not about “fast food fashion.” That’s a head scratcher of a statement, since he launched a lower-priced diffusion line called Faster the same week and since there is talk about him designing a line for the speediest of fashion retailers, Topshop (also rumoured to be opening in Toronto in the near future).

But no matter: fashion’s about looking good, not making sense. Just ask Shinan Govani, who gives his seal of approval today, anointing the designer the “Erin Brockovich of London.” But we think a better label might be the Fame Monster. Or is that title already taken?

Shinan: Secrets of the stitch [National Post]
• Mark Fast declined to lend clothes to Lady Gaga, shuns ‘fast-food fashion’ [The Cut]
Mark Fast passes on dressing Lady Gaga [Metro]
Fast times at Topshop [BlackBook]