| ALTERNATIVE FASHION WEEK - NATURAL CURRENCIES |
| Written by Jessica Hill - Sunday, 01 May 2011 | |
ICA WATERMELON
On April 27th, fashion lovers swarmed F.A.T. (Fashion Art Toronto) to attend "Natural Currencies" – the second night of Alternative Fashion Week in Toronto, that hosted thought-provoking artistic exhibits and a myriad of creative fashion collections all examining the topic of sustainability & fashion. Kelly Drennan of Fashion Takes Action opened the night by reminding us that sustainable fashion today is no longer the granola clothing of the past. Today it is trend-setting garments made from upcycled and environmentally friendly fabrics manufactured in a fair working environment. Kelly introduced the first four collections including Loft 604, Jool, Kali and Worth by David C. Wigley.
Loft 604 set the audience in a "creative frame of mind" with their contemporary yet modern men's collection. Models swaggered down the runway in knit sweaters and cargo pants. Elbow patches, pockets, and cuffs all came together in pieces that showed attention to detail in a casual, relaxed style. Some notable items from this European inspired line were the rolled neck cardigans and cowl neck casual sweaters. Loft 604 has delivered us a menswear collection that is luxurious, relaxed with unexpected details that define each piece.
Kali hit the runway with soft draping tops and dresses in solid earth tones from designer Caterina Mazzotta's seasonless collection. Kali designs represent "slow fashion" – a movement that promotes investing in pieces that can be worn year round to build a more sustainable wardrobe. Simple silhouettes certainly did not lack style, and many of these classic must-haves could be easily accessorized to make your perfect look. I found myself coveting almost every piece - especially the soft and slouchy charcoal blouse and the scoop neck olive tunic. The 2011 collection is made from Lyocell – a fabric derived from pulp of the eucalyptus tree. In every movement this soft fabric practically glowed with the soft and sensual fashion that is Kali.
In the first unexpected moment of the night, Worth by David C. Wigley opened with a ballerina garbed in black who hit the runway with a dark energetic dance that introduced a professional and edgy collection. Hand dyed fabrics and impeccable craftsmanship were featured throughout in blouses, vests, and tops in outfits that alternated between designs for men and women. The ballerina inspiration was evident in billowing shapes such as in the adorable harlem pants, but a harder rock & roll edge was found in geometric vests and tops too. A solid conclusion to the first set of designers was a floor length billowing blue-grey dyed gown that seemed to float around the model. In his fourth collection, David C. Wigley has defined a unique voice in the world of fashion.
Nettie Blanche brought out the feminine and the whimsy with designer Ashleigh McIver's line of chunky knits, floral jackets, and sweet dresses. The white high neck cape that opened the collection stole my heart, paired with a vintage floral beautifully tailored skirt. Warm colours including shades of burgundy, strawberry, and pumpkin characterized the pieces in this collection that felt cozy and light at the same time.
Continuing with the theme of knits were the stunning and artistic pieces by German designer Julia Knüpfer in her line Ica Watermelon. Hand knit dresses with loose holes, a beautiful loop fringed shawl, and a tight black knit sweater with statement puffy shoulders all screamed high fashion. A sexy white strapless dress completely abolishes the idea that this traditional craft is reserved for grandma's sweaters. This award-winning designer merges culture and creativity in the intricate details and one-of-a-kind patterns that compose her collection.
Awe-inspiring is the only way to describe the fairytale created by Mackenzie Jones' runway show. Male and female models danced down the runway in a ritualistic performance wrought with sexual energy. Black and white gowns featured corset like lacing, swirling detailing, plunging necklines and slits. The models were costumed in horns, antlers, fur and feathers to represent animals in a fashion meets nature mating dance. This intricate story enhanced the couture-like fashion of the grey silk, creamy white, and black nature motifs that made up each piece. This Calgary based designer delivered an outstanding runway show worthy of her bold designs.
Little White Dress debuted its first collection at F.A.T. with an assortment of darling white dresses featuring flattering shapes and flirty details. Recycled and eco-friendly materials make up this line of old Hollywood inspired evening wear. I found myself picturing the occasions for such a little white dress, including summer cocktail parties, or even the modern bride searching for a simple one-of-a-kind gown. Every dress included sweet detailing such as hand-sewn pearls, satin ribbon, and cotton lace. Created by design duo, Jessica van Enckevort and Alexandra Wilson this beautiful collection stands out in its niche. In addition to the fashion shows, the evening was peppered with artistic exhibits and films that examined the lifecycle of fashion. I enjoyed being introduced to some new designs, and left with the reassurance that sustainable fashion truly is on its way to becoming mainstream.
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