Shop the designers at Toronto Fashion Week FW16
While the weather is getting warmer and we’re gearing up our SS16 wardrobe, the fashion world is already thinking of the next season of fall/winter trends. Every year, Canadian designers hit the runway at Toronto Fashion Week (#TFW) showcasing their coveted collections. Lucky for Torontonians, many of the labels can be found right in the neighbourhood. [Feature image: Hayley Elsaesser]
Bustle Clothing Showroom
371 Berkeley St, Toronto, ON M5A 2X8Founded in 2002 by Bay Street lawyers Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow, Bustle Clothing is a men’s sportswear label. Their pieces are versatile, with pants and blazers in classic cuts that easily go from work to play. Think of their designs as what you’d see on the golf (Canadian golfer Mike Weir is part of their roster of celeb clients) or tennis courts, but with a cheeky twist. Shop from their showroom on Berkeley Street and Parliament by appointment only. Go for a classy, simple suit, or add a touch of personality with their striped and printed designs.
Christopher Paunil Studio
563 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON M5A 2B7What started as just a bridal brand in 2010 has expanded to add ready-to-wear evening wear. Fashion designer Christopher Paunil and business leader Chalo Hancock are the duo behind the label’s glamorous gowns. Using luxurious fabrics, Christopher designs form-flattering silhouettes with details like cuts and knits. His wedding dresses concentrate on woven fabrics and can be found at Kleinfeld (who picked up the brand when it first opened its doors on Queen Street). Christopher’s studio in the 6, near Regent Park, is accessible by appointment only. Call or email to get outfitted for your wedding or a special occasion.
Tnt The New Trend
394 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M5N 1A2If you’re a fashion-forward woman looking for attainable luxury (worn by Selena Gomez and JLO), then you’ll want to seek out LaMarque. This Montreal brand is known for its focus on leather – from jackets to dresses to tops and pants, with prices starting from $200. Creative director Ifigenia Papadimitriou takes a timeless approach to her designs, which makes them obtainable investment pieces. Shop the brand’s leather jackets – a seasonally versatile wardrobe staple – at TNT (The New Trend), a boutique on Eglinton and Avenue Road that carries around 350 designer labels from around the globe.
Picadilly Fashions
4050 Chesswood Dr, North York, ON M3J 2B9Family-run since 1975, Picadilly is a sophisticated women’s wear brand. They play with bold prints and textures that aren’t too out there – polished enough for work and dubbed as classy evening wear. Their 2016 FW collection will debut at #TFW, which is a collaborative line between Canadian designers David Dixon, Joeffer Caoc and Franciska Veress. Picadilly also works with other prominent Canadian designers like Lucian Matis, who outfitted Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau for her first official visit to the White House. Check out the brand’s factory outlet store on Sheppard Avenue West, between Allen Road and Keele Street.
Hayley Elsaesser
695 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1E6While Hayley Elsaesser’s designs might not suit everyone’s day-to-day style, you cannot help but be captivated by them. Hayley’s no stranger to #TFW; she first hit the runway in 2014, winning Best Newcomer. Not only do her colourful, pattern-heavy clothes stand out, but so does her brand’s use of diverse models – from different ethnicities, body shapes and ages. Shop for yourself, or your young-at-heart grandma, at Hayley’s retro boutique on Queen Street. The shooting star longline blazer, slushy printed dress, and admin one sequin top and skirt will bring a ray of sunshine to your wardrobe.
Maxi Boutique
27 Bellair St, Toronto, ON M5R 2C8There’s no doubt that design duo Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong have done their fieldwork in the fashion industry. Kirk was a Milan stylist, Stephen a costume designer for film, before they started their line of ready-to-wear luxury apparel for women in 2006 (and in Toronto, no less). Greta Constantine, named after Stephen’s mother and Kirk’s grandfather, is a minimalist yet glamorous label that has graced many red carpets. From the looks of Paris Fashion Week, their 2016 FW collection is all about shimmer. Shop their current collection at Maxi Boutique, a Yorkville hotspot specializing in designer evening wear.
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