I must admit: when it comes to fashion… Canada isn’t the first country to pop into my head. But lately there have been some up-and-coming fashion designers (and a few that have been around the block) that have been making headlines not only in Canada, but internationally as well. Here are five Canadian fashion designers you need to know about.
Jeremy Laing
Jeremy is certainly Canadian fashion’s pride and joy. A Toronto resident and a graduate from Ryerson University’s Fashion Design program Jeremy has apprenticed with Alexander McQueen and was a finalist for the ANDAM Fashion Award, which aims to recognize and help young emerging designers on the international fashion scene. Jeremy is a frequent face at New York Fashion Week with his elegant designs for a sophisticated client, but any age can appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship that goes into every detail of each piece. He is truly a Canadian fashion superhero.
VISIT: jeremylaing.com
FOLLOW: @jeremylaing
Fall 2012 / Spring 2013 / Images via Style.com
Chloe comme Parris
Chloe comme Parris is the brainchild of sisters Chloe and Parris Gordon. The line specializes in fashion, jewellery, and accessories for women. Chloe drafts the collection while her sister focuses on the metalwork and accessories, making them a super dynamic duo. Even though their brand was only founded in 2009, they are already turning international heads. They were invited to show at GenArt’s Fresh Faces in Fashion at NYFW which might have been the perfect platform to make fashion headway. This showcase has been the stepping stone for once emerging designers such as Zac Posen, Rodarte, and Vena Cava… Could these two be following in some very successful footsteps?
VISIT: chloecommeparris.com
FOLLOW: @chloecomeparris
Fall 2012 / Images via chloecommeparris.com
Amanda Lew Kee
Another graduate from Ryerson’s School of Fashion, Amanda Lew Kee started receiving recognition at the young age of 19. She was the youngest designer to debut her collection at Toronto Fashion Week and has dressed 90210 sweetheart Shenae Grimes, our lovely sister-from-another-mister Liz Trinnear, and, of course, Miss Piggy. Her aesthetic first emerged almost in all black with feminine silhouettes to counter, but her style continues to evolve and surprise her cult following every season. Like Chloe Comme Parris, Amanda Lew Kee showed her Spring 2013 collection at GenArt’s Fresh Faces in Fashion in New York, allowing her to creep her way across the border. Her designs (usually) have a gothic vibe and are essentially seasonless. All that being said, ALK is one to watch, if you weren’t already.
VISIT: amandalewkee.com
FOLLOW: @amandalewkee
Fall 2012 / Images via PULP & amandalewkee.com
Label
LABEL is designed by Shawna Robinson and Natalie Sydoruk – with comfort, sustainability, and, ultimately, wearability in mind. They produce all of their garments in Toronto and even screen print their t-shirts by hand. LABEL is a favourite for clothing that’ll fit seamlessly into your everyday wardrobe, and still make a statement. Their garments are always body conscious without compromising style and without looking laboured over. If you’re a girl on the go, then LABEL should be your go-to.
VISIT: seenolabel.com
FOLLOW: @label_clothing
Fall 2012 / Images via seenolabel.com
Complex Geometries
Complex Geometries is the vision of designer Clayton Evans, created out of Montreal, Quebec. The clothing provides an interactive spin on simplicity by letting the wearer of the garment choose the style, since many of the pieces can be worn in several different ways. All of the pieces are an unexpected spin on basics, most coming out successful and others a bit crazy. Many of the garments are unimaginably creative, yet done in simple colour palettes and fabrics to balance them out. They are stocked internationally but as far as Canada goes, you can pick something up in Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa.
VISIT: complexgeometries.com
FOLLOW: @c_geometries
Fall 2012 / Images via complexgeometries.com
Tagged Amanda Lew Kee, Canadiana, chloe comme parris, complex geometries, Jeremy Laing, Label, shopping
