Toronto Fashion Week, an event showcasing fashion, art and culture takes place in Yorkville, Toronto’s revitalized and most prestigious luxury retail neighborhood. The bi-annual event hosts national and international designers, entertainers and the fashion community to create a touchpoint where fashion is embraced and celebrated. As the leading fashion event in Canada, Toronto Fashion Week creates a catalyst for media engagement, retail activity and global connectivity.
90s Kids Bio: 90sKids is a ready to wear fashion label merging vintage styles with current high-end streetwear culture. Designers Shehroz Asad and Kendrick Tran use their shared passion for fashion, pop culture and art to create pieces that mean something to the consumer. An homage to the past and present we aim to shape the future.
Website:90skidssite.com
Instagram: @shop90skids
Facebook:@shop90skids
Twitter:@shop90skids
As a young boy from the age of 3, I have been passionate about designing clothing; I was influenced by celebrity icons such as the Spice Girls and theater productions such as The Wizard of Oz. Today my maturity and passion has only grown; influenced by modern day performers and artists such as Lady Gaga, The Spice Girls, Madonna, designers such as Jeremy Scott, Alexander McQueen, and Donatella Versace.
Women’s fashion has always been my main passion, aside from sketching. My first opportunity to construct a garment came during my last year of high school where I fast tracked my initial construction skills and participated in a school fashion show.
As a student of the Ryerson Fashion Design program, I was immersed in the development of my creativity from the aspect of design and unique material selection for Ladies, Children and Men’s wear. Designs are expressed with art, individuality and creativity to challenge the conventional. Experimenting with different fabrics and bold colours allowed my vision to transform a sketch to reality. Involvement in the Ryerson Fur Design program had exposed and challenged me to new materials and opportunities for continued creativity.
The confidence through the development of my education and craft have allowed me to network and grow opening doors to many fashion experiences such as internships with clothing stylists and fashion competitions. Having participated in the Mississauga Business Enterprise centre gave me the confidence, tools and knowledge to start a business which has continued to expand since its launch back in 2015. The ARNIERI brand has been featured in high end hair magazines all over North America thanks to the Schwarzkopf Canada team. Connecting with Entertainment Tonight Canada gave ARNIERI world wide exposer when host Sangita Patel wore a custom ARNIERI gown to the 2018 Golden Globe Awards. I continued to represent my brand when I was featured as a contestant on the new Slice TV competition show “STITCHED”.
Life is a statement to be lived everyday and garments are a means of my expression of this. My dream and vision for the future is to continue designing garments that challenge the fashion norm. The pursuit of fashion allows me to express and challenge my creative uniqueness; I learn more and more everyday from my experiences, the inspiration of life, humanity and the world.
Instagram:@adrian_arnieri
“Fashion is about finding what excites you and makes you feel confident – the best outfit is something you can’t wait for the world to see you in.” – Anisha
Inspired by the eclectic culture of Toronto and her passion to create art, Anisha Kumar launched her brand in the Summer of 2018.
Her handcrafted pieces combine cultural construction techniques with modern design to create pieces that exude style and class while remaining functional. The silhouettes go beyond a “normalized” perception of what is considered “sexy” by highlighting the unconventional – the collar bone, rib cage, back, and legs. Anisha strives to keep the environment, sustainability and ethics in mind as she continually improves her design process. As a multidisciplinary artist, she encourages creativity by making versatile pieces that can be styled to fit anyone’s personality. This brand aims to bring light to the stories of our world and evoke emotion that will create lasting memories.
Website:Anishakumar.com
Instagram:@anishakumarofficial
Twitter:@anishakumarofficial
THE BRAND
CHRISTOPHER BATES fully embraces the Made in Italy philosophy. He offers genuine excellence to his customers through his contemporary collections comprised of both menswear and footwear for a total look that is modern, yet timeless. His brand appeals to discerning men who appreciate premium products that are stylish, artisanal, and crafted from a sophisticated selection of materials.
The Christopher Bates Man has a dynamic personality. He loves to experiment without excess, and desires a clean design that is enriched with thoughtful details.
You can be as young at 50 as you are at 25, and those who choose Christopher Bates do not impose limitations on themselves. Bates demolishes these barriers, these age-related stereotypes; he is life, the real one, made up of business meetings and evenings with friends, of love and passion, of present and future.
Significant attention is given to the choice of materials and colour palette. The artisanal laboratories that produce the brand are rigorously screened. Bates’ cosmopolitan spirit emerges in a dominant way throughout his collections and he never compromises on quality or style. That is the reason behind the Made in Italy choice and why all that emerges from his touch is perfect for the weekend, for the evening, for the urban-look.
THE DESIGNER
Originally from Canada, Christopher Bates has chosen his real name to represent himself in the fashion world. He was educated at Istituto Marangoni in Milan, a renowned institution synonymous with fashion, design and art. Since his debut, this intrepid designer has achieved a meteoric rise in the fashion industry. In 2014 he established a design studio in Milan to produce, with pride, in this splendid country.
The determination that Christopher Bates expresses is almost palpable, and apparent in every aspect of his life. He is versatile and particularly focused on beautiful, innovative details. He has an innate curiosity and is inspired by anatomy, architecture, geometry and also from other art forms such as cooking. His ultimate style icon is Sean Connery’s James Bond. He sells to influential retailers including: Nordstrom, Harry Rosen, and Gotstyle.
In 2009, Bates was featured as one of the top menswear designers in Canada by Sharp Magazine. In 2012, he was featured as the only menswear designer in the Mercedes-Benz StartUp Program and awarded a sponsored show at Toronto Fashion Week. In 2014, he was included in Canada’s Top 100 Most Influential People (Alberta Youth Congress). He was also nominated for the 2014 and 2015 Notable Award for Fashion in Canada. In 2018 Bates won a Visionary Award from Fashion Group International, Toronto (FGI) and in 2019 he won the Canadian Menswear Designer of the Year Award (CAFA).
He also designed the new uniforms for Air Canada – one of the largest airlines in the world. Unveiled worldwide in the Spring of 2018, the new uniforms have already won several awards including two Image of the Year Awards: “Best of the Best” and Transportation, People” from the North American Association of Uniform Manufacturers and Distributors
(NAUMD), as well as “Best Design for Corporate Clothing” from the Professional Clothing Awards in London where Air Canada was the first North American company to win at these awards.
He has been featured in many top media publications including: L’Uomo Vogue Italia, Women’s Wear Daily, Forbes, GQ Brazil, Monocle, Elle, Fashion, SCHÖN!, Hello!, Huffington Post, Esquire China, and Flare…
“Bates’s story has strange echoes in the stories of Dean and Dan Caten, the Canadians behind D-Squared.” Derek McCormack, National Post
Celebrities he has dressed include: actors: Michael Shannon (The Shape of Water), Don Cheadle (The Avengers), John Boyega (Star Wars Episode VIII), and Wilson Cruz (Star Trek: Discovery), CBC’s Ron MacLean, Formula 1 drivers: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo), George Russell (Williams), athletes: MLB Star Jose Bautista of the New York Mets, NBA star DeMarre Carroll of the San Antonio Spurs, Canadian soccer star Tosaint Ricketts, Film Producers: Gary Michael Walters (Drive), and Andrea Iervolino (The Merchant of Venice), and musicians: Shawn Mendes, Howie-D of the Backstreet Boys, bands: Marianas Trench and Walk Off The Earth.
Website:christopherbates.com
Instagram:@christopher.bates.official
Facebook:@CBatesMenswear
Catherine Curtis has been creating day to evening looks for over 20 years. Her styling is combination of tradition, with her own pinch of edge and inspiration that compliments the female silhoutte.
Catherine shows no boundries of beauty, creating pieces that show the lengths of her imagination and more to be discovered.
An artist that twists and sculpts fabrics to enhances the body and her eye for amazing fabrics must be seen and felt. Her
boutique at 940 Bathurst street Toronto holds a melody of couture, one of a kind, and ready to wear pieces that are waiting for you.
(Toronto) Farley Chatto is a Toronto-based designer with a global clientele who is renowned for his eponymous line of haute couture menswear launched in 1988. Trained in bespoke Italian menswear tailoring, Chatto apprenticed at Lesage in Paris, in the world of Haute Couture- as the “premier ” for the couture houses- YSL, Dior, Chanel and LaCroix to name a few. Celebrating 30+ years in the fashion and design industry, he has dressed such notable celebrities as Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Helen Mirren, Daniel Craig, Mads Mikkelsen, Drake, Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Noth, Laurence Fishbourne, Pauletta Washington, Eve and George Clooney, just to name a few.
Chatto has also amassed an impressive list of corporate clients, including MAC Cosmetics, Veuve Clicquot, Louis Vuitton, Virgin, HP Canada, Barbie, and Target Canada. In addition to his corporate work and his label, Chatto has provided costumes for the Toronto cast of the hit Broadway musical The Producers and Hairspray, as well as for the cast of the television and movies, like: Hannibal, Suits, Reign, The Strain, Reds, Crimson Peak & XXX- The Return of Xander Cage & The Christmas Chronicles. Chatto is an instructor at Ryerson University and he is also the in-house designer at Four Seasons Fur Co. Ltd.
Website:farleychatto.com/
Twitter:@FarleyChatto
Hania Kuzbari’s life is the rich tapestry behind the creative process behind each of her
artisanal jewelry collections. A true global citizen, Hania has lived in both the Middle
East and North America, drawing inspirations from each distinctive region into her
creations. Living in these ancient and modern cultural hubs has fueled her artistic
character, lending a refined sensibility and detailed storytelling in each piece she
designs.
After earning her graduate degree in business, Hania pursued her interest in this craft,
taking Jewelry Studies and Gemology at George Brown College in Toronto. She further
immersed herself in jewelry design arts at Alchemia Contemporary Jewellery School in
Florence, Italy. Hania’s creative force as a fine jewelry designer stems from her love of
art and appreciation for beauty in everyday life.
At the heart of Hania Kuzbari Jewelry is sustainability. This is prioritized through
ethical sourcing, expert craftsmanship and a genuine passion for the art and process
of jewelry making. Hania is proud to bring her collections to life with sustainability
and socioeconomic factors top of mind. Her specialized team of handcrafters work
only with conflict-free diamond suppliers and fair-trade gold. This ensures every
person throughout the production process is respected and paid fairly for their labour.
Website:haniakuzbari.com
Instagram:@Haniakuzbarijewelry
Twitter:@Haniadesigns
Facebook:/Haniakuzbarijewelry #HaniaKuzbariJewelry
Hilary MacMillan is a contemporary, Canadian, cruelty-free womenswear brand. The self-titled brand was founded in 2013 with a focus on offering a breadth of styles at accessible price points. Hilary MacMillan apparel is for the adventurous and fashion aware woman who likes bold prints and inspired fabrics, which make fashion effortlessly conscientious. ,
In 2016, Hilary Macmillan made a commitment to focus on being a cruelty-free brand, no longer using leather, fur, exotic skins, or feathers in any of her garments. As of SS19 Hilary MacMillan has phased out all silks and wools to proudly become Canada’s number one choice for cruelty-free womenswear.
Hilary continues to be a trailblazer in the Canadian fashion scene and for SS’2020 Hilary MacMillan will be releasing a capsule collection of extended sizes (up to 4X and 22) and looks forward to becoming more size inclusive.
Hilary Macmillan had her designs worn, most notably, by Mme. Sophie Gregoire- Trudeau at the 2017 CAFA Awards. Other celeb followings include: Kim Cattrall, Elisha Cuthbert, Fefe Dobson, Cheryl Hickey, Liz Trinnear, Chloe Wilde, Tessa Virtue, Natasha Negovanlis and more!
Website:hilarymacmillan.com/
Instagram:@hilarymacmillan
Facebook:/hilarymacmillanapparel
Twitter:@hilarymacmillan
PR Contact:alex@hilarymacmillan.com
Kimberley Newport-Mimran is President and Design Director of Pink Tartan, the womenswear brand that she founded in 2002, and the Kim Newport Collection, a line of eveningwear she introduced in 2019. Newport-Mimran is known for her appreciation of understated luxury, modern sophistication and easy elegance. Her design studio is based in Toronto.
After graduating from a fashion merchandising and manufacturing management program Newport-Mimran began her career in the buying office at Hudson’s Bay. She then applied her expertise to the iconic Canadian label Club Monaco, where she developed a keen understanding of structure and tailoring. Upon her move to Caban, Newport-Mimran honed her knowledge of fabrics and luxury design. With this compilation of experience, Newport-Mimran went on to establish Pink Tartan.
Newport-Mimran has since evolved her global brand beyond sportswear, the signature that has earned Pink Tartan a loyal following. Bringing her expertise to new categories, Newport-Mimran has introduced all of the key pieces that make up a complete day-to-night wardrobe, including PT Essentials, her elevated take on casualwear. The arrival of the Kim Newport Collection marked Newport-Mimran’s highly anticipated return to the runway and her debut focus on eveningwear. The Kim Newport Collection is at once modern, glamorous and timeless, showcasing luxurious materials and made-in-Canada craftsmanship at its finest.
At the Pink Tartan flagship in Toronto’s Yorkville shopping district, Newport-Mimran has created a stylish space that effectively contextualizes her complete vision for an inspired lifestyle.
Kim is married to Joe Mimran, and together they split their time between Toronto and Palm Beach. The couple have a daughter Jacqueline, born in 2001, and share their homes with Max Mimran, the family’s beloved French bulldog.
Twitter:@kimnewport
Lesley Hampton was a ‘third culture kid’ and her early life was one of constant relocation. Formative years spent in Canada’s Arctic and Atlantic, Australia, England, Indonesia, and New Caledonia, added to her quest to establish a personal and cultural identity. Lesley defines herself through the amalgamation of her indigeneity with her Anishinaabe and Mohawk heritage, as well as her global perspective from her early nomadic upbringing.
Founded on the principles of inclusivity, identity, awareness, and heritage, the LESLEY HAMPTON brand’s inspiration is defined by the characteristics developed from being a Third Culture Kid and critiques their application in present day society in fashion, media, and pop culture. The brand draws inspiration from notations that embody inclusivity, and broader perceptions of beauty that leads to mental health awareness and body-positive advocacy.
Website:lesleyhampton.com
Instagram:@Lesley_Hampton
Twitter:@LesleyHamptonFacebook:
facebook.com/LesleyHamptonDesign
FOUNDERS AND SISTERS RIM & RITA ELIAS ARE THE TWO PASSIONATE CREATORS AND DESIGNERS BEHIND MAISON ELAMA’S PIECES.
LEAVING BEHIND THEIR CORPORATE JOBS, A CPA & A CHEMIST CHOSE TO CHASE THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL CALLING AND CREATIVE DREAMS TO DEVELOP A NEW AND FRESH APPROACH TO LUXURY OUTERWEAR.
IN 2014 ELAMA WAS ESTABLISHED IN MONTREAL, QUEBEC.
APPEARING ON DRAGON’S DEN CANADA & GAINING CLIENTS WORLDWIDE HAS ALLOWED MAISON ELAMA TO GROW RAPIDLY AND PERMIT THE SISTERS TO OWN THEIR MONTREAL ATELIER AS WELL AS TWO RETAIL LOCATION, IN ROCKLAND MALL IN MONTREAL AS WELL AS A SHOWROOM IN YORKVILLE, TORONTO.
WITH MATERIALS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY SOURCED FROM THE MOST ETHICAL ENVIRONMENTS, ELAMA OFFERS DISTINCT DESIGNS,
BLENDING MODERN ELEGANCE WITH AN IRRESISTIBLE VINTAGE FLARE.
FROM STREET CHIC TO EVENING GLAMOUR, FROM THE BOARD-ROOM TO THE AFTER-PARTY, YOUR ELAMA PIECE BECOMES PART OF YOUR OWN
PERSONAL AND ELEVATED FASHION STATEMENT.
AND, BECAUSE FUR IS FOREVER, ELAMA IS A PROUD PIONEER IN REDESIGNING EXISTING FUR GARMENTS. CASHMERE, LEATHER AND OTHER MATERIALS ARE INCORPORATED INTO YOUR NEW DESIGN TO CURATE YOUR OWN MADE-TO-MEASURE PIECE.
WITH THE BELIEF THAT HIGH-FASHION SHOULDN’T BE DISPOSABLE, ELAMA’S OUTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES ARE MEANT TO BE PART OF YOUR MOST PRECIOUS MOMENTS, CARVING A WAY INTO YOUR HERITAGE, TO BE PASSED ON FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
WITH ELAMA, YOUR STYLE LEAVES A LEGACY.
#EMPOWERWITHSTYLE
ABOUT THE COLLECTION
ELAMA IS PROUD TO SHOWCASE ITS COLLECTION FOR THE FIRST TIME AT TORONTO FASHION WEEK IN SEPTEMBER 2019.
E L A M A’ S FA L L – W I N T E R C O L L E C T I O N
F U S E S D I S T I N C T I V E E L E G A N C E W I T H
U R B A N T E N A C I T Y, A W E A R A B L E
H O M AG E T O T H E M O D E R N – DAY M U S E .
THE SEE NOW, BUY COLLECTION AVAILABLE WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER THE RUNWAY SHOW AT THE SHOWROOM AT 1240 BAY STREET, SUITE 604, YORKVILLE, TORONTO.
Twitter:#EMPOWERWITHSTYLE
NARCES is a Toronto-based womenswear line that specializes in special occasion, cocktail, eveningwear, prom and bridal dresses. Designer and Creative Director Nikki Wirthensohn Yassemi brings her international background to her aesthetic, having been born in Austria and growing up in Iran and the UK before moving to Canada where she now resides. Throughout her upbringing, Nikki was surrounded by design, art and fashion. Her mother worked with esteemed British tailor to the Royal Family, Victor Edelstein who is renowned for having created some of Princess Diana’s most iconic gowns. Inspired by the romantic glamour and elegance of mid-20th century, Nikki’s flirty approach to evening dresses is becoming popular in North America, Europe and the Middle East.
NARCES retails between $800 and $6,000 CDN and is sold in Canada as well as internationally in the USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia.
Website:narces.com
Instagram:@_narces
Twitter:@_NARCES
RVNG Couture
Designer + Founder Jordan Stewart
RVNG Couture is a luxury fashion house creating collections that empower women with clothing that delivers continuous craftsmanship, glamour and reverie. Each and every garment is the result of a rigorous artisanal process that creates the ultimate experience in elegance.
Website:rvng.ca
Instragram:@rvngcouture
Steven Lejambe is a Toronto based evening wear brand specializing in elegant silhouettes with unique and romantic details. After years of working under some of Toronto’s most celebrated bridal and evening wear designers, Steven started his own label to create one of a kind garments that are made for a woman who wants to feel modern and current but still show classic elements with detailed finishing touches.
Each piece is designed and hand crafted in Toronto and each piece has a story to tell, the goal is to create gowns that are a work of art on the body.
Website:stevenlejambe.com
Instagram:@stevenlejambe
The Feral is a brand that Started in 2016 from designer Zakariah Milana which evolved from the success of his former line, Sons of Ódin. The Feral expresses the spirit of the brand and the creative direction of the line – wild, non-conformist. It has drawn the attention of international celebrities and athletes. The Brand has been sold all around the world and has its own flagship store in Toronto. With a perspective gained from a lifetime of working with artisans and a passion for travel and exploration, recurring accents include rugged, rough-hewn materiality, muted tones and raw finishes.
The Feral seeks to create new and innovative designs that resist any particular category, genre or box. The Feral is someone who wants to dress in any style he chooses and is truly free to express himself and his individuality.
About Zakariah Milana
Zakariah Milana is a Toronto based designer with a global following (his work is sold in the U.S. Europe and Asia and is worn by many celebrities and athletes). He was born in Toronto and raised by his mother, an artist, in a downtown warehouse filled with oddities such as medical paraphernalia, taxidermy and army goods. Surrounded by other artists and craftsmen who allowed him to use their tools and materials, whether it was to make sculpture, blow glass, design fashion pieces or create artworks in many media. Zakariah was always creating and growing as an artist from a very young age, travelling extensively and exploring the world and being inspired by it. This autodidactic and creative mind continues today, digesting and churning out new ideas, mixing influences and styles, textures and materials, creating truly inventive clothing for men.
Instagram:@theferal_lab
TOMÉ
TOMÉ specializes exclusively in designing one-of-a-kind personalized couture garments. From traditional classic wear to futuristic cutting-edge designs for bridal wear, evening wear, and special occasions wear.
Each design is created in order to suit the requirements and the individual personal need. Using both traditional and contemporary color palettes, complimented by exquisite hand beading, crystals, pearls, ornate embroidery, vinyl and laser print organza.
A graduate from the Academy of Fashion Design School, TOMÉ’S couture line has successfully grown to become one of fashions highest talked about and popular label within women’s wear.
TOMÉ’S is known for his adventurous and creative designs. Focusing on both superb structure and fit for today’s women.
TOMÉ DRESS SALON
1982A Avenue Rd. ( Upper Level) Toronto, Ontario M5W 4A4
Website:tomedresssalon.com
Facebook:@tome.203
Franklin Benjamin Elman resides between Montréal and Europe, shuttling frequently to Milan, Paris and London. A native of Montréal, Canada, he is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. Shortly after graduation, he relocated to Europe where he acquired a strong formation in fashion and accessory design and founded a notable collection of luxury footwear under the eponymous label ‘Elman’. Over the past 18 years, Elman has worked as a design director and creative consultant for a series of design houses including Dior, Costume National, Jil Sander and Rick Owens.
His work has been featured in American Vogue, Vogue Italia, Paris Vogue, W, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, and Elle amoung others. Elman’s designs for Trigère have been worn by some of the worlds most stylishly iconic women, including Kate Moss, Winona Ryder, Sarah Jessica Parker and Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert.
Website:trigere.com
James Yurichuk is a former professional football player who moved back to Toronto from the West Coast of Canada.
As a lover of wildlife, he was searching for an animal-free and Canadian-made winter coat for his girlfriend, who was visiting from South America. After searching to no avail, he decided to make his girlfriend her first socially conscious Canadian parka, and Wuxly was born.
As for the outerwear performance, it is safe to assume the parka did its job as his Brazilian girlfriend decided to stay in the frozen jungle of Toronto and become his wife.
Website:wuxly.ca
Instagram:@wuxlymovement
Twitter:@WuxlyMovement
Facebook:@wuxlymovement
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