Canadian Fashion Shows: Toronto Fashion Week 2011 04

On with the show ; FASHION: North America’s second-biggest fashion week takes Toronto by storm

TOSKAN, HEATHER. Observer; Sarnia, Ont. [Sarnia, Ont]. 02 Apr 2011: C.8. 

Toronto runways lit up this week as LG Fashion Week (LGFW)hit town.

The biannual fashion fest unites many of the country’s top designers

with the fashion industry, to strut the stuff that future trends are

made of.

This year’s theme, The Business of Fashion, places the emphasis

squarely on fashion as a working industry.

According to recent Statistics Canada findings, the fashion

industry makes up approximately 1.2% of Canada’s gross domestic

product, representing more than just the flashy trappings worn or by

stars and celebutantes.

“This year, our tagline ‘Work It’ clearly indicates that designers

must take the opportunities and exposure presented to them at

fashion week to the next level and make a success of selling their

designs in the marketplace,” says FDCC president and the executive

director of fashion week, Robin Kay.

Holt renfrew opened the week with a show called Can’t Live Without

Canadian Fashion Monday.

“Part of our mission is to support our own (Canadian)designers and

showcase them on the same stage with the best of international

design,” says Barbara Atkin, vice-president, Fashion Design, Holt

renfrew.

Although the shows take place in Toronto, the event is on a

national scale, as buyers and media from across the country and

beyond gather to gander at the collections.

In addition to the multiple events that comprise LGFW, numerous

other fashion shows took place around Toronto in the days leading up

to the “official” week.

Well-known designers such as Greta Constantine, Philip Sparks, Mark

Fast, Alexander Berardi and others showed collections at their own

venues.

The Heart Truth Show, a charity event for the Heart and Stroke

foundation, showcased the special designer fashions on celebrity

models.

The designers themselves seem clearly focused on the goals of

growing their business.

“It’s really important for me to increase my visibility in Canada

and internationally,” says Montreal-based design stalwart Denis

Gagnon.

Only about 5% of all seats are available for consumers to buy, but

everyone can watch the collections streamed live at

lgfashionweek.ca.

heather.toskan@sunmedia.ca

CREDIT: HEATHER TOSKAN

Copyright Postmedia Network Inc. Apr 2, 2011