By : Editor

On Saturday evening, at the Elle Canada sponsored Gala event, five brand new Canadian fashion design finalists presented their collections for the Toronto Fashion Incubator New Label Fashion Design competition. Effervescent Anne Marie Mediwake, anchor of CBC News Now, introduced the participating designers and judges.

Toronto Fashion Incubator is a non-profit organization that helps budding fashion designers develop their creative and business capacities. The innovative concept was the world’s first fashion incubator and in the last 23 years has fostered Canada’s most celebrated fashion designers including: Joeffer Caoc, David Dixon, Todd Lynn and Arthur Medonca.

At the ELLE Canada Gala, the five talented designers and competition finalists were: Anastasia Lomonova, Birds of North America (Hayley Gibson), House Of Groves (Jennifer Waters), Diepo (Justine Diener/Kristin Poon) and Paris Li. The fashion industry judges including fashion designer David Dixon and Noreen Flanagan of ELLE Canada,Derick Chetty of the Toronto Star,  Adriana Gut of Mattel Canada, Jason Morikawa of Holt Renfrew, and celebrity fashion stylist Peter Papapetrou. were judging live at the show and chose Anastasia Lomonova as the winner. She won a grand prize package of over $35,000.00

Here is a recap of the highlights of the fashion collections on the runway:

Anastasia’s designs were comprised of delicate, intricately pleated and draped mini dresses over mesh bodysuits and leggings. There was something of  ”kiss of the spiderwoman” about the collection of gauze chiffon tunic dresses. The all black collection also included sequin and lace embellishments.

I loved Jennifer Waters’ House Of Groves fashion collection. Particular favorites were the Victorian look bolero and wool tail jackets with flared skirts. The “lady of the manor” feel to those pieces was further accentuated by top hats as accessories and riding crops.

Diepo (Justine Diener/Kristin Poon), aptly named their fashion collection ‘inside/outside’. Difficult to distinguish at first if this was a lingerie or outerwear collection, the mostly sheer garments which looked like underwear or sexy shapewear were shown with thigh high pantyhose and garters.

Birds of North America (Hayley Gibson), showed a muted colour spectrum in a collection of  slim dresses with cap sleeves and gathered skirts. We really liked the leggings of rouched chiffon worn with the dresses. As well, the “little black dress” in a special Barbie presentation was a masterpiece of construction and proportion.

Paris Li, was another new Canadian fashion designer whose collection I enjoyed. Right on fashion cue with the use of fur or faux fur, sharp shoulders and shoulder detail, sharp jackets, slim skirts and vests. The charcoal mink short sleeved dress was outstanding. As well, kudos to Aldo for gorgeous embellished leather booties worn with the collection.

Toronto Fashion Incubator fashion competition participants (from the top left to right): Anastasia Lomonova, House of Groves, Birds of North America, Diepo, Paris Li, Paris li, closeup of Aldo booties, Birds of North America ‘Barbie’ little black dress, close up of chiffon leggings.