Canadian Designers (and their Collections) to Know

Can you name a Canadian designer? If so, do you recognize his or her work? (That’s Colette Harmon's wearable art shown at left). Do you know which cities in Canada host fashion weeks? For that matter, how many Americans can name Canada’s president? And do they realize Stephen Harper is not Canada’s president? He is prime minister. Americans may be more likely to name Canadian entertainment stars, such as directors David Cronenberg and James Cameron, actors Kiefer Sutherland, Michael J. Fox, and William Shatner, and top model Coco Rocha.

Rocha hosted the opening events at LG Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 in Toronto last month. (The other two major fashion weeks in Canada are in Montreal and Vancouver, B.C.). Rocha greeted the crowd at Toronto’s Heritage Court, noting: “Don’t tell New York, but I like this venue better.”

Follow this link to the LG Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 Web site, which provides links to the Web sites of most of the designers listed below. Canadian designers of note who presented collections at that October event included:

Attitude, Only at Sears: Wardrobe basics such as suits, blouses, pants and coats in modern, but classic designs and affordable prices.

Baby Steinberg: This label created the long gown embellished with green plastic flowers, which LG Fashion Week featured in its promotional materials. The eco-conscious label also showed a dress that looked like a whiskey barrel with shoulder straps, similar to what cowboys in Western movies wear when they’ve lost their clothes. “Imaginative” best describes this line.

Basch by Brandon R. Dwyer: His Web site describes this young designer’s line as “attainable luxury.”

Bustle: Founded in 2002 by Shawn Hewson, a designer judge on Project Runway Canada, and Ruth Promislow, this trendy line is also timeless.

Cherry Dewar: She’s young, curvy and “in” and designs swimsuits that double as bodysuits, including sexy ones in stretch suede. Contact her to order custom pieces.

Colette Harmon: This designer has a simple elegance that is exhibited in her one-of-a-kind art pieces that can be worn as necklaces or halters or displayed (as some owners do) on dress forms in their homes. I especially liked her bejeweled chain mail halters and bibs. As of this posting, her Web site was under construction.

Denis Gagnon: Maybe it’s this designer’s dark hair and black, thick, plastic-framed glasses, or maybe it’s his body-enhancing, form-fitting, feminine clothes? Gagnon’s got the look: for both himself and his clients.

Evan Biddell: This Project Runway Canada Season 1 designer (and winner) staged his actual Spring/Summer 2011 runway show in a mannequin manufacturing warehouse the week before Toronto's fashion week. His LG Fashion Week presentation featured video footage from that fashion show and models on-stage as opposed to walking the runway.

Jessica Jensen + Alexander Berardi: Handbag designer and Canadian Jensen teamed up with New York designer Berardi (who also showed his line at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011 in New York).

Joe Fresh Style: This label has a style of its own, but could be compared to The Gap or Banana Republic. It retails at Loblaw’s, Canada’s version of K-Mart or Target stores.

Klaxon Howl: Menswear that makes you howl with delight.

Lana Dugmag: The Toronto Sun reported: “Dugmag graduated from the School of Fashion Design at the Instituto Marangoni in Milan and said her new collection is inspired by the youth quake of Amsterdam’s Cycle Chic culture and combines both doll-like and architectural influences in cocktail dresses and miniskirts matched with corset tops.”

Line Knitwear: Neutrals, neutrals, neutrals.

Marthe Aime: This Parisian label features haute textile accessories such fabric neckpieces that dress up your basics.

Pink Tartan: Think Liz Claiborne, DVF and Tommy Hilfiger. Classic and timely.

Rachel Mara: This Canadian designer is now based in Portland, Oregon, and draws her inspiration from both her family and her travels. (Her mother Beverly Gorenstein founded Moule, a clothing line and boutiques). Mara’s collection was a favorite among photographers at Toronto’s Fashion Week. Her cardigans, blouses and wardrobe staples are anything but basic.

Romona Keveza: Now that she’s based in New York, Keveza may play down that she’s from Ontario. Her home-country aside, her bridal designs rival those of Vera Wang.

Sarah Stevenson: Her presentation featured models in feminine dresses sipping tea.

Thomas: The LG Fashion Week Web site noted: “Designers Michael and Drew Thomas take into account three important values when constructing a garment: the piece must be season-less: able to move fluidly between seasons.”

In addition, upscale department store Holt Renfrew presented the first fashion show of LG Fashion Week, which included designers/labels it carries, such as: Denis Gagnon, Jeremy Laing, Lida Baday, Line RUNWAY, Mikhael Kale, Pink Tartan, Smythe, Wayne Clark, and Wings + Horns. This fast-paced show was among my favorites, featuring the most trendy, hip, and wearable garments.