Fashion
Which Canadian designer best suits your style?
Find out which of the hottest Canuck fashion label fits in your wardrobe.
by : Kendra Thompson- Sep 14th, 2011
Canadian fashion has never been more prominent on the international style map. Take Kate Middleton, who famously wore Erdem and Smythe during her first official Royal Tour, or Kylie Minogue who favours racy Mark Fast knits when she performs on stage.
But when it comes to Canuck designers being household names in their Home and Native land, well, that’s a different story. Canadian fashion doesn’t mean parkas, plaid and snow boots; instead, our best homegrown talent bring an eclectic mix of design tastes to the Canadian fashion landscape. Read on for our guide to Canadian designers for this fall/winter season and find out how their collections fit into your wardrobe.
If your style is: SEXY & EDGY
Your dream Canadian designer: MARK FAST
Fast has said that his designs are not about trends, but about a lifestyle and the female form. This rings true season after season in his trademark body-hugging, skin-revealing sexy knitwear pieces. Because he always remains true to his vision and style, you can trust that if you are a fan of tight, short, and somewhat revealing clothing, Fast is and will always be the designer for you . But he sets himself apart by adding edgy features like massive shoulders, leather straps and pop-out ribbing. He also offers a few different jacket styles to keep you warm while you are wearing your micro-mini dress. Check out his upcoming capsule collection with Danier Leather.
If your style is: GLAM
Your dream Canadian designer: IZMA
The latest collection for IZMA (created by Adrian Mainella and Izzy Camilleri) was rooted in 70s party glam. The collection was largely comprised of evening wear in rich gold and jewel tones, all accented with sustainable Canadian fur (enough to keep you warm all winter long). Perfect for any lady who wants to live in the lap of luxury, or at least appear that way.
If your style is: PUNK
Your dream Canadian designer: DENIS GAGNON
Leather, zippers, pleated skirts, chunky boots – no it’s not a Ramones music video, it’s the latest collection from Montreal-based designer Denis Gagnon. As a designer, Gagnon tends to favour punk, gothic and rave culture inspired pieces. Take those features and add in a healthy dose of electric pink, chiffon and fur trimming and you have a totally rockin’ and wearable collection. Bright colours pop against the sleek and structured black pieces making for an eye-catching look.
If your style is: CLASSIC, WITH A TWIST
Your dream Canadian designer: JOEFFER CAOC
Nothing speaks to the winter season like the naughty and nice contradiction, which we saw in Joeffer Coac’s new collection. A mix of flattering, classic cuts and dominatrix-inspired accents come together to create a “sexy librarian” vibe. (Picture pencil skirts and turtlenecks with leather and corseted details, finished off with ultra high-heeled leather booties.) A lot of these pieces are great for daytime office attire, though we’d recommend leaving the leather corset at home.
If your style is: PREPPY CHIC
Your dream Canadian designer: PINK TARTAN
This season Kimberley Newport-Mimran of Pink Tartan has given us good reason to update our wardrobe with a splash of army green. We’ve seen military-inspired designs on international runways for the past couple seasons, and it seems that this trend isn’t going anywhere. Jumping on the bandwagon in her newest F/W collection, Bringing combat boots to new heights and pairing them with boxy military hats and refined wool skirts, she’s also reminded us why a perfectly tailored coat is one of the best pieces you can own.
If your style is: COZY & COMFY
Your dream Canadian designer: LINE KNITWEAR
Creatures of comfort rejoice – your favourite sweater has been given a fashionable upgrade in Line’s newest fall/winter collection. If you haven’t wrapped yourself in one of Line’s crocheted garments, it time for a formal introduction: their soft knits are chic and comfy, you won’t consider wearing anything else this winter. This season they’ve paired their classics with a plethora of other textures like fur, crushed velvet and chiffon, kicking your around-the-house cozies up a trendy notch. Whether you’re hitting the slopes, or more of a spa-day-at-the-chalet kind of girl, this collection will carry you through the bitter winter weather, not a cold in sight.
If your style is: LUXE AND LADY-LIKE
Your dream Canadian designer: ERDEM
After having his designs sported not once, but twice by one of the most talked about ladies of fashion this year – Kate Middleton – Erdem Moralioglu is quickly becoming an ambassador for Canadian fashion around the world. Taking his designs in a darker direction this fall, he cited his muse as a crazed artist’s wife. The designs do appear as if they have been ripped straight from the canvas, with exuberant winter florals splashed on to plush fabrics, with colours melting in to one another. It’s a collection that is sure to leave you feeling inspired; a true work of art.
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