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The Importance of Toronto Fashion Week for Three Canadian Designers

Following the Toronto Fashion Week F/W 2018 runway shows and RE\SET™ 003 Designer Showroom presentations that took place at Yorkville Village earlier this week, we spoke to three local designers who took the spotlight about what Fashion Week means to them and the importance of supporting Canadian design.

Andrew Coimbra x Uncuffed Fall 2018


Why was it important for you to present your collection at RE\SET™ 003 during Toronto Fashion Week?

“RE\SET™ 003 + TFW have been able to establish a very specific perspective of fashion design, one that I admire and feel aligned with. From my experience working with international fashion weeks, this partnership feels the most representative of an international identity, and that is important in the efforts of engaging with our international peers and proving that we have just as much of a voice.” 

How would you describe your Fall 2018 collection?

“An exploration of power.” 

Why do you think it’s important to support Canadian designers?

“Canada has a lot of global influence in a plethora of outlets and categories; we supply a great number of talents in the music and Hollywood industries, and as those platforms continue to rise, it’s important to engage with an industry (like fashion) with great potential. Not only can it match the quality of the other creative industries currently bringing a spotlight to Canada, it can bring in a considerable value to the national economy, and be a strong resource for community growth. Canada has an aesthetic identity — we just need to engage with it and help it grow.”

Tinashe Musara from WRKDEPT


Why was it important for you to present your collection at RE\SET™ 003 during Toronto Fashion Week? 

“It was important for us to show at RE\SET™ 003 because we feel Toronto has been going through a transition and we’ve seen the fashion scene evolve. We were not only curious but intrigued by how it would turn out.”

How would you describe your latest collection?

“Very light! We are in a condensed atmosphere surrounding sexual harassment, fashion included. We tried to bring life to the collection with color and a lot of enthusiasm.”

Why do you think it’s important to support Canadian designers?

“We need to support the talent that comes from Canada or we will lose it! Simply put.”

Hayley Elsaesser


Why was it important for you to present your collection at Toronto Fashion Week?

“Toronto is my home. After studying design and starting my brand in Australia, I returned home to Toronto and this is where I have matured as a designer. TFW is where I carved out my path as a designer and where I first began pushing my message of representative runways and inclusiveness.”

How would you describe your latest collection?

“In terms of the inspiration, ‘Cosmic Dread’ is a commentary on the evolution of human consciousness in the face of technological advancement and interstellar space travel. It’s my take on what an early science fiction writer would think if they were dropped into today’s fast-paced society without context. We can create robots, and make amazing technological advancements, but at the end of the day we are still limited by the human psyche.

 In terms of the designs themselves, I’ve taken utilitarian elements and futuristic construction and I’ve paired that with a combination of my colourful prints and what would have been space-age fabrics during the early days of science fiction. I’ve toed the line between ready-to-wear fashion and streetwear, and I’ve put my own unique spin on it. We’ve got metallic, faux fur and faux leather, and of course bright colours and my custom prints.”

Why do you think it’s important to support Canadian designers?

“Supporting the arts and culture is fundamental to the creation of a Canadian identity on a global scale. Aside from the obvious commercial support that designers need to contribute to our economy, we need to support the creation and continuation of our unique Canadian experience. Because of our proximity to the United States, Canadian design is often lost in the shuffle, or designers are forced to play it safe. We need to support our arts so that we can be seen internationally and recognized for our talents.”

 Click through the gallery above for a closer look at each designer’s F/W 2018 collection. 

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