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Toronto Fashion Week and RE\SET™ to Reveal Spring/Summer 2019

Toronto Fashion Week has collaborated with RE\SET for the showcasing of Spring/Summer 2019. The anticipated shows will take place over three days from September 4th to September 6th in Yorkville Village. Amongst this season’s talented designers you can expect to see are ZOFF, Hayley Elsaesser, Victoria Hayes, and Hilary MacMillan. RE\SET was launched by THE COLLECTIONS in 2016 with a focus on contemporary emerging and established designers. The Spring/Summer 2019 collections mark RE\SET‘s fourth showing. We spoke with Mel Ashcroft, co-founder of THE COLLECTIONS, on their recent collaboration with Hudson’s Bay and what we can expect to see this season.

It’s been eight years since THE COLLECTIONS was founded, what have been some of the challenges your team has faced?

“For us, the journey has been remarkable. We’re lucky to have worked with some incredible artists and designers over the past eight years and watched some succeed internationally. We tend to look at challenges as opportunities to evoke change—a perfect example being to really try and focus on getting Canadian designers more visible throughout the country.”

Going into its second year, what can we expect to see from RE\SET™?

“RE\SET™ has been a growing platform since the beginning and we are proud to be working with Toronto Fashion Week to build a cohesive calendar for the industry here at home with a curated group of designers. We are also focused on making fashion accessible. We’re excited to announce the RE\SET™ Designer Showroom will now be a front facing retail location right on 87 Yorkville Ave for the duration of Toronto Fashion Week and Mikhael Kale’s show will be open to the public and held at the ROM.”

Who are the top designers to watch this season?

“That’s a hard question. Personally, I think every designer we work with has an incredible vision but there are a few new designers in our roster, which are ones to watch. Victoria Hayes and Daniel Gregory Natale are both showing with RE\SET™ at Toronto Fashion Week for the first time. I’m also excited that we will be producing a show at the ROM for Mikhael Kale and that Sid Neigum is returning. Returning to the week and crowd favorites are Mani Jassal, WRKDEPT, WIL Studios and Hilary MacMillian. Namesake is collaborating with 13 visual artists and presenting at Lumas Gallery, which is also very exciting. It’s hard to pick—they are all so strong and unique in their own way.”

Can you tell us a bit more about the collaboration with Hudson’s Bay and the designers that are a part of it?

“We really tried to bring forth a diverse and vast display of what Canadian fashion looks like now. Within this curated group, we have Mikhael Kale, Sid Neigum, Daniel Gregory Natale, Markoo, Atelier Guarin, Pedram Karimi, WRKDEPT, WIL Studios, Hilary MacMillan, S.P. Badu and accessory designers Biko and Cuchara. Each of these designers have provided global exclusives to Hudson’s Bay, so they are not available anywhere else in the world. The DISCOVER THIS: shop RE\SET™ pop up will be running for three months, starting on September 4th in select stores across the country, as well as online at thebay.com.”

What makes Toronto a special fashion hub?

“Toronto is a growing city, and the mecca of fashion and entertainment. There are a vast amount of designers who have created a unique supportive community, fostering exchange of creative energy and services. We also have a number of programs based in Toronto, which aim to build supportive teams and educational platforms for emerging designers. Toronto has a lot of momentum right now—we are producing some of the world’s best talent in entertainment and fashion; it’s finally cool to be Canadian!”

What are some the triumphs you’re most proud of? 

“This Hudson’s Bay collaboration has to be one of our biggest achievements to date. Being able to bring 12 diverse Canadian designers to the forefront of one of the most iconic retailers in our country is an incredible opportunity to be a part of. Opening doors and providing real tangible opportunities for these designers has been our vision since starting THE COLLECTIONS.”

What are you most excited about this season?

“Everything! Come and see RE\SET™ 004 at Toronto Fashion Week September 4th to 6th.”

View the gallery for a look at the Hudson’s Bay campaign, shot by Leeor Wild. 

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