A glimpse into Toronto Fashion Week 2012

Model on the on the runway and audience at Melissa Nepton.
Last night I was given the opportunity to attend a showing of Melissa Nepton's Spring 2013 collection of womenswear at Toronto Fashion Week. Although I found myself in awe of the utter coolness of the event, both on and off the runway, I was of course most taken with Nepton's collection. In its innovation and beauty, Nepton impressively encapsulates the season of "Spring," while also embodying the perfect balance between elegance, comfort, and cool.

Photograph by: Nathan Denette, The Canadian Press

Montreal designer Melissa Nepton's collection is incredibly inspired by movement and fluidity which compliments her target audience, the urban career women, perfectly. The presence of horizontal stripes and ultra cool, sheer, breezy pant suits reflects upscale, seaside comfort. Nepton's ultra chic, ready to wear creations move down the runway with ease and comfort, while maintaining intense levels of luxury and sophistication.
Nepton kept accessorizing her collection to a minimum, and the collection was mostly black and white, with accenting beachy tones like blue and orange hues. This worked well, since the design of Nepton's pieces were incredibly loud and outspoken on their own.

This black mini and this white and black pant suit are both perfect go to outfits for any bold, edgy fashionista attending a black tie event. Both photographs from worldmastercardfashionweek.com/melissanepton.

For day wear, Nepton included to die for textured 
separates such as this dominating sweater paired with a sheer black skirt. This was one of my favorite looks of the night.
Photograph from lia-glassoffashion.blogspot.ca

Inside David Pecaut Square. From left to right: event guests, wall mural, and the DJ booth.

Another notable designer that debuted her Spring 2013 collection yesterday at Toronto Fashion Week is Paidemoyo Chideya of DeMOYO. Paidemoyo was born in Zimbabwe, raised in Sweden, London, and a bit of Paris- giving her credit to an understanding of various cultures and countries, two of which are recognized internationally as fashion capitals. Just this slight knowledge into Paidemoyo's upbringing allows one to assume that Paidemoyo is probably a super talented, creative individual... and one would definitely not be wrong in assuming this!

Here are some of DeMOYO's looks from Toronto Fashion Week yesterday: 

All photographs are from worldmastercardfashionweek.com/demoyo

Paidemoyo clearly has a nuanced undestanding and appreciation for vintage fashion, evident in the vintage elements she infused with innovative and contemporary design in her Spring 2013 collection. What I love most about Paidemoyo is that not only is she an incredibly talented designer, but she is also ecoconscious: "This designer not only has a vision, but genuinely works on infusing help into the infrastructures of suffering economies. Being ecoconscious, she has also created jobs where they are needed right in the heart of the problem, sourcing locally in Africa" (http://worldmastercardfashionweek.com/demoyo/).

- Chloe Stelmanis

The Junction Flea!

A few examples of Junction Fall Flea vendor and Toronto based
writer and artist Rhonda Riche's (graciousgoods.wordpress.com)
 vintage jewlery. Photo from graciousgoods.wordpress.com.

Toronto's west end was buzzing on Sunday, October 14th as Torontonians travelled from near and far to check out the last outdoor Junction Flea market of the year. The trip to the Junction triangle for the flea is well worth it. Boasting an array of vendors specializing in anything from hand made jewelry, antiques, vintage clothing, and print making to delicious tiny donuts, scrumptious dumplings, and even fortune telling!- you'd be hard pressed to find a disappointed flea market-goer amidst the bustling crowd.
The most recent Junction flea (aka the "Fall Flea") included gems and treasures both new and old- incredible local talent showing off hand made arts and crafts mixed with antique booths that make you feel as if you've just stepped into the past. Here are a few examples of the type of pieces some of the Junction Flea vendors have to offer:

Hand made textile's from Flea vendors John Booth and Arounna Khounnoraj of Bookhou (bookhouathome.blogspot.com). Photos from www.bookhou.com.

Local artist/Flea vendor Breanne Morrow of White Feather Designs creates hand crafted jewelry from scratch.
Photos from junctionflea.blogspot.com.

Some of my own treasure hunting at the flea market lead me to this glorious vintage leather shoulder bag (thanks, Emporium!) and this enamel on steel kettle from Le Creuset.

The Junction Flea Market is presented by SMASH and Russet&Empire and took place every second sunday of the month from June until last Sunday at Dundas West and Indian Grove. The Flea will continue indoors in future months at the Great Hall so stay tuned at junctionflea.blogspot.com for the next flea market date... it's not to be missed!

- Chloe Stelmanis 

Laura Chau - Sweater Designs

We had the pleasure to help out a local knitting designer by lending some of our clothing and accessories for her look-book shoot, and we have to say - kudos! The images and outfits are spectacular.  Her Nilgiri cardigan is inspiring me to start learning to knit again. Take a look at her hard work and fantastic creations here >> Afternoon Tea Vol #2

Autumn Photos

Kathryn Rebecca's very popular Wrap bracelet, comes in many colours

Kathryn Rebecca Citrine Acorn Ring and Studs

Kathryn Rebecca Citrine Acorn Necklace

photo by Sandrine Castellan for CCommeCa Fall line ...

and here is just a fun grouping of great goodness we've recently received :)

Call for Interns

Freedom Clothing Collective (a non profit cooperative that promotes Canadian artisans using environmentally sustainable practices) is looking for enthusiastic self starters to join the team.
Must be able to contribute at the store at least one day a week from the hours of 1-7 pm. (excluding Saturdays)

Responsibilities can include and are not limited to:
- research new vendors for the store
- write blog posts
- create online marketing ads
- organize photo shoots
- organize and run instore events
- network and collaborate with local stores, communities, organizations etc.
- look into craft shows and events the store could participate in or with
- research grant opportunities and write grant proposals
- some store admin work

Interns are encouraged to go beyond and come up with interesting and creative ideas to support Freedom’s mission.

Here is your opportunity to meet and interact with some local artists in Toronto and Canada. Freedom is supported by and collaborates with over 100 Canadian artisans.

The store is located at 939 Bloor Street west with business hours from noon until 7:30 PM.
If interested, please contact us at freedom.clothing@gmail.com
We will be looking forward to hearing from serious applicants.

Jelena and Karen