Who’s Oppio? And what’s Pavoni? They’re both new-to-us names on the Toronto Fashion Week calendar, which features a larger group of freshman labels than usual.
So everyone catching the catwalk action doesn’t have to enter the runway room completely stumped, we’ve compiled some background on Toronto’s undiscovered collections.
Cara Cheung
We actually crossed paths with Cara Cheung a year ago when the Ryerson grad debuted her collection offsite (as all new labels should). The Show + Tell Gallery show impressed with its lineup of angular mini dresses with body conscious cutouts.
Eva Chen
Chen uses the word “couture” in the name of her company but since she’s based in Vancouver and not Paris, we’re guessing France’s fashion governing body hasn’t given her its seal of approval. Scrolling through past collections on her website, you’ll find lots of feathers, frills and fascinators.
Oppio
The backgrounder for Toronto’s Oppio reveals that the company isn’t new at all and has been putting out collections for the past 20 years. Fall 2011’s “A Countryside Story” line included lots of tailored coats, cocktail dresses and knit arm warmers.
Pavoni
New eveningwear outfit Pavoni’s bridal lineup looks sharp and tasteful online. With their tiers of tulle and crystal beaded bodices, designers Gianni Falcone, Mike Deredarian and Garo Hazour seem poised to earn kudos from wedding dress watchers, unless the soundtrack for their show is a 20 minute loop of Unchained Melody.
TBA
As of this morning, there are still six To Be Announced slots left on the fashion week calendar. With 13 days to go before the shows in David Pecaut Square kick off, there’s still time for another half dozen unknowns to claim their spots on the Toronto catwalk.
