FAT ARTS & FASHION WEEK to Saturday (April 27) at 213 Sterling. Day tickets $35 at the door, fashionarttoronto.ca.
FAT Arts & Fashion Week is under way, with a runway and installation lineup of emerging designers and alternative talents pushing everything from over-the-top clothing to heady messages. Five new names to watch discuss their collection inspirations and thoughts on indie style.
Henry Navarro
“Grey Cincinnati is a grey-toned, conceptual sportswear collection inspired by that city’s history, architecture and people and designed to envision a better ethnically integrated future. It’s a conceptual collection, so just like concept cars in an auto show, the clothes aren’t going to be commercially available. They exist to enable a discussion about racial issues.”
Typical Friday Night
“We describe our music and fashion as “popanese” or American pop culture mixed with Japanese street style. Being indie in music is very similar to being indie in fashion. An independent designer is constricted here by very few boundaries, and that’s magical. FAT is one of the greatest stages to display our vision.”
Tarah Kennedy
“I’m participating in FAT this year because I had to. I felt it was time I challenged myself by doing something I truly love. My collection, Oriflamme, combines the earthy textures of Ireland with the romantic silhouettes of Russia in the 1870s. It expresses the ability to be curious and sensual while being strong and grounded in oneself.”
Du Laree
dulareebyandyjones.com
“The Du Larée by Andy Jones fashion line is inspired by the past, present and future. Independent fashion lets clients get more one-on-one attention from the designer. This allows them to feel that they have a piece that is a uniquely their own.”
Nazbash/Hasti
“Our line focuses on abstract forms, minimal cuts and handmade, artistic textiles and accessories. The mainstream fashion industry usually has one main interpretation of what is happening around us, whereas independent design creates space for relating to the world with a different voice. Through our work, we are exploring various ways fashion can communicate our immigrant experience.”
