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The top fashion hits and misses of 2015

Toronto label breaks Kickstarter records

Local lingerie startup Knix Wear broke crowdfunding records when its eight-way bra design raised more than $1 million on Kickstarter. The already successful Kickstarter campaign got a huge boost when – of all people – George Takei posted about it on his Facebook page, sparking a discussion about whether the bra could properly support larger cup sizes. 

Ontario plans a new cultural strategy

The local fashion industry is in dire straits, and we’ve watched label after label disappear over the years. A huge part of the challenge is that – unlike the music, book and magazine publishing, visual arts, theatre and digital-media industries – fashion isn’t considered a cultural industry by the Ontario or Canadian governments. 

But all hope isn’t lost. Ontario Culture Minister Michael Coteau has announced plans to review the province’s cultural strategy and solicited public feedback. The fashion industry is practically screaming for support, with several petitions circulating to secure funding. 

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Toronto designer wins the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund is one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world. Not only do winners receive a whopping $300,000 USD to invest in their labels and mentorship with industry pros, they get the serious industry cred and PR boost that comes with being associated with the capital-V fashion bible.

This year’s competition saw three labels take the title, and one of them has a Toronto connection. Brother Vellies, known for its African desert-boot-inspired footwear, is designed by Toronto-born, NYC-based Aurora James. In true Canadian spirit, her line is manufactured ethically by artisans in South Africa.

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Hayley Elsaesser opens up shop

We love seeing young designers succeed, and it looks like emerging talent Hayley Elsaesser is rocking it. Known for her loud quirky prints, neon colours and use of diverse models on the Toronto Fashion Week runway, the designer opened two Toronto stand-alone stores this year (695 Queen West and Bayview Village). You go, girl!

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Lady Gaga develops a thing for Canadians

It seems Lady Gaga took a liking to Canadian fashion this year. First, the singer and American Horror Story star stepped out in a hip suede suit by local label Beaufille, then followed up with a sexy cutout dress by young talent Matthew Gallagher

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White girls imitate Winnie Harlow’s skin condition

Winnie Harlow is an in-demand Canadian model who has vitiligo- a condition that causes skin-colour loss in blotches. This year some of her fans began to imitate her unique skin pigmentation on Instagram using makeup many of the women were white. Despite the obvious insensitivity involved in applying what’s essentially blackface and mimicking a medical condition, Harlow chose to take the trend as a compliment and encouraged others to see it that way, too. 

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Terry Richardson mounts a comeback

After a flurry of graphic accusations of inappropriate behaviour and sexual assault were published early last year, it seemed photographer Terry Richardson‘s career might be threatened. 

But Richardson was not only a guest at Jennifer Aniston’s secret wedding he was also the only one allowed to take photos or bring a phone. In February, Harper’s Bazaar hired him to shoot a cover, and that was followed by a gig with Paper in March and Rolling Stone’s Kim Kardashian cover in July. Miley Cyrus let Richardson photograph her armpit fuzz. If fashion wants to be taken seriously as an industry and art form that not only depends on but supports women, people like Richardson need to go and never return.

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Karl Lagerfeld lands in Toronto

Normally refined fashion editors, socialites and an unidentified number of people with lots of money who buy condos just about lost it in April when Karl Lagerfeld came to Canada for the first time to toast the launch of a collaboration between Art Shoppe Lofts and Lobbies by Karl Lagerfeld. One lucky blogger even managed to get her Chanel clutch signed by the Kaiser.

FAT (Fashion Art Toronto) Arts & Fashion Week turns 10

The event formerly known as Alternative Fashion Week celebrated its 10th anniversary this spring. No small feat for an indie-fashion-focused event. FAT has presented 440 collections, debuted 227 first-time designers and entertained more than 40,000 audience members in the last decade. 

While FAT’s quirky, creepy and provocative runway shows are by far the main event, FAT receives government funds only for the small “art” (as defined by the province) portion of the week-long showcase. 

sabrinam@nowtoronto.com | @sabrinamaddeaux

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