Human Nature by Kallvis Gents

Kallvis Gents knows a well-fitted shirt will save a man’s life, and on the last day of |FAT|, he showed a wonderful collection on the runway. People may wonder how a shirt could turn into different looks for a runway show, and Gents proves the audience that this was possible. From sleeveless to long sleeves, there were different versions of the shirt, and he also managed to produce a few interesting outerwear pieces. It was a wonderful show and Gents’ shirts are now available on Ukamaku.

View the entire runway collection, here.

*photos courtesy of FAT (Arts & Fashion Week)

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Gardé Del Avante

Gardé Del Avante is always known for her cutting edge accessories, and for this F/W season, Naanafya Adu, created some amazing African tribal inspired jewellery pieces. Adu used oversized elements to make some interesting statement pieces. If you are a fan of gold leaves, studs and chainmails, you will definitely have the final wearable piece on top of your wish list. What a fantastic collection!

View the entire runway collection, here.

*Photos courtesy of Steve Alkok

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Worth. by David C Wigley

This was the first collection for David Wigley, after he decided to focus just on menswear, and the result was pleasant. There were 13 looks in this F/W collection, and some of the highlight pieces included the digital print blazer, and black oversized cape with studded shoulders. This collection also consisted of some amazing knitwear, which was a collaboration work between David and Dylan Uscher. We look forward to see some of the pieces show up on Ukamaku in the coming F/W season.

View the entire runway collection, here.

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*All photos courtesy of FAT (Arts & Fashion Week)

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Rachel Sin

Fur and lace were two new elements introduced in Rachel Sin’s F/W collection, and they made the collection very sexy. The pieces continued to be very structured with a flare of edginess. Everything was highly wearable, so keep an eye on Ukamaku for the arrival of Sin’s F/W collection.

View the entire runway collection, here.

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DeMOYO

Pai DeMoyo presented a very solid F/W collection. One of the highlights was the debut of knitwear, and they were very feminine and wearable. Another big surprise was seeing ROXX’s “Khione Collection” jewellery pieces on the models. These two brands definitely make a perfect match for each other in the up coming season.

View the entire runway collection, here.

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Woudenberg

Emily Woudenberg, the winner of 2012 Passion For Fashion Award, presented a funky and fun F/W collection, which consisted of retro RYB colour print pieces and some amazing beetle jewellery collection. The crowd was raving for the jewellery pieces, so keep an eye on Ukamaku and see when they will be available.

View the entire runway collection, here.
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Inna

The mother-son duo presented a mix of S/S and F/W pieces on the runway. While the S/S collection had a fun and futuristic vibe, the F/W one was darker and elegant. The orange coat was one of the strongest pieces in this runway show.

View the entire runway collection, here.

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*All photos courtesy of FAT (Arts & Fashion Week)

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We've got a whole batch of new S/S 2012 collections, which have been released and now available online! It's the perfect time to re-arrange your closet for the season, as Caitlin Power, DIA Collections, and Rachel Sin, hope to provide you with designs to brighten your look.

We have four limited and beautiful looks from the Caitlin Power collection. We love the colour details and clean silhouettes in each piece. Power manages to always be at the fore-front of fashion, with her trendsetting display.

Get the looks, here.

Orange Detailed Blouse (Caitlin Power)

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Sleepwear has never been this beautiful, with the new DIA Collections for S/S 2012. Coral prints and bright colours, gives a perfect look for spring. You may not even forego changing out of these pieces, as they look gorgeous enough for wearing outside.

Get your sleepwear pieces, here.

Coral Print Tunic (DIA Collections)

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Dresses, and more dresses for the latest Rachel Sin S/S 2012 collection. Each look has its own unique design, staying true to Sin's signature styles (e.g. caged back). Yet, there is also something new, such as the Betsy Trench Dress, which has garnered a lot of attention for its twist on the classic trench.

The collection is now available, here.

Betsy Trench Dress (Rachel Sin)

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We're down to our final designer feature for Arts & Fashion Week (April 24-28), and then we finally kick-off the start of the show! Like Gardé Del Avante (read our previous feature, here), Rachel Sin is coming into FAT, for her second consecutive year. What are her thoughts for the upcoming show?

Rachel Sin

Runway: April 25th (CITYscapes)

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Ukamaku: Last year you collaborated with Garde Del Avante, and this year you will be collaborating with Demu Label. Without giving away too much, what can we expect for this year’s show?

Rachel Sin: We’re excited to be collaborating with Ottawa based, Demu Label. The Fall Winter 2012 Collection is a softer, more romantic collection. It features sensual fabrics that you want to touch. We wanted to keep it edgy, because we think it’s fun to contrast the feminine with an edge. Collaborating with Demu Label brought the perfect amount of downtown cool and a dose of rocker glam.

U: Aside from the new collection, how will this show differ from last year’s in terms of preparing and putting on a show?

RS: With each runway show, we work hard to produce a bigger and better show. This year we are excited to be opening Day 2 with singer, Cory Lee, and her performance of her new single "Fashion Show".

Rachel Sin will also be hosting the Official FAT Day 2 After Party at BarNeon, sponsored by Ukamaku.

Where: Bar Neon, 1226 Bloor St. West. Toronto, ON. 9pm-1am.

Signature Cocktails & Savoury Treats served 11-11:30pm.

For After Party, please RSVP to rsvp@bibcommunications.com

U: This year’s theme is fashionSCAPES, which mirrors the notion of landscapes, with four distinct sub-groups (land, city, body, and future). How does your collection reflect CITY?

RS: The Rachel Sin woman is the Toronto city girl. The independent working woman is what inspires me, because this is who I am and what I love to see in other women. I love seeing strong women who take pride in what they wear and use their wardrobe as an extension of their confidence, originality and personal style. The life of a Toronto working girl is rush-rush-rush / go-go-go, from the office to the red carpet and right into the after party. The runway presentation will show the independent working girl transition effortlessly from day to night. There is no downtime and no stopping the downtown working girl. She is the independent, want to do-it-all woman whose wardrobe is an extension of her originality and personal style. In her hectic lifestyle, she never has to try too hard or look overdone, somehow she always shows up wearing the appropriate outfit.

U: What is the inspiration behind the collection?

RS: Reminiscent of the fashions from a Pedro Almodovar film creation, the FW 2012 is darkly romantic, defining today’s modern style – an appealing contradiction of strength and vulnerability. The Almodovar protagonist, a.k.a Penelope Cruz, inspired a mood board with rich materials, including textured lace, faux-fur and shimmering sequins.

Imagine the Almodovar heroine, you can’t help but notice as she walks by, the simple form-fitting dress is as visually stunning as her beauty. She is well put together, but doesn’t have to try hard to make you look. Known to create a strong presence of female characters in his movies, Almodovar consistently creates female characters who can do it all. They can be plain or spectacularly glamorous. They can be needy and possessive, or fiercely self-sufficient.

U: When will the collection be available?

RS: September 2012


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Tickets and passes can be purchased online at http://fashionarttoronto.ca/

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We're in the final strides to the start of Arts and Fashion Week (April 24-28). We can't believe it's already happening next week! Jewellery designer, Gardé Del Avante, showcases for the second year in a row, and it'll be a solo presentation this time around. We get a glimpse at what to expect for her show at FAT. Read our previous feature with INNA, here.

Gardé Del Avante

Runway: April 27th (FUTUREscapes)

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Ukamaku: How does FAT differ from any other fashion shows you’ve shown at (e.g. Boston Fashion Week)?

Gardé Del Avante: Well, for starters, FAT marks the very first fashion show ever, whereby Gardé Del Avante will be showcased as a solo act in Toronto. Besides my collaboration with Rachel Sin last year, my participation this year will mark as my first time ever, debuting my artwork in Toronto as a solo act on a magnitude of this level. Furthermore, what I love about FAT and believes separates it from most fashion shows, is that it allows designers such as myself to be fearless. Going into FAT, it’s kind of expected that the designs you will be seeing on the runway, for the most part, will have a “non-traditional” or avant garde approach to its design aesthetic. FAT to me, embodies similar belief systems that are important to me, and most importantly, to my brand…that is, “dare to be different”.

U: We saw you collaborate with Rachel Sin on the runway last year, how was that?

GDA: It was such a great opportunity and honour working alongside Rachel Sin, who is such a great designer/talent.

U: Without giving away too much, what can we expect to see at FAT?

GDA: This year’s Haute Couture Collection entitled, KSI, will be entirely new, which will be making its official debut at FAT. This collection is very promising, as it shows a lot of growth on my end as an up and coming designer.

U: This year’s theme is fashionSCAPES, which mirrors the notion of landscapes, with four distinct sub-groups (land, city, body, and future). How does your collection reflect FUTURE?

GDA: Well, to begin – anyone who is familiar with my brand/aesthetic, knows that Gardé Del Avante’s ultimate goal is to always go against the grain and create thought-provoking creations, which inevitably challenge the wearer to reconsider what is traditionally considered, the “norm”. Having said that, when one strives to be different, it inevitably propels this idea of forward thinking. The KSI collection specifically takes elements of traditional ways of assembling African inspired jewelry, but fuses it with new applications and materials, which transcends from a very unique point of view. Our abstract, left winged, dare to be different approach, is what keeps us ahead.

U: How will this year’s show differ from last year’s in terms of preparing and putting on a show?

GDA: This time around, I have full creative control, which is so important when trying to create and build a brand, as well as a name for yourself. Opposed to last year, now every choice/decision I make, falls on me. There is no deliberation, just me.

U: What is the inspiration behind the collection?

GDA: Ghana, as KSI, short for Kumasi (a city in Ghana, Africa) pays homage to my Ghanaian roots – but from a futuristic point of view. Being raised in a very traditional Ghanaian household, I wanted to merge both worlds that have been such a major influence on this new collection; tradition and evolution.

U: When will the collection be available?

GDA: The 2012 Signature collection entitled, Ashanti, is the ready to wear collection, which will be available for purchase in May.

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Tickets and passes can be purchased online at http://fashionarttoronto.ca/

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