Ivan Sayers and SMOC Present: A Masquerade Parade: From Venice to the Catwalk

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

On Sunday, October 20th, from 2-4 at Hycroft, we were treated to a gorgeous fashion show, in two parts and a dramatic fencing exhibition by women and men.  The biggest surprise for me was just how many people dressed up!  Here are a few of my favorite looks. There were costumes, hats, jewels and fabulous shoes at the latest SMOC event.

Co-ordinated outfits from Ivan's collection were mainly from the 18 and 1900's but he also featured a recent one, designed by a costume student who made hers from dark green garbage bags, surely a way to recycle and upcycle!  A Women's Fencing Costume from the 1890's is a very popular yellow and a red heart is displayed right over her heart.  En Garde!  The skirt was recycled.  Imagine sporting in a long skirt.

Here, Ivan rescues a Medieval "Lady of the Lake" in her Art Nouveau Roses cotton print, with a fancy belt for a very tiny waist and cascading curls to match.  This romantic two piece is from 1903-1906 and certainly wouldn't be out of place in any garden by a lake. (First image)

Rebecca models an 1893-94 gold and blue 'statement' reportedly worn by Mrs. Saks of Saks 5th Avenue and features both fringe and flounce.  Puffed sleeves, Catherine De Medici high collar and pointed V waist detail (the rich can afford to keep their figures) is definitely for a most formal occasion. Lots of material and different types were used in this one.  In those days, they didn't get paid to wear designer dresses, however, her fan is a very effective, early form of advertising for Singer Sewing Machines.  On one side, it features complimentary patterns and colors and on the back, the ad.

This picture outfit actually represents painting and everything to go with it.  From 1908, it has Kimono sleeves, (Oriental influence from more and more travel) dabs of paint as pattern, a palette hat, paintbrushes and is made of plain, unbleached cotton.

At the end of WW1, the emphasis was on abundance.  Travel is extensive and both Oriental and Egyptian influences are evident.  1922-23 King Tut's tomb was opened and women wore 'headdresses that copied the exotic and extravagant.  The dresses lose the bustles and boned corsets and the figure disappears.

A lot can happen in two hours so to find out more and have lots of opportunities to show off your finery, go to SMOC and find your own suprises.  Ivan's next SMOC event is at Fluevog's shoes, on Granville, November 29th at 7.  See the old and the new - extraordinaire looks from the past and present.  See you there.

Diane Park and Sharon Capadouca

Diane wore all black because the Venetians wore only black and white
for Carnivale.  Her vest is by Elie Tahari and features a high, ruff
collar.  Kurdish riding pants are embroidered around the pockets.
Split toed boots are from Royal Elastic Company, L.A. and remind her
of Cirque du Soleil.

Sharon Capadouca is wearing a stunning blue St. John "Santana Knit"
with machine embroidered ;eacock feathers across the shoulders and
back.

The Shows - Toronto - Bellavance!

On October 9th, it was back to the ever popular Andrew Richard Designs venue in downtown Toronto for the bi-annual "The Shows" produced by Brill Communications and founded by Paola Fullerton. Always fantastic designers, great crowds and a well organized and timely runway event! The Shows has always been a great preview to World Mastercard Fashion Week, displaying Canadian and international designers that we would not normally have the opportunity to see!

The first show of the evening was Bellevance by Nolan Bellevance and Ava Hama. The collection consisted of sophisticated silhouettes, great for office and evening. The complicated constructed of the pieces was evident as the designs walked the runway and even more so when we were able to take a look at the clothes in detail with Dr. Alexandra Palmer (Fashion Historian). Just like Project Runway! To give you an idea of the complexity of these designs, one of the dresses consisted of 142 different patterns!

About Nolan Bellevance and Ava Hama

Nolan Bellevance and Ava Hama met on their first day of orientation at Parsons the New School for Design and ended up taking the same core design classes together over the next three years. Ava was raised in Manhattan while Nolan grew up in Western Canada. Both interned at Gap thanks to the long standing internship competition with Parsons.

Their first collection in September 2012 was selected as the winner of the MADE for Peroni Young Designer Award. They debuted their Fall/Winter 2013 collection at Milk Studios in February 2013, and the collection was purchased by Open Ceremony. Their goal is "to make clothing that is approachable and aspirational, with a foundation in the ongoing dialogue of American Sportswear". (The Shows)

Photos by Michael Ho via Brill Comm

MY SISTER'S CLOSET AT ECO FASHION WEEK, VANCOUVER

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

This is the second ECO Fashion Week runway show for My Sister's Closet's fearlessly, statement making staff, volunteers, family and friends.  This is a special community of those dedicated to stopping violence against women, providing resources and support and empowering them.  The store is, in my opinion, one of the most beautifully decorated, inviting and treasure-filled, cozy ' new to you' stores downtown.  Located at 1092 Seymour Street, you can't miss it for its open doors and bargain priced clothes racks outside.  You will never leave without a cheerful conversation and a celebration (everyone there loves fashion) of your finds.

At My Sister's Closet, on the rack and ready to roll to 

ECO Fashion Week at Robson Square, Vancouver

Love how this store not only provides funds to support programs for battered women and their families but also how it keeps the message foremost in many other ways, including a superb runway show that reaches so many people in the greater community.  Their messages are strongly and widely reflected in their social media, on their t-shirts, with their colored ribbons, and especially on their Women's Resource Card, placed on the seats at the show and always available in the store.

The runway extravaganza is always a great tribute to staff and volunteers, at My Sister's Closet!  They work for weeks, (all year round, in fact) not only running programs and the store, but in planning every detail to make the show a true highlight of ECO Fashion Week.  When I see it, I always wonder why I didn't spot and find these terrific outfits.  Of course, the 'new to you' clothes are exquisitely enhanced by My Sister's Closet's expert designers and artisans and eagle eyed fashionistas.  Everyone is invited to share expertise and ideas.  If you don't think you have any, you'll soon be convinced or trained otherwise.  Confidence, skills, empowerment, community.  That's what it's all about.

Thanks for the invite and the endless opportunities.  Kudos, My Sister's Closet!

Fabulous sistas packed and marching the couture collection to its
'fearless' and dramatic showcase

A hint of what's to come

Cameras and runway await

Model, Kristina G. (Charles Stewart Agency) Poised, at the Hair
and Make-up Tent

Hat and Heels

Reds!

Stepping into Fall

Earrings and Heels

Cool and Comfortable

Lady in White

Bodice and Buckles

Elegant Bride, expertly restyled dress and stunning silver
jewelry by Melanie Cookson

Filippa K. - 20th Anniversary Event at KLAUS

A short time ago I attended the 20th anniversary of the label Filippa K at KLAUS gallery on King Street. I have to admit I had never heard of the brand before, but fell in love with the simplistic chic lines of the clothes and the meticulous presentation in the showroom, right down to the last detail. Filippa's clothes make me want to clean, throw out half my wardrobe and travel immediately. Read a bit about her below, see photos from the event and some of my favorite pieces from her Fall 2013 collection. 

About Filippa K.

Filippa Knutsson and Patrik Kihliborg founded Filippa K. in 1993 with designer Karin Segerblom shortly after. In its first year, the team of three ran the company from home. They then launched Filippa K. in Norway and Denmark in 1994, with their famous stretch jeans becoming huge success. In 1995, they launched their first men's wear collection and in 1997, opened their first store in Stockholm. Over the next few years they opened more stores in Sweden and abroad. The brand has continued to expand their offerings and have kept simplicity and quality as their brand philisophy.

Philippa Knutsson 

Photo by Per Ranung via Filippa K

Elegant, simplistic, chic

Loved this display and suit

Filippa K. Brand Manager Simona Taroni

It's all in the details

Learning more about Philippa K.

DJs ready!

Filippa K - FW'13 Lookbook Images

A variety of looks are presented here: chic business wear, classic evening wear, jeans, jackets and casual wear. So much inspiration. These looks inspire me to invest in fewer pieces that are of higher quality this season. Hope you enjoy. Do you have a favorite?

Images via Filippa K.