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LG Fashion Week: Amanda Lew Kee – Friday, October 22nd, 2010

Amanda Lew Kee is a high-end street designer born and raised in Toronto, Canada. At a young age, Lew Kee discovered her love and passion for innovative design and further established her talent at Ryerson University, where she graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Design in Fashion. Amanda Lew Kee’s collection was premiered at the exclusive Mass Exodus 2010: In Bloom’s Press and Media showing at Ryerson University. Amanda Lew Kee’s thesis collection has been displayed at Holt Renfrew’s annual showcase of selected Ryerson graduates, as well as winning Flare Magazine’s student editorial competition featured in the August 2010 issue. As well, Amanda has worked on many projects aside from building her brand. She dressed Shenae Grimes of 90210 for the 2010 MMVA’s and won best style award from ETalk Canada, she wardrobed a music video for Fritz Helder that she was also the muse for, and has been featured in publications such as Flare, Elle, Nylon, WeAr Magazine, and the Toronto Star as one of 2010′s best dressed. At age 21, Amanda had already had her first private showing that attracted attention from Lisa Tant, Derek Blasberg, Glen Baxter, Adrian Mainella, and Derick Chetty to name a few. (About Amanda Lew Kee, courtesy of FDCC)

LG Fashion Week: BASCH – Thursday, October 21st, 2010

Just a day before Valentine’s in 1986, Brandon Robert Dwyer was born in Barrie, Ontario. Blessed with an exceptionally creative eye, he fostered this creativity by studying Fashion Design at Fanshawe College, where he was named Student Designer of the Year in all three years, being recognized by Flare’s Lisa Tant even before graduating. He began his career with retailer Garage Clothing, Group Dynamite in Montréal, QC, designing clothes for women. Shortly thereafter, Brandon was given the opportunity to appear on Canada’s Project Runway Season 2 – where he became notorious for pushing the envelope in designs and personality. With this great opportunity under his belt, Brandon launched his self-titled label Brandon R. Dwyer in April 2009. After only two collections, Brandon had received much acclaim for his designs in Flare & Elle magazines, on Juno-nominated singer Elise Estrada, in music videos, even reported on eTalk, FTV and ET Canada. Brandon wants every woman who wears his clothing to become the only woman in the room. Her elegance and sophistication are matched only by her Brandon R. Dwyer original. At only 24 years old, his passion for fashion is more than a career; it’s a lifestyle. To him, “Fashion is not just something you wear, it is what you are, what you represent. Break the mould. Be Different. Be you.” With the label BASCH by Brandon, you will see a unique vision of exclusivity. (About BASCH, courtesy of FDCC)

LG Fashion Week: Pink Tartan – Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

Kimberley Newport-Mimran is the Co-Founder, President and Head Designer of Pink Tartan. As a fashion veteran who started her career in retail at age fourteen, she has worked in many capacities including buying, product development, merchandising and most passionately, design. Born in 1968 in Niagara Falls, Canada, Kimberley was interested in fashion at a very young age. Inspired by her fashion-loving grandmother, she was always quick to adopt trends early-on. Her designs are elegant and sophisticated with a charm that gives them modern wearability. Pink Tartan was born in 2002, one year after the birth of her daughter Jacqueline, hence the “pink” in Pink Tartan. The brand is a reflection of Kimberley’s personal style: pretty, polished, and elegant. As a contemporary woman with impeccable style, she always wanted to design beautifullymade, practical clothes that can take women from day to dinner. When Kimberley designs for her customer she is ultimately designing for herself. “I take a simple approach- If it fits me and makes me feel good, then I know my customer will love it too.” Kimberley brought Pink Tartan to New York and opened its showroom in fall of 2004. Pink Tartan has become the label of choice for many top models and A-list celebrities including Kim Catrall, Jenny McCarthy, Vanessa Williams, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Kate Hudson, making it one of the most coveted lines in North America. Kimberley has also designed the uniforms for the boutique luxury airline Porter Airlines, and for hip hotels including the rooftop at 60 Thompson and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Tropicana bar. (About Pink Tartan, courtesy of FDCC)

LG Fashion Week: Orange by Angela Chen – Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Born in Taiwan and raised in Vancouver, Angela Chen graduated from the highly prestigious Parsons The New School for Design in New York as one of the most promising designers in her class. She has worked under some of the world’s top designers including Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera and Anna Sui. The transformative nature and alluring power of fashion inspire her to create collections that are minimal and structured, yet feminine and wearable. Previously working under the name “Orange”, Angela Chen transitions the brand name to “Or” for SS2011. Chen has dressed celebrity clientele including Chloë Sevigny, Katy Perry, Emily Haines, Alison Pill, Kirsten Dunst of Spider-Man, and Canadian supermodels Daria Werbowy, and Coco Rocha. She currently lives bi-coastally between New York and Vancouver. (About Or by Angela Chen, courtesy of FDCC)

LG Fashion Week: Lucian Matis – Thursday, April 1st, 2010

Romanian-born fashion designer Lucian Matis moved to Canada in 1999 starting his fashion studies at Ryerson University in 2000, where he soon showed great talent and maturity leading to his early graduation in 2003. While in University, Lucian won many different fashion awards including: The Fur Council of Canada Award (2002), Le Chateau’s Menswear Competition (2002), People’s Choice Award for Best Sketch in the Chinese Competition (2002), semi-finalist for the International Young Designer Competition (2002) and Alfred Sung Award for great design talent (2003). Lucian’s first professional collection was presented at L’Oreal Fashion Week in March 2007 featuring an eclectic vision for FALL/WINTER 07. The collection was received with great success. Accolades and praise followed quickly including a special guest appearance on the highly rated, final episode of Canada’s Next Top Model wherein his entire collection was worn down the runway in a final competition between the two finalists. As a result of this much-deserved attention, Lucian was invited to participate on the first season of SLICE channel’s hit reality-TV show, PROJECT RUNWAY CANADA wherein he stole the hearts of Canadians everywhere and took a very contentious second place. Lucian’s fashions have also been in and on many magazines editorial pages & covers around the world including LUSH, FLARE, ELLE CANADA, ION, AMAZING CANADIAN, TRIBUTE (France), LAUNCHPAD (USA), APPLIED ARTS to name just a few. (About Lucian Matis, courtesy of FDCC)

LG Fashion Week: Ryerson School of Design – Monday, March 29th, 2010

Ryerson Designers (by order of appearance):

Sheila Lam – Hailing from Vancouver B.C, Toronto based fashion designer Sheila Lam is one of the most talented designers in Canada. She won Bretton’s Designer of the Year Award 2009 at Ryerson University and as well as The Best Display/Design at Art of Fashion Competition. Sheila Lam’s work has been in Fantastic Magazine, City Life Magazine, and Flare. She has also been broadcasted on Fairchild Chinese Television and Breakfast Television by CityTV. Her passion comes from both fashion and her faith in God. She gives thanks to Christ for the talent she’s been given and she is striving to share these two loves of hers with the world. This leads us to the inspiration for her collection, Revelation based on the last book of the bible. It talks about the apocalypse; Sheila tried to evoke that through her garment being beautiful and bold, while still staying strong on her idea. Revelation 22:7 “Behold, I am coming soon!” (About Sheila Lam, courtesy of FDCC)

Angelene Fenuta – Angelene Fenuta is a Toronto-based avant-garde designer originally born in Southern Ontario. During her studies in the Fashion Design program at Ryerson University, Angelene discovered her love for working with industrial materials in order to create unique pieces with intricate detailing. Her graduate collection entitled “Litis,” illustrates the journey of a designer breaking free from constraints of the material and the body. Placing emphasis on colour, materiality and form; Angelene strives to inject intellectual concept into her designs in an attempt to transcend fashion’s common limitations. (About Angelene Fenuta, courtesy of FDCC)

Freda Audrey Tam – Freda Audrey Tam takes inspiration from her travels and unites it with her imagination. She has an exceptional eye for colour and loves high-contrast combinations. In her menswear designs, there are always unusual seam lines, textured fabrics and unique trims. She pays attention to minor details which she believes is the key to success. In 2008, her passion in men’s suiting took her to New York City for an apprenticeship with bespoke designer, Duncan Quinn. During her time there she was also closely trained by master tailor, Luigi Cirelli at Martin Greenfields. Her collection, Service Electro reflects her time in New York City, emphasizing in excellent tailoring and endless surprise details within each garment. Service Electro is an edgy novelty suiting collection with impeccable fit. The silhouettes are inspired by classic menswear tailoring. This collection takes inspiration from service uniforms; particularly marching band and military uniforms. The collection focuses on trim cut blazers with unique seaming details and unusual fabric combination. Service Electro garments are character pieces for thinkers, musicians, and actors. It is made for extravagant individuals that like to be bold. (About Freda Audrey Tam, courtesy of FDCC)

Jennifer Allison – Jennifer is originally from North Bay, ON where the idea of a career in fashion design seems far-fetched to most. Going against the grain, Jennifer moved to Toronto, ON at seventeen to do what she does best. Now considered to be one of Canada’s emerging designers, Jennifer holds a Bachelor in Fashion Design from Ryerson University and was recently featured in Flare Magazine as the One to Watch. Jennifer’s most recent collection, Walking Tall, tells the story of a girl named Aurora, a daydreamer seeking adventure. Through 5 pieces you will be taken on a journey and witness piece-by-piece, Auroras self-discovery. Native American tradition provides that each individual is connected with a selection of animals that will accompany them throughout their life, acting as spiritual guides. Different animal guides come in and out of our lives depending on the direction that we are headed and the tasks that need to be completed along our journey. You will be introduced to the characters that help Aurora find her way: The bird, the bear, the deer and the rabbit. This collection is created for anyone who shares an appreciation for creativity, craftsmanship or who simply enjoys instilling some fantasy into his or her every day reality. (About Jennifer Allison, courtesy of FDCC)

Elle Event: TFI Anastasia Lomonova – Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Initially trained as a visual artist, Anastasia became involved in fashion at the age of 18, upon entering Ryerson University’s prestigious fashion program. After completing 2 years of the course, the young designer relocated to the beautiful city of Montreal, famous for its European allure and style. Here, she apprenticed with several established designers before creating her own line at the age of 22.

Born to Russian parents in Odessa (Ukraine), Anastasia spent many years living on the island of Cyprus. Sharing her time between the Mediterranean coast and historical streets of Europe resulted in a vast source of inspiration, applied to all her designs. “Anastasia Lomonova” is the ideal balance of sexy and elegant. While maintaining simplicity in all its lines and shapes, the collection is effortlessly luxurious – complimented by impeccable quality. (Courtesy of Anastasia Lomonova)

Elle Event: TFI Birds of North America – Saturday, April 24th, 2010

After graduating from Ryerson University’s Fashion Design program in 2002, Hayley Gibson worked for several years in costuming and ran her own tailoring business for two years. In 2007, she created Birds of North America. In designing Birds of North America clothing, Hayley Gibson’s desire is to transform her perceptions and emotions, which are filtered through the uniquely constructed mesh of her aesthetic, into objects that can be experienced by others. (Courtesy of Birds of North America)

Elle Event: TFI Diepo – Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Brought together by their studies and a love for vintage lingerie, Justine Diener and Kristin Poon founded diepo in 2007. diepo is a fusion of Justine’s tailored, spare perspective with Kristin’s clean and sporty aesthetic. The two use their strengths, Justine in wovens and Kristin in knits to create a line of luxurious garments that blur the line between bedroom and daywear. (Courtesy of Diepo)