Art of Fashion – ‘RAW’ is the showcase for new Canadian fashion designers to launch their lines in front of their peers and mentors. Emerging designers are challenged to create cohesive collections and compete for the for Most Promising Designer Of The Year award. Art of Fashion (AOF) has been around for 16 years. It is easy to see Founder Michelle Planche’s enthusiasm for the yearly competition and fashion exhibit.

Art of Fashion – ‘RAW” is part of Toronto’s Nuit Blanche (7pm – 1am Sept. 29^th) and will be held at Hazelton Lanes in Yorkville. Spectators can view the collections and vote for their favourite designers, so get out and cast your ballot. Art of Fashion sets the stage for Canadian Fashion to be recognized internationally as an art form.

Anyone who’s even remotely tuned into the realm of Canadian fashion knows that there is an immense gap between a degree from a design school and being featured in a leading retail outlet. AOF seems to be that bridge between the two, allowing designers the opportunity to showcase their collections to the public and to have their work judged a panel of prestigious judges. The judges include such luminaries as designers Jessica Jenson of Jessica Jensen to Franco Mirabelli: Head Designer & president of Franco Mirabelli Design Inc, whose Mirabelli boutiques have been called “one of the best boutiques in Toronto” by fashion icon Jeanne Beker.

This year 10 designers will be creating 6 unique outfits, all interpreting the theme of “Raw” a theme that AOF describes as a “celebration of the intimacy between designers and materials by breeding couture from objects of common origin”

Spectators will be able to vote for The Most Promising Designer of The Year award, while judges will award one designer Best Exhibit of the year.

myETVmedia asks Art of Fashion founder, Michelle Planche about Art Of Fashion, This year’s Designers, and why the Canadian fashion industry is better than ever.

Lauren Schell

http://www.artoffashion.org/