Toronto designer Caitlin Power is in our WMCFashionWeek 2012 Spotlight. She is a talent to watch and we predict that she will become a household fashion name.

Caitlin Power was propelled on to the Toronto fashion scene in 2010 with her ultra “tailored” white cashmere dress for the White Cashmere Collection. The dress was a part of the White Cashmere Fashion With Compassion showcase. Designers from all over the country were asked to create one of a kind looks made completely out of cashmere toilet paper, an awareness-raising event for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. It wasn’t long before Caitlin Power was turning heads with her sci-fi-esk Fall/Winter 2012 collection at Toronto Fashion Week sponsored for the first time by MasterCard last March.

Caitlin is a Canadian fashion designer and was a finalist in the Mercedes Benz Start up Challenge featured during Toronto’s WMCFashionWeek for Spring/Summer 2013. The competition was of a very high caliber and the grand prize was awarded to Montreal designer, DUY. We were in awe of Caitlin Power’s chic, confidence inspiring, women’s wear collection with its great lines, simplicity and strength. Her play between leathers, chiffons and her sparse but very effective use of colour (because black is better) made her a winner in our minds.

Architecture was the inspiration for Caitlin Power‘s Spring/Summer 2012 collection. Her collection that blended leathers, chiffons and delicate yellow, mesmerized. It wasn’t hard to interpret Power’s goal to create pieces for a “Strong, Sophisticated, Modern Woman“. Highlights of her collection were peplums done in leather, grey and black paneled skirts and dresses. The totally kick-ass showstopper was the full leather, knee length dress, with a futuristic copper yellow/ silver detailing that was reminiscent of a warrior like breastplate. Strong woman message received.

The myETVmedia team caught up with Caitlin Power back stage to talk about her design aesthetic, the inspiration behind her stunning Spring/Summer 2013 collection, and advice for future young designers trying to get a start. We also paid Caitlin a visit at her studio where the real work takes place. We were so impressed with Caitlin’s determination, vision and hard work ethic combined with an obvious talent for women’s fashion that makes it own unique statement. We were in love with her collection and are dreaming of some of these pieces in our own wardrobe.

-Lauren Schell