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Fashion

Seven Canadian designers reveal all

The top fashion talent answers our questions, from what inspires them to the worst advice they've been given, and the most notable trends to expect this fall.
Seven Canadian designers reveal all

Alfred Sung, by Alfred Sung

A household name, Alfred Sung has been a major player in the Canadian fashion industry since 1979. With a resumé that includes everything from fragrance to eyewear and bridal, he is one of Canada’s most respected designers. In the spring of 2009, he started the label Pure Alfred Sung, a lifestyle collection for women. No matter the project, he’s known for his love of classic design and elegant style.

Q: What or who are your biggest influences? A: My biggest influence is interesting people. Q: What is your first ‘fashion’ memory? A: My first fashion memory comes from the image of Audrey Hepburn. Q: What inspires you? A: I gain most of my inspiration from traveling. Q: Where would you like to be in 10 years from now? A: Hopefully I will be in the same place: healthy, happy and enjoying life. Q: What part of the world is next on your list to travel? A: I’ve never been to Russia, St. Petersburg sounds very interesting to me. Q: Who or what makes you laugh? A: I laugh a lot at TV comedies such as Keeping up Appearances and I love Lucy. Q: Which gadget could you never give up? A: I honestly don’t really have or use any gadgets. Q: What’s the most exciting part of your job? And what’s the most tedious part? A: The most exciting part of my job is working with the different colours and fabrics. The most tedious part is getting the fit right. Q: What is the worst piece of advice you’ve been given? A: I’ve never really been given any bad advice. Q: Tweet or not to tweet? A: No, I do not tweet. Q: What do you think will be the most notable fashion trends for 2011? A: I think the most notable fashion trends for 2011 will be bright colours and long length skirts.

Basic tank cami, $10, Petal cardigan, $35, Classic pencil skirt, $27, Shoes, $30, Pure Alfred Sung.

Alfred Sung, interview, fashion

Joe Fresh, by Joe Mimran

With his business savvy, love of fashion and insight into emerging trends, Joe Mimran has been one of the most important contributors to the Canadian fashion and design industry for more than 25 years (think Club Monaco, Caban and Pink Tartan). Most recently, as the creative director of Joe Fresh, he has closed the gap between stylish design and affordable clothing

Q: What or who are your biggest influences? A: I love going back into time and drawing inspiration. Q: What is your first ‘fashion’ memory? A: My mother draping fabric on a mannequin. Q: What inspires you? A: Contemporary art – there is so much going on in the art world and it has such depth. Q: Where would you like to be in 10 years from now? A: Would like to see the brand become international. Q: What is the last great book you read? A: I love to read mystery novels – especially with a historical angle – The Hangman’s Daughter. Q: What’s on your bedside table? A: Mags, mags and more mags. Q: What part of the world is next on your list? A: South America – Rio de Janeiro. Q: What is your guiltiest pleasure? A: Dark chocolate. Q: What is your favourite comfort food? A: Extra-thin crust crispy pizza. Q: Which word(s) do you most overuse? A: Chic-o-rama. Q: Who or what makes you laugh the hardest? A: N/A. Q: Which gadget could you never give up? A: My blackberry and MacBook Air. Q: What’s the most exciting part of your job? And what’s the most tedious part? A: Designing a new season [is]. Some of the long haul flights can be very tiring and tedious. Q: What is the worst piece of advice you’ve been given?  A: Get out of the fashion business. Q: Tweet or not to tweet? A: Great social tool and gives you a sense of the zeitgeist – I prefer reading than writing! Q: What do you think will be the most notable fashion trends for 2011? A: Colour and optimism.

Neoprene Coat, $99, Button-Down Shirt, $19, Drawcord Skirt, $39, Joe Fresh.

Joe Fresh, Joe Mimran, interview

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LINE Knitwear, by John Muscat and Jen Wells

In 2000, best friends John Muscat and Jennifer Wells joined forces to develop a collection of luxury knits. Over the years, Line has gained international exposure with its unique take on sweater dressing. Loyal customers love the expert draping, embellishments and exaggerated details — and the famous wrap cardigan.

Q: What or who are your biggest influences? John: I admire larger luxury brands and the teams behind them that have built them into what they are. Jen: The couturier’s let you dream a little and get the creative juices flowing, but it is my customers the influence what I make. Q: What is your first ‘fashion’ memory? John: A high school fashion show. I was helping a friend to organize our high school fashion show and she got fired from the project and I was put in charge of it. Jen: Making clothes for my Barbie – I was obsessive about co-coordinating her outfits. Q: What inspires you? John: The market is constantly changing more now than ever. I am inspired by calculating both the brand strategy and the styling that clients want from us. Jen: Colour is a huge source of inspiration. Q: Where would you like to be in 10 years from now? John: I try not to look that far into the future. Jen: Happy, healthy and a spread in Vogue! Q: What is the last great book you read? John: Deluxe by Dana Thomas. Jen: Vogue, though it's less of a book and more of a bible.

Q: What’s on your bedside table? John: The Secret of Chanel No. 5 by Tilar J Mazzeo. Jen: Yonka hand cream and my phone. Q: What part of the world is next on your list? John: USA – its always on my list. Jen: South Africa has always been on the list. Q: What is your guiltiest pleasure? John: Shoes, shoes, shoes. Jen: Trash TV, the more reality the better. Q: What is your favourite comfort food? John: My mom’s homemade pizza. Jen: Mac and cheese. Kraft, from the box, of course.

Q: Which word(s) do you most overuse? John: Let’s have a meeting. Jen: Unfortunately one that we can’t print in this article. Q: Who or what makes you laugh the hardest? John: Jen Jen: My crazy partner, John. Q: Which gadget could you never give up? John: Blackberry. Jen: My hair straightener. Q: What’s the most exciting part of your job? And what’s the most tedious part? John: Figuring out what our clients want and same answer [for]. Jen: The most exciting is receiving packages from the factories with new sweaters. The most tedious is getting them made: Lots of juggling, testing and trying to get things to look the way I imagine. Q: What is the worst piece of advice you’ve been given? John: LINE is a terrible name you need to change it. Jen: ‘Don’t go into fashion’! Q: Tweet or not to tweet? John: I am obsessed with reading tweets but rarely tweet myself. Jen: Tweeting is great, but I just don’t do it. Q: What do you think will be the most notable fashion trends for 2011? John: I'll let Jen answer that one. Jen: Pleated pants and longer skirts because it’s helping to change the silhouette of baggy tunics that we have all been living under.

Cardigan, $229, Top, $199, Belt, Pants, Shoes, Prices available upon request. LINE Knitwear.

LINE Knitwear, John Muscat, Jen Wells

Smythe, by Christie Smythe and Andrea Lenczner

Traditional menswear details are the inspiration for this collection. The artful tailoring and sartorial fit have made Smythe a success since its launch in 2004. Its classic tuxedo jacket is on every fashion editor’s wish list.

Q: What or who are your biggest influences? Both: When we met in high school, there was a big fashion spark between us. It was that instant recognition of, and appreciation for, someone's innate style and how they express that through appearance.  Believe it or not, we were able to sense this in each other even though we both wore a uniform. We have highly influenced each other ever since. Q: What is your first ‘fashion’ memory? Christie: Playing dress up.....with my brother Tommy. Andrea: Begging my mother to wear her high heeled boots (which she did on my birthday). It was beyond me why you wouldn't wear those go go's every single day of your life. Q: What inspires you? Both: People, places, textiles, interiors, architecture, nature and life. Q: Where would you like to be in 10 years from now? Both: Right here. Q: What is the last great book you read? A: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. The story personifies perseverance. C: How to be a Bush Pilot by Claudia Dey. Q: What’s on your bedside table? A: A photo of my youngest son. C: Fresh flowers. Q: What part of the world is next on your list? A: On my way to Tuscany! C: India with Andrea; Morocco with Christian Q: What is your guiltiest pleasure? C: Chips in bed! A: Being alone in a hotel room. Q: What is your favourite comfort food? A: Christie's cheese drawer C: Andrea's meatloaf Q: Which words do you most overuse? Both: Babe Q: Who or what makes you laugh the hardest? A: Christie is very hilarious. We laugh regularly at the office C: Tommy Smythe. His tweets are so good. Q: Which gadget could you never give up? A: My dustbuster. C: My wine stopper. Q: What’s the most exciting part of your job? And what’s the most tedious part? Both Best: Design. Seeing a great sample for the first time is very exciting. Both Tedious: Production of said design. Manufacturing anything is a challenge. Q: What is the worst piece of advice you’ve been given? Andrea: To stay out of the fashion industry. Christie: N/A. Q: Tweet or not to tweet? Both: Tweet with restraint! Q: What do you think will be the most notable fashion trends for 2011? Both: For fall, rich textured fabrics (mohairs, tweeds, velvets and boucle's) in deep saturated colors such as teal, aubergine, emerald and, of course, black will be prevalent. Classic, minimalist design silhouettes will offset the elaborate nature of these fabrics.

Seven Canadian designers reveal all

Smythe Jacket, $550, Top, $325, Holt Renfrew. Jeans, $188, Fidelity Denim.

Smythe, interview, fashion, Christie Smythe, Andrea Lunczner

VAWK, Sunny Fong

Sunny Fong has been in the spotlight since winning season two of Project Runway Canada, and is captivating buyers and customers with his charm, talent and designs. This self-taught and very passionate newcomer is one to watch.

Q: What or who are your biggest influences? A: My parents are my biggest influences. We were never rich growing up, and I saw how hard they worked to provide for us. That’s why I believe hard work is the only way to true success.

Q: What is your first ‘fashion’ memory? A: My first fashion memory was watching Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and thinking about what dress I could make her.

Q: What inspires you? A: Book stores inspire me. I love book and magazines; I love to surround myself with anything visual.

Q: Where would you like to be in 10 years from now? A: I would like VAWK to be a global fashion brand where my only hard work is to design a great collection and to design other lines.

Q: What is the last great book you read? A: Deluxe by Dana Thomas, it really made me think about how I can take VAWK to a luxury level.

Q: What’s on your bedside table? A: Magazines, lip balm and my iphone.

Q: What part of the world is next on your list? A: Paris, France is my next destination.

Q: What is your guiltiest pleasure? A: Madonna and dancing.

Q: What is your favourite comfort food? A: Kentucky Fried Chicken, really anything fried.

Q: Which word do you most overuse? A: LOL

Q: Who or what makes you laugh the hardest? A: Dancing and coming up with silly dance routines on the dance floor.

Q: Which gadget could you never give up? A: My Iphone.

Q: What’s the most exciting part of your job? And what’s the most tedious part? A: The most exciting time is when I come up with the theme and figure out how I’m going to make it into a collection. The most tedious part is time. Sometimes the ideas seem easy to construct and will only take a few hours, but in turn it may take a few days. That I’m still learning.

Q: What is the worst piece of advice you’ve been given? A: It’s sad to say but 'Follow your heart'.

Q: Tweet or not to tweet? A: Yes, Twitter at VAWK.

Q: What do you think will be the most notable fashion trends for 2011? A: Colour! It is definitely the most notable trend. I’m even doing it…LOL

Double-faced leather shirt with leather tie, $1,320, Knit-shawl trench, $1,824, VAWK.

Seven Canadian designers reveal all

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Philip Sparks, by Philip Sparks

Philip Sparks developed his eclectic style in the design departments of the Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet of Canada and the Stratford Shakespeare Festival. His brand, Philip Sparks Tailored Goods, was founded in 2007 and is set apart by its nostalgic-Canadiana feeling and vintage flair.

Q: What or who are your biggest influences? A: Vintage photographs and antique markets Q: What is your first 'fashion' memory? A: It would have to be watching Jeanne Beker on television Q: What inspires you? A: Vintage, vintage, vintage Q: Where would you like to be in 10 years from now? A: I'm going to keep that secret for now because I will be there in 10 years from now and I want it to be a surprise. Q: What is the last great book you read? A: I'm reading Pierre Berton's Prisoners of the North right now, quite enjoying it, that and any David Sedaris. Q: What's on your bedside table? A: Prisoners of the North and some other half started novels, a Kobo reader, a Vintage Torcan Fan, a wind up alarm clock (that I choose not to wind because it makes too much noise), a 70's plastic orange mushroom lamp and a big glass of water. Q: What part of the world is next on your list? A: Prince Edward Island. I've never been and I'm looking forward to it. Q: What is your guiltiest pleasure? A: Food..see below. Q: What is your favourite comfort food? A: Gandhi Roti, Smoke's Poutinerie or a good burger with French fries. Q: Which word(s) do you most overuse? A: I think that something that usually has to be pointed out by someone else - I'm not sure. Q: Who or what makes you laugh the hardest? A: My cat and David Sedaris. Q: Which gadget could you never give up? A: My MacBook Q: What's the most exciting part of your job? And what's the most tedious part? A: I love my job and that's why I do it, even the most tedious aspects of it are interesting is some shape or form. Q: Tweet or not to tweet? A: As long as you have something interesting to say Q: What do you think will be the most notable fashion trends for 2011? A: Variegated or mélange knits, photo prints, and rich textured wools.

Khaki Oxford shirt, $230, Maple-leafprint pleated skirt, $795, Philip Sparks.

Philip Sparks, fashion, interview

Lida Baday, by Lida Baday

Fans of Lida Baday have come to expect modern sophistication, quality craftsmanship and a refined edginess. Her garments are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside, and clothes from her label are sought after internationally.

Q: What or who are your biggest influences? A: Women - any age that wear their character and individual style effortlessly.

Q: What is your first 'fashion' memory? A: Trying to stand still for fittings. My clothes were made to measure by my Mother.

Q: What inspires you? A: The visual and tactile experience of great design - art - including textiles.

Q: Where would you like to be in 10 years from now? A: Passionate about life and retired.

Q: What's on your bedside table? A: Sculpture made by a special friend and The New Yorker.

Q: What part of the world is next on your list? A: Spain - Barcelona in particular. (But the list is long)

Q: What is your guiltiest pleasure? A: Really tasty champagne.

Q: What is your favourite comfort food? A: My Mom's chicken soup.

Q: Which words do you most overuse? A: "Where are my glasses?"

Q: Who or what makes you laugh the hardest? A: The who is Mario, my husband. He has one of the world's best laughs. And an odd sense of humour.

Q: What's the most exciting part of your job? And what's the most tedious part? A: Most exciting is the very start of a new season. Most tedious is the production of that same season.

Q: Tweet or not to tweet? A: Not to tweet.

Q: What do you think will be the most notable fashion trends for 2011? A: "Less is more", quality and minimalism at it's best.

Seven Canadian designers reveal all

Tucked dress, $785, 1-800-317-7661.

Lida Baday, interview, fashion

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