Canada may not be the first country that springs to mind when the topic of breaking ground in fashion arises, but designers there are quietly starting a runway revolution that deserves more attention internationally. For example, Mark Fast, an ex-pat Canadian, created a major stir when he showed 6 pieces of his collection during London Fashion Week S/S 2010 on size 12+ models. (full story + pics linked here) Fast talks in this article about the impact the show had on his career.
Sunny Fong, winner of Project Runway Canada (season 2), opened Toronto Fashion Week on October 19, 2009 with his 12-piece collection VAWK and scouted a size 12 and a 40+year old to walk in his show.
“I am all about diversity and choosing different looks, as opposed to clones – that’s not interesting. I chose models of all ages and sizes because I want to prove that my clothes are meant to be worn; they aren’t only for show. I wanted to let people imagine what my clothes would like if you were to see them walking down the street.”*
Models: Alison (size 12), Peggi (40+)
Photos: Felix Wong
Photo source: Beauty Business
Video credit: Istoica
During the Fall 2009 Toronto Fashion Week, Vancouver-based designer Cheri Milaney featured models of all sizes and ages scouted from the streets to better reflect her customer base. The 22 women cast for the show had never set foot on a catwalk before.
“It’s my goal to inspire the women who buy my designs, to wear them with confidence and in ways that truly reflect their style and celebrate their life. …In projecting our true self, we automatically look and feel confident.”
Watch Fall 2009 show here
The genius lynchpin partner of the Milaney and Fong castings is Ben Barry, whose blog “Beauty Business” should be regarded as compulsory reading for any fashion company, and certainly stands as a companion to this site for readers interested in seeing more age diversity among models.
