JUMA 2011 Autumn/Winter Unisex Collection: Sneak Preview

Brother and sister duo, Alia and Jamil Juma, have traveled to India, Tibet, Thailand, and Shenzhen (China) where they researched wildlife and local tapestry techniques.

Along with these influences, the designer duo incorporates gradients of color—midnight blue, burnt coral, olive, tangerine, nude, and black—to render the collection darker and moody.

Silhouettes and styling are directional as the video reflects the mood.

JUMA - 2011 FALL WINTER - Kaleidoscope from jumaonline on Vimeo.

Photos Copyright JUMA.

Category › Alia Juma , Canadian designers , Jamil Juma , Juma

Dana Lee's Classic North American Look

Dana Lee is a menswear designer based in New York who believes in supporting local production.

Daughter to an architect, Dana grew up in a home that her father built over a creek in North Vancouver—hence surrounded by nature’s best: canyons, mountains, and forests.

Dana’s outdoor life also shaped her sense of comfortable designs, which have been evolving since the onset of her fashion career.

Her first collection, entitled A-Z, emphasized everyday basics like shapes and fabrics. Dana envisioned her collection in juxtaposition to the asymmetrical gothic styles of the time.

Her 2011 spring/summer collection is simple, practical, and down to earth—possibly a reflection of the designer herself.

See the collection here.

Photos Copyright Dana Lee, Courtesy CJ Swanton.

Category › Canadian designers , Dana Lee

Drew William at Vancouver Fashion Week

Next week at Vancouver Fashion Week, 23-year-old Edmonton-born designer, Drew William, will present his 2011 spring/summer collection, which is entitled “Fractured.”

As the young designers states, “This season is a visual investigation of line and space: a reductivist approach to design.”
He goes on to say that “This will be the second collection showing of Drew William’s women’s wear alongside his menswear.”

Drew promises that it will be the best collection to date. Have a peek here.

Photos Copyright Drew William.

Category › Canadian designers , Drew William

18 Waits—So Enjoy It When It Arrives

At the Capsule Show in New York, which I attended two weeks ago, I was pleased to preview the 2011 spring/summer collection of 18 Waits and meet William McCullough—friend and business partner of the founder and chief designer, Daniel Torjman.

I read online that Daniel is a huge fan of Seventies rock and roll, in particular Tom Waits—this could explain the “Waits” part of the label.

As for the number 18, well, it represents a good number—a lucky one of sorts. Moreover, one often “waits” until the age of 18 for many things in life.

Anyway, I am sure that 18 Waits does not want you to wait to start enjoying life—hence, the reason for the brand: a sense of joie de vivre, or ‘joy of living’.

I like how 18 Waits describes itself: “It is a lifestyle which adheres just as much to Parisian cafés as it does to old English pubs, 1920s New York speakeasies, wood cabins by the lake, old upright pianos, poetry, literature, and 1970s rock and roll music.”

For autumn/winter 2010, 18 Waits has expanded the knit collection to transition more smoothly to tailored shirts.

The label will also bring back 4 favorite tees from the past, just in new colors.

Tailored shirts include long- and short-sleeves, while 2 styles of hats in 3 colors top off the collection.

Maybe you have seen the tagline before, but it is worth repeating: “Live Free. Travel Well. Enjoy Life. 18 Waits.”



Photo & slideshow Copyright 18 Waits.

Category › 18 Waits , Canadian designers , Daniel Torjman

a.a. by Antonio Azzuolo

Born and raised in Montreal, Antonio Azzuolo graduated with a B.A.A in Apparel Design from Ryerson University in Toronto, where he specialized in Men’s Tailoring.

Antonio moved to Milan after graduation, going on to participate in the “Festival des Jeunes Stylistes de Hyères” where he won first place in the menswear category.

The award permitted Antonio to relocate to Paris and launch his professional career.

Before he launched his label a.a., Antonio worked as design director for Ralph Lauren Purple and Black Label. He also served at Hermès and Kenzo in both New York and Paris.

Antonio has prepared an eclectic collection for autumn/winter 2010:

The Look
Urban space cowboys swing to a mod beat.

Inspirations
Hutterites, midnight cowboys, early Elvis, Glam Folk/Rock

Silhouette
Tailored and elongated shapes contrast with various cropped and layered knits.

Details
Saddle shoulder, rope sleeve, metallic leather patches, subtle graphic intarsia motifs, Trompe L’Oeil effects and recycled fur trim.

Color
Heather grey and beige, navy, brown, charcoal, black accents of apple green, melon, powdered blue, white, cream and iridescent metallic.



Photos & slideshow Copyright a.a.

Category › a.a. , Antonio Azzuolo , Canadian designers , cowboys , Elvis , glam rock , Music , trends styles

DSQUARED² Spring/Summer 2010 Goes Live!

Last week I posted several articles on DSQUARED², an avantguarde label from Canada that has spread quickly around the world.

Meanwhile, a video of the DSQUARED² Spring/Summer 2010 collection has just gone live!

Inspired by the thriller film “American Gigolò,” the collection presents a sexy range of exquisite taste in men’s clothing.

Rather than allowing today’s gentleman to fall into a frumpy, degenerate state like the protagonist in the 1980 film, DSQUARED² redeems his honor and without an alibi!

Video Copyright DSQUARED².

Photo Copyright DSQUARED², Courtesy Fashion Times.

Category › Canadian designers , Dan Caten , Dean Caten , DSQUARED² , film , griffe