Dare to Wear Love 2014

Canadian fashion all-stars created a catwalk for good.  The Dare to Wear Love fashion show last Friday night brought together Canada's top designers for a fundraiser to benefit the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Canadian celebrities modeled the looks at Toronto's Ritz-Carlton hotel.

The annual gala was founded by one of my first fashion industry employers, Jim Searle and Chris Tyrell of Hoax Couture.  Designers like Brian Bailey, Lida Baday and Linda Lundstrom (another early employer of mine) across Canada created dramatic looks inspired by the motifs and spirit of Africa.  You could see traditional fabric patterns used in ballgowns or punk capes.  Models styled in a twist on the traditional hair wrap.

The show itself was an uplifting display of diversity, as gorgeous men and women of all ages, shapes and ethnicity vamped it up for the cause.  This also included a very pregnant Amanda Bruegel of CityTV and broadcaster/model Joanne Smith who dazzled in blonde, cheekbones and totally fierce wheelchair.

The Stephen Lewis Foundation works in many countries across Africa to fight the devastation of AIDS/HIV.  This encompasses grassroots efforts in home care for orphans, the elderly, education, arts, funding over 700 initiatives with collaborators looking to help.

If you want to get involved, you can attend an event, start a group, volunteer or donate to the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Photos by George Pimentel and Taralea Cutler of Eye Contact Photography

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TORONTO FASHION WEEK: Dare to Wear Love Gala

I'm here in Toronto this week to scope out the best designers in the North.  Before I get to my first show, I wanted to help spread the word on the Dare to Wear Love Gala happening this Friday, March 22nd. It is a spectacular fashion show bringing together Canada's top designers and a grand party.  It is the passion project of one of my first fashion industry employers, Chris Tyrell and Jim Searle of the label Hoax Couture.

Proceeds of Dare to Wear Love benefit the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which aims to fight the devastation that AIDS has caused in Africa.  Past galas have had shows that honor the silhouettes and fabric patterns of African tribes as interpreted by artists and designers of Canada.

I spent a brief summer at Hoax Couture before my sophomore year at Parsons. I remember that Jim and Chris were always generous with their time, with any organization that asked for their help.  It is great to see their philanthropic pursuits organized to become a huge event that reaches so many ... It also makes me feel good knowing such a large number of fellow Canadians, designers, celebrities and sponsors have come out to support them for the purpose of a good cause.

If you're in town for Toronto Fashion Week, I ask you to buy a ticket to the gala or donate to the organization if you cannot.  Show these guys some love!

Photos by George Pimentel from the 2012 Gala

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