Bustle Spring 2015

 Designers Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow brought the boys back from Greece to America for their Bustle spring 2015 collection.  Smiling, cocky models beamed and strutted as if they were basking in the Mediterranean sun on the runway at World Mastercard Fashion Week.

The design duo got their start as lawyers before turning to fashion.  They have an interest in product design in general over multiple categories of products, ranging from automobiles to hotel interiors.  Fashion fans in Canada will know Hewson from his work as a judge on the Canadian edition of Project Runway.

photos by David TW Leung

There was a Rugby theme via Greece for this season.  You could see this in the wide stripes and preppy separates in the collection.  Many shades of blue, teal, ivory and white along with a sunset rose gave this group a romantic, spring palette.  There were a few women’s looks that mirrored the men’s blazers and slim, crisp pants.  The one that was topless underneath the jacket that didn't close looked awkward.  Not to be sexist, but that just doesn’t work as well as the hunky shirtless guy walking down the runway in swimwear.  Did they run out of looks and decide to share a suit?

Regardless, this collection had a look of fun.  It was stylish, wearable, but didn’t take itself too seriously.  If the Bustle Spring 2015 guys run away to Greece again, I’ll make sure to follow. 

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Canadian Fashion - Indie Designers

Happy Canada Day! In the spirit of this day of independence from the North, I bring you some of Canada's top independent fashion designers.  I discovered some great indie fashion labels at World Mastercard Fashion Week in Toronto this past spring and hope they invade the borders soon!

The design team of Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow behind the BUSTLE label comes to represent what I love about Canada.  The collection is bright, good natured and has a sense of humor.  Menswear dominated their runway with well cut separates and suits in unexpected colors.  A few women's looks made their in as well. The designers started off in law practice, but their stylish collaborations soon came to include everyone from Vespa, Hotel St. Germain to the city of Las Vegas.

Golnaz Ashtiani won the TFI fashion award and quickly racked up press coverage from all of Canada's top fashion magazines.  Her collection, Ashtiani at Toronto Fashion week had sharp, architectural seams with clean cut tailoring.  I loved the mix of contrast fabrications and cool attitude.

MATIS is an award-winning collection from designer Lucian Matis.  He got his fashion design roots growing up in his mother's tailor shop before having is work grace the covers of the country's top publications. His fall 2013 collection had simple silhouettes populated with complex and beautiful prints.
Photos by David TW Leung

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