Fanshawe flaunts fashions on the runway

Five Fanshawe students win coveted spots in L'Oreal Fashion Week

In late August, I had the chance to attend the evening show for the Unbound Fashion Show at the London Museum, which featured breath-taking pieces designed by the graduating class of the Fanshawe Fashion Design students, showing their top 2009 Spring designs to a very successful panel of judges.

The judges included Robin Kay, President of the Design Council of Canada, David Dixion, Canada's top evening wear designer and Gloria Dona, President of Optionelle - just to name a few.

With five spots open to show their pieces at L'Oreal Fashion Week in Toronto, from October 20-25, the 39 Fashion Design students pulled many long nights to showcase their talents and what they have been working towards for the past three years.


“There's been about 10-15 all nighters in about a month, it takes time to bring something to life,” said Kat Plamer, whose fashion line, “Sarharattitude,” was inspired by a desert storm.

The show featured four different sets, which were partnered with collaborating lines of clothing. The first set presented bright and electric designs and was perfectly titled “Street Freaks.” Set two was “Dainty Perception,” which was a collection of eveningwear with plunging necklines. The third set, titled “Ethno Beat,” incorporated inspiration from around the world with beautiful prints that were rich in colour. “Vouge Intrigued” was the fourth and final set and included elegant and sexy eveningwear with bold accessories.

In my opinion, two unique pieces stood out amongst the rest. The “Greco-Romani” line, designed by Brian Marstela, was roman-inspired complete with metal plates, while Jessie Head's “Ugly Beautiful” was an one-of-a-kind “Eveningwear meets Punk Rock” line, which was paired with Doc Martin boots and military jackets.

At the end of the fashion show, the 39 Fashion Design students walked down the runway with giant smiles, ready for what is to come next- the judges decision on which five fashion students will be advancing to the L'Oreal Fashion Week in Toronto this October. After 30 minutes of sitting on the edge, host Janice Zolf announced the five students that were Toronto fashion week Bound.

Leanne White; designer of “Princess Quirky”, Ashley Paquette; “Captivative Existence” from set two, Kat Palmer; designer of “Saharattitude”, Jessica Etherno; Designer of “ Utopian Adventures” of set three, and Brian Maristela designer of “Greco-Romani” of set four, who also won the Brand Award and his design will be the face of the Promotion for the 2009 Unbound Fashion Show.

I was captivated by the designs and integrity that the students held. Congratulations to all the graduates and I wish you the best of luck in the fashion world.