Fanshawe fashions hit Toronto runway
October 20-25 was full of fashion packed events that these students were able to be a part of, but the big day for the five Fanshawe students was Friday, October 24 at 1pm. This 16th season of Fashion Week was produced by the Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC). The designs that the talented students used to compete against 39 other fashion students in August at the Unbound Fashion Show at the London Museum, won them the opportunity.
Nelia Loren Carriere, professor of Fashion Design Art & Design at Fanshawe College, was there with these students every step of the way.
“We were the only Canadian college participating in the event (L'Oreal Fashion Week),” Carriere said.
The five students used the same winning designs that they created in the Unbound Fashion Show as they did at Fashion Week because those outfits were the ones that were approved by the judges, which were top Canadian designers. The Fanhsawe students also were able to hire a stylist to help accessorize their outfits to make them look even more stunning.
They were each aloud five ‘looks,' which for those who are fashion illiterate consist of shoes, hats, accessories, or any other additions to the outfit to create an entire look. Carriere experienced being asked how they got to be a part of such a big event, and the answer is simple, hard work.
“Twenty-five per cent of the work is done in the classrooms, they worked around 100 hours a week,” Carriere explained.
For six or seven years, Carriere has participated in mini runway shows at Toronto's annual Fashion Week.
“Last year we were in the main runway room with all the celebrity designers, but this year we were in the b-list runway room,” said Carriere.
Even though they were in the b-list runway room, you will not hear a complaint because they are very fortunate to even be involved in the Fashion Week.
“Geographically, we are at a disadvantage because Toronto is the International scene.” Carriere stated. “I made it my mission statement to participate in the event.”
She got her opportunity when she met with Robin Kay, who is the president of FDCC and has 25-years experience in the fashion world. Carriere went in with a presentation that highlighted the point of giving young Canadian Designers an opportunity. Ever since then, the two kept in touch.
The best part of this special day for Carriere was “seeing her students in awe.” They were amazed at the fact that they were present.
“It was a highlight for me to see my students up there!” Carriere stated excitedly.
The whole experience, Carriere said, is “a bit like a dream.” On the other end, it also had its downs. Her other students weren't able to get the chance of letting their designs shine on the runway, so to make up for it, each student was able to show one of their designs in Unbound Magazine, a portfolio-like magazine that shows the students' designs and was present at the Fashion Week so everyone can see them.
Another advantage that the students had was that normally there is a budget for everything, “but we wanted to be as professional as possible (for the L'Oreal Fashion Week). So we hired professional models, photographers and stylists,” said Carriere. Fanshawe College was their financial support, but they also received support from the London Museum for donating their venue, FDCC and John Sayer, who was the photographer.
After all of their hard work, there was no energy left for celebrating.
“Taking into mind that we made it, we survived, was our celebration,” Carriere said.
