The kingpin
Joseph Mimran
JOE FRESH
As the man behind the ultra successful Joe Fresh fast-fashion chain and chair of the Fashion Design Council of Canada, Joe Mimran is inarguably the most powerful guy in Canadian fashion. His runway shows, a usually delightful parade of sporty/flirty fun, draw the boldest of boldface names to the front row each season. He even has a Mattel doll fashioned in his likeness, complete with silver mane and Cheshire cat grin. Next up on his agenda: Mimran takes Manhattan, where a Joe Fresh store is slated to open on Fifth Avenue this fall.
Mimran preps a model in head-to-toe Joe Fresh, including a striped knit turtleneck and fringed faux-leather skirt.
The dark horse
Ken Chow
Krane
Homegrown men's-wear labels can be counted on one hand and yet Ken Chow has managed to keep a low profile since launching his KRANE line in 2004. Having started with waxed cotton bags, the designer has since expanded into clothing, always maintaining a mostly black,
pseudo-military style. For his first presentation at LG Fashion Week, the former Marc Jacobs intern is adding leather, suede and shearling to the collection. Translation: His days of flying under the radar may be behind him.
Chow's model wears a khaki KRANE military-style wool coat, leather neck piece, striped dress shirt and black pants.
The ingénues
Justine Diener & Kristin Poon
diepo
After three years of showing at FAT - Fashion Art Toronto, the alternative-designer showcase - Ryerson University grads Justine Diener and Kristin Poon, whose line is called diepo, are ready to take their lingerie-inspired clothing to the next level. A capsule collection of 10 to 12 looks will span offerings from high-waisted knickers to cashmere cardigans, all of them figure-flattering and subtly sensual. Although ideal for luxe lounging, diepo pieces are too lovely to be worn without company. Sleepover, anyone?
Diepo's look features a green cardigan over a black bra and knickers. The Fallon cuff and Common Projects shoes are from www.racboutique.com.
The wild cards
Adrian Mainella & Izzy Camilleri
IZMA
He gained a following as host of the TV series Fashion File; she's been a fixture on the Canadian fashion scene for over 26 years, designing everything from costumes to a line of "adaptable apparel" for women with special needs. Together, Adrian Mainella and Izzy Camilleri, who teamed up to found IZMA, will be presenting their second collection of plush outerwear and accessories showcasing sustainable Canadian fur. Rounding out the capelets, stoles and shrugs are new ready-to-wear pieces. Is it wrong to long for winter to return?
Mainella and Camilleri showcase a signature IZMA ensemble: black fur bolero jacket with floor-length organza skirt.
The jet-setter
Kimberly Newport-Mimran
Pink Tartan
These days, Pink Tartan designer Kimberly Newport-Mimran spends nearly as much time staging trunk shows in New York, Palm Beach, Houston and Dubai as she does in Toronto. Never straying too far from her trademark little black dresses and tailored blouses, she takes a sophisticated approach to sportswear and hits that perfect sweet spot between uptown and downtown. Newport-Mimran (yes, wife of Joe) has also become the go-to creator of chic uniforms: Employees of Holt Renfrew, Porter Airlines and New York's 60 Thompson hotel are among those who wear her designs.
Newport-Mimran adjusts a white Pink Tartan tie blouse paired with a short camo-print skirt.
The sophomore
Sunny Fong
VAWK
Two years after his Project Runway Canada win, Sunny Fong continues to draw from disparate references when creating his VAWK collections. This season, it's Savile Row meets Himalayan mountain climber (wild mushrooms and automobiles were his starting points last fall). Fong's dramatic details - in fabric application and construction - are a counterpoint to his soft-spoken, decidedly non-diva persona. What's more, he champions model diversity, making as strong a statement with his social awareness as he does with his designs.
Fong's camel coat with knit collar covers a black dress shirt and black wide-legged pants.
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Amy Verner