CAFA Profiles

VAIKEN – Emerging Fashion Fridays Valérie Tolila is a woman on a mission. Back in 2000, Tolila embarked on what would be a 13-year trip through Europe. While living in Istanbul, she decided to take a chance and enrolled in fashion design at LaSalle College International. She graduated with honours in two years and was chosen as the assistant to Vivienne Westwood during Istanbul’s first fashion week. As part of this highly publicized event, she had the opportunity to work with several high-profile designers, including Ferragamo, Roberto Cavalli and Missoni. Honing in on her craft, she was invited to Paris fashion week and attended shows for Balmain and Valentino, amongst others. Following this, she began working under the tutelage of famed Portuguese designer António Augustus who encouraged her to develop a capsule collection. Her passion for creating was cemented and upon returning to Montréal in 2013, Tolila launched her label:…

Malorie Urbanovitch – In the Spotlight Emerging designer Malorie Urbanovitch has been garnering national attention as one of the most promising new talents in Canadian fashion. Her spring 2014 ready-to-wear collection was named as one of the winners at the Mercedes-Benz Start Up competition. Since then, Malorie’s work has appeared on the pages of renowned publications such as a British Vogue and ELLE Canada. The designer’s on-point aesthetic is perhaps one the reasons behind her resounding success; each garment designed by Urbanovitch is characterized by attention to functionality and the importance of quality fabric. CAFA spoke to Malorie Urbanovitch about Edmonton’s fashion community and the importance of creative collaboration. To read more about Malorie Urbanovitch, please visit www.malorie.ca CAFA: You experimented with a variety of different disciplines while in University. What made you decide to pursue a career in fashion design? MU: I started out by completing my degree in…

Christopher Paunil – An Artful Alliance “The business of fashion is sometimes overlooked,” says emerging designer Christopher Paunil. While it is true that fashion’s creative facet tends to take the spotlight, a brand simply cannot survive without the essentials of commerce, finance, marketing, and administration. The Toronto-based designer, along with his business manager Chalo Barruta, aims to strike a balance between artistry and business savvy. The duo recently spoke with CAFA about their latest ventures, including their residency at the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) and designing for Kleinfeld Hudson’s Bay. To read more about Christopher Paunil, please visit http://www.christopherpaunil.com CAFA: What first inspired you to make a career of fashion design? CP: I was first inspired by my grandmother who lived with my family while I was growing up. I would often see her making patterns, sewing dresses and creating her own garments. I also had a strong interest in…

Matthew Gallagher – In the Spotlight If you are a follower of Canadian fashion, the name Matthew Gallagher should certainly ring a bell. The bourgeoning designer is having a defining year – he was among the nominees for the CAFA 2015 Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent and is currently up for the prestigious TFI New Labels prize. He has also dressed the likes of actress Elisha Cuthbert, who wore Maison Matthew Gallagher to The Golden Globes fêtes earlier this year. Armed with Milanese training, an innovative approach to design and a personable manner, it is easy to see why Canada’s fashion community is beginning to take note of this fresh talent. We stopped by Matthew Gallagher’s studio to talk about his flourishing career and to hear his insights on the challenges of being a contemporary emerging designer in Canada. Certain photos courtesy of Katya Koroscil. To read more about Matthew…

Emerging Fashion Fridays – Jacqueline Piron Upon graduation from the prestigious Wilfrid Laurier University School of Business, Jacqueline joined her family’s business as a marketing and brand strategist. She has travelled extensively to Europe, Japan and the United States, honing her business skills and gathering inspiration from museums, art and fashion from around the world. Jacqueline was always eager to carry on the fashion tradition. Her mother, designed one-of-a-kind luxury sweaters made with French angora, pearl buttons from Harrods, silk and mohair yarns from Germany and Italy. Today, Jacqueline is picking up the pieces that her mother left behind; incorporating similar embellishments to her luxury t-shirt designs. Jacqueline’s collections are inspired by historic cities and each shirt is named after women in her life who has inspired her. She uses the finest available materials: Swarovski crystals, French angora, Italian and German mohair, leather, Italian silk organza, Japanese lace and ribbons….

Rudy Bois – Emerging Fashion Fridays Quebec City based designer, Rudy Bois, was born in Trois-Pistoles, Quebec, Canada. It’s after his Paris internship in fashion marketing that he reconnected with his childhood passion for designing womenswear. Rudy Bois launched his first high-end ready-to-wear collection under the label RUDYBOIS for the spring summer 2013 season. Success was immediate. This debut collection gave the brand a window through the international fashion press. RUDYBOIS designs have been featured in Elle Canada, Elle Québec, Dress To Kill, FASHION Magazine, LOULOU Magazine as one of the top Canadian brands, in Clin d’Oeil Magazine and several mainstream fashion publications. Many public personalities have worn RUDYBOIS, such as actress Karine Vanasse, international fashion model Pamela Bernier, TV host Véronique Cloutier and singer Marie-Mai. The first RUDYBOIS runway show featured the Spring Summer 2015 collection. It was presented on October 22nd 2014 at the World MasterCard Fashion Week…

Daniel Christian Tang – Emerging Fashion Fridays MORFOLOGI by DANIEL CHRISTIAN TANG Morfologi, by Daniel Christian Tang, is not just a line of jewelry – it is a tactile architectural experience. The jewelry created in the collection are true, one of a kind pieces of wearable art. Each piece is custom made from a single 3D printed file, cast in the finest materials and finished in Platinum, 18k Gold or 18k Rose Gold . Through the fusion of innovative design and modern technology, Daniel Christian Tang, has created a jewelry collection that harmoniously blends modern style with timeless elegance inspired by the intersection of art and architecture. The design team that makes up Daniel Christian Tang is one with an eclectic mix of disciplines that range from Biochemistry & Architecture to Material Sciences & Art. Graduating in all disciplines with Degrees of Distinction and High Distinction, the team of Daniel…