New fashion brands in Toronto aren't terribly hard to come by. We're a city made up of creative entrepreneurs in all respects, and while we're most often known for being a destination for food trends, Toronto's name in the fashion and retail scene is constantly growing as more and more new clothing brands emerge onto the scene each year. Keep an eye out at your favourite local boutiques, they're often the best for showcasing Toronto's up-and-coming clothing must haves.
Here are my picks for the top upstart fashion brands in Toronto for 2015.
Iris Denim
The perfect denim pants are no longer a myth now that Iris Denim is around. They craft classic, dark blue denim jeans - inspired by Joan Jett - and are currently available at Silver Falls Vintage on Ossington.
Luxette Lingerie
Female-positive lingerie is a growing trend across North America, and here in Toronto, we have enough boutiques dedicated to undergarments that fostering the growth of local lingerie designers isn't a problem. Luxette Lingerie mixes traditional, modest styles with flirty silhouettes to cater to today's modern woman.
Against the Grain Sunglasses
Against the Grain sunglasses are Toronto's eco-friendly alternative to our beloved $5 sets from Kensington. Each pair is ethically made from 100% bamboo and comes with the reassurance of wearing something that supports the preservation of Canada's forests and wildlife.
Taessa Chorny
Jumpsuits are a necessity for any busy woman's wardrobe, something that Taessa Chorny kept in mind when creating her own fashion label. Her minimalist and youthful designs are made of luscious fabrics that you won't be afraid to live in all year long.
alljackedup
In what appears to be inspired by the gender-neutral clothing trend, alljackedup is redefining gendered dress codes with a line of bowties. The queer-friendly accessories line dresses people and dogs alike in popular prints like plaid, chevron, and polka dot.
Jordan de Ruiter
A graduate from George Brown's fashion design program, Jordan de Ruiter's clothing line is chock full of feminine dresses that are ideal for long summer days spent touring Toronto's neighbourhoods or for that first hint of spring weather. Her designs often use playful silhouettes and varying brightly-coloured and bold patterns.
Leilanni
Leilanni's super-dreamy women's swimwear line, available in varying shapes and sizes, comes with a side of art appreciation. A graduate of OCAD, creative director Leilanni Todd uses prints made by emerging artists around the world in each of her designs. The latest collection includes artwork from RCADE, the Toronto-based artist responsible for designing the signs and lettering for some of the city's most popular bars and restaurants.
Blanc de Noir
Blanc de Noir's accessories exude a kind of edgy minimalism, where basic necessities like scarves, leather bags and shoes are designed to live within the city's harsh landscape. While many of their items are only available in black, they've managed to show that an "all-black, all-the-time" mentality can have personality while being 100% practical. (They're currently Kickstarting their new shoe line.)
Iccha Jewelry
Designer Joti Gill uses a variety of techniques to create her jewelry, which show a unique combination of Indian influences and modern design. Between hand carving, repurposing vintage jewelry, and using digital technology to bring her designs to life, Gill's vision always produces a one-of-a-kind piece.
Halfwits
Since ultra-comfy sporty apparel appears to be sticking around for another season, streetwear clothing has become a serious must for many Torontonians interested in urban fashion. Halfwits is another welcome brand of hip-hop- and skate-inspired threads, created for the sake of looking fresh while still being perfectly low-maintenance.
Did I miss any? Leave your picks for upstart Toronto fashion designers in the comments.
Photo via Leilanni.
by Alex Brown via blogTO
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