5 things to expect at Toronto Fashion Week F/W 2015

Toronto Fashion Week is about take over the David Pecault Square tents, and once again, fashion media are dusting off their least practical shoes and steaming out their statement blazers - though, according to at least one thinkpiece, peacocking street style may be finally going the way of the dodo (good news for me and my black sneaker collection).

Outside the tents, the outlandishly-dressed may or may or may not continue to preen and parade for photographers; inside, however, the times are most definitely a-changin'. There's a little extra breathing room for new designers on this week's schedule, as two of Fashion Week's hugest reigning brands are now out of the picture: a now Joe-less Joe Fresh (now aiming to focus more on a global takeover than their continued domination at home), and Target (for obvious reasons).

Here's what else to expect at this season's shows.

Never-before-seen labels

Menswear line Jaan Choxi is about to debut at fashion week - it's so new, there's only one teaser image (a gent in a sleek black suit) out there hinting at what to expect. However, right now you're more than able to feast your eyes on the pop-art streetwear of Atelier Wonder - their neon-and-glitter-studded pieces are basically Tumblr: The Fashion Line, and I am all over it.

Retailers on the runway

You might have shopped for high-end yogawear at Lole or edgy indie labels from around the world at Parloque; now you'll get to see their wares on the runway as both brands show at WMCFW for the first time. The latter will be unveiling their 111 house line; the former will hopefully take their activewear in daring new directions (and not just use the runway as an advertising opp).

Returning rookies

After Hayley Elsaesser's boldly printed, sequined and silver-streaked collection last season, she'll be one of the week's hottest tickets (mark my words). Others to watch are Helder Diego (formerly BLAK.I), who put forth a strong effort at last fall's Mercedes-Benz Start Up competition; Edmonton-based minimalist Malorie Urbanovich, and Tatsuaki, whose uneven S/S14 show hinted at some major promise.

Sid Neigum's victory lap

I'd be remiss not to mention Neigum's stellar past few months: he swept WCMFW two design competitions last season, and after years of trying to get stocked in Canadian stores, TNT, Jonathan and Olivia and The Room all began carrying his designs. A lot's been leading up to his opening night show - but given his unique talent and vision, it's bound to be one to remember.

Fashion Week fixtures

As we begin another Fashion Week season, we pray: that Rudsak and Mackage somehow keep finding fresh new takes on the leather jacket; that Kim Newport-Mimran keeps blasting out of Pink Tartan's ladies-who-lunch comfort zone; that Klaxon Howl tops last season's live drum accompaniment (which, given the success of Whiplash, now seems weirdly prescient); that Mikhael Kale stays super fierce; and that Stephan Caras doesn't try to smother us with the draperies again. Amen.

What are you looking forward to at Fashion Week? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by Mauricio Calero.

by Natalia Manzocco via blogTO