Photos and Judges: La Belle Epoque is coming together

Lots of news on our upcoming design competition!  First, and most important: if you've been thinking of applying for the competition or trunk show, the time has come to get those applications in!

The deadline for application is Tuesday, August 31st - right around the corner!  Visit our website at www.artoffashion.org/labelleepoque to download the submission form.

Secondly, we're proud to announce that we've done a beautiful photoshoot to explore the look of this year's theme, La Belle Epoque.  Due to some uploading issues, please check them out on our Twitter and Facebook pages (for now)!

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we're thrilled to announce some of this year's industry judging panels.  We are absolutely honoured to have Cynthia Rea, Sarah Casselman, Liz West and Roy Nicholls confirmed for this year's event. It's names like these that give the design competition so much clout and affirm its standing as a unique opportunity for up-and-coming designers.

Thanks to everyone who's been involved so far, and designers... don't forget to sign up!

Where Are They Now: Heidi Ackerman

Recently, we updated you on 2009 Design Competition participant, Heidi Ackerman's appearance in the Star.  We caught up with the busy designer, who's hard at work on her line and creating avant-garde costume pieces for innovative, multi-media opera experience, Opera Erratica.

AOF: How did you first hear about Art of Fashion?

Heidi: I first heard about the Art of Fashion competition through a friend of mine Irene Stickney who I believe won the year before at Art of Fashion.

AOF: How would you describe your experience with the show? What opportunities did being involved with AOF open up for you?

Heidi: Creating an exhibit for AOF was a great experience! I found it so interesting and challenging to create a space that would reflect and represent my style and also engage the viewers. I would love to create more spaces and environments in the future. Through AOF I met great industry people including Leesa Butler from the F-List. After AOF, Leesa invited me to do a Designer Spotlight for one of her events.

AOF: Can you tell us a bit about what you’ve been up to since the design competition?

Heidi: I have been super busy since the design competition. In April I showed a new collection titled construct(this) at FAT (Fashion Art Toronto) and was also invited to present my work at a festival in Riga, Latvia called [moment]. I am currently working on a collaboration with an underground opera company called Opera Erratica - I am creating some avant-garde costumes that are more fashion than traditional costume. The opera will take place August 22-28 in a warehouse space on Lansdowne.

AOF: Do you have any advice for emerging designers in Canada? Do you think starting your design career in Canada is harder than it would be in places where the arts tend to be more valued?

Heidi: I think starting a design career is difficult anywhere. In Canada I am able to find a lot of press and opportunities for editorials but have a hard time finding my customer. I think that living or selling outside of Canada would be ideal for my type of design. My advice for emerging designers is to stay true to your style and follow your intuition.

AOF: How would you describe your style/pieces/line?

Heidi: I am definitely inspired and interested in the concept of futurism which I explore through my work. My design philosophy is to combine fashion-forward/avant-garde clothing with sustainable materials and business practices.

AOF: What do you think it takes to succeed as a designer in Canada? Is marketing crucial?

Heidi: A clear understanding of who your customer is and where you can find them. Creating an allure for your brand is also very important.

AOF: Where can shoppers buy your line?

Heidi: Currently I sell at Thieves Boutique at 1156 Queen Street West here in Toronto. Online stores are also in the works. I do private appointments in my studio; interested parties can contact me through e-mail at info@heidiackerman.com or flighthackerma@gmail.com

My website is currently under construction (http://www.heidiackerman.com/), so my work can be viewed at http://www.flightheidiackerman.blogspot.com/.

Call for Designers! Art of Fashion Needs You!

That's right, up-and-coming designers!  The Art of Fashion needs you.  To download the Designer Application, visit our Belle Epoque microsite at artoffashion.org/labelleepoque, or click here.

2009 Documentary: Iconic Power

It's here!  Check out the full-length documentary about our 2009 show, Iconic Power, and see what the Art of Fashion Design Competition is all about:

Art of Fashion 2009 - Iconic Power from Batchfilms on Vimeo.

Get Dressed... With Art of Fashion Participants, Desperately Different and Karamea

Great news, fashionistas!  Former Design Competition participants Desperately Different and Karamea are teaming up through July and into August to clear out their showrooms and make way for the new.  What does that mean for you?  An amazing opportunity to pick up some designer duds at clearance sale prices!  Check them out weekends at 335 Roncesvalles Ave, Unit 3.

From 2000 Design Competition participant Desperately Different's website: "Katya designs for an active, expressive metropolitan woman, who embodies a boldness for living life passionately, and whose busy lifestyle demands adaptable pieces that will compliment her essence day or night."  Now, if that doesn't sound like you, what does?

Michelle Turpin, the designer behind Karamea, won the Art of Fashion Design Competition in 2000.  To see photos of her beautiful pieces, check out her blog or the Karamea Facebook page.

Don't miss this opportunity to pick up some incredible designer pieces for under $125 each, and keep on supporting Canadian fashion design!

Trend Report

InfoMat, the fashion industry database and search engine, is a great place to check out trend reports and other goings-on in the fashion business, for those who like to stay in the loop.  This great preview of colour and fabric trends for Fall/Winter 2010/2011 includes a stimulating eye-full of all the colours and variety of fabric types we'll see in the cooler months.  Check it out for some great inspiration for your fall shopping, or just for the pure pleasure of seeing how some of the colours and fabrics are mixed.

Trend analysts and fashion clairvoyants say we'll be seeing a lot of rich, saturated colours this fall, as well as a variety of luxurious textured fabrics, like velvets and knits.  Look for oranges, golds, rich blues and soft pinks.

And when it comes to fall fashion, save the date!  Art of Fashion's annual design competition will be taking place during Scotiabank's Nuit Blanche on October 2nd.  For more information about this year's competition, La Belle Epoque, visit http://artoffashion.org/labelleepoque.

Heidi Ackerman in the Star

2009 Art of Fashion Design Competition participant Heidi Ackerman recently made the news with her cutting-edge, eco-friendly fashions. Click on the article below to enlarge, or view the full article online at http://www.thestar.com/living/fashion/article/801845--bold-brash-and-back-to-nature