POW by Andy Thê-Anh Photo credit: “MarkThorburn.com”

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Komal Sodhi Anand

There are people, who define success with the number of tasks that they have undertaken, and there are some that measure their success with their achievements, Komal Sodhi Anand is one of the latter. Having spent most part of her life in India where she handled and managed fashion shows for most of the corporate, she wanted to contribute her bit to bring a new dimension to the ever-growing fashion industry.

The ongoing effort is being realized, as she plans to showcase India and it's richness at the Toronto Fashion Week, Canada.

This is only the first step towards introducing Indian Fashion talent to the world, as she plans to take the Indian Showcase to other international fashion weeks across the world.

“It'll only be my small contribution to exposing the world to the vast traditional and traditional heritage of India” she says with a sense of achievement. “It's the right time now, as India is establishing itself not only as a developing nation but a world force”.

One small step for sets the foundation for a giant leap in the world of Indian Fashion…

Anjana Bhargav

Anjana ensures that her clothes are eminently affordable and she brings to fashion an amazing freshness of thought, which stems from her respect for the individual client. Her list of clients is a true indication of the versatility of the Anjana Bhargav label: from Booker winner Arundhati Roy to bureaucrat and classical dancer Shovana Narayan, there’s a successful woman from virtually every profession or calling she has dressed. From the beauty and fash frat, there are Shahnaz Hussain, Feroz Gujral, and Divya Chauhan. Aesthetes like dancer Sharon Lowen and actress Sushma Seth vouch for her work just as vocalist Shubha Mudgal and entrepreneur Romi Dev do.

Catherine Brule

Catherine Brule’s interest in fashion was nurtured amidst her many trips to the Orient, where her father introduced her to the clothing industry. In 1995, she studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. After graduating, she made her way to Los Angeles where she met influential people who helped her develop business skills. Back in Montreal, she finally created her own line of clothing in collaboration with Majestic Mills Europe. For Fall 2004, Catherine Brule is inspired by the femininity and sensuality of a women’s form. With her talent in full bloom, she continues to dazzle through her natural ability to create clothing, that is sexy and original yet comfortable and wearable. The Catherine Brule Collection allows today’s women to dress with elegance and sophistication, accentuated by her signature use of intricately weaved fabrics.

Bustle Clothing

Bustle, founded by Bay Street lawyers Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow, is a sportswear label which has become well known for its sexy and cheeky, as well as sharply tailored leisure aesthetic. Each season, Bustle produces a collection which is based around a fresh, fun, energetic, and sportif theme.

CINCYN

CINCYN designers Cindy Custodio and Cynthia Florek showcase their latest collection for Spring 2005. The colours of the rare and exotic Abalone Pearl are the essential element to this collection. The iridescent and lustrous shell resembles refreshing sea mist blues and greens, pearl whites, sand and corals. Soft and feminine silhouettes in fluent silks, cascading jerseys, and textured linens translate into opulent glamour.

Chulo Pony

Chulo pony is a quirky clothing line that focuses on strong graphic elements, intricate textile embellishments and a cheeky marketing approach. With mottoes such as, "thank-you for loving us", "watch the pony, it bites," and "protecting you from loneliness”, you can tell that this is no ordinary clothing line. Now in it's fifth season, Chulo pony’s Spring 2005 line is inspired by Mexico. With its colorful fiestas, lively night markets and creative community, Chulo pony captures the essence and excitement of ones first posada or promenade party, using a mix of iridescent sequins, hand stitched appliqués and day of the dead graphics.

Rosa Costanzo

Where functionality meets art with a blend of street and seduction. Ultra feminine looks and unstructured masculine details join forces to create a sexy, savage chic spring / summer collection.

David Dixon

David Dixon has enjoyed tremendous media acclaim and has been recognized as on of the leaders in Canadian Fashion. Spring 2005 marks the tenth anniversary of the David Dixon collection, a time to look back and move forward.

Rina Dhaka

Rina Dhaka has been a part and parcel of the Indian fashion scene for the past fifteen years. "I personally feel fashion for women is about giving options. It is about severity and seduction," says Dhaka on the charge that clothes reveal too much. Rina Dhaka emphasizes silhouettes and is willing to take risks.

Haithem Elkadiki

Haithem Elkadiki debuted his Fall 2003 collection at Toronto Fashion Week March 2003. His second appearance at Toronto Fashion Week for his  Fall 2004 collection became a newsworthy success. Haithem received publication in the Globe and Mail, Toronto Sun, and the Calgary Herald.  Haithem graduated in fashion design from the International Academy of Design in Toronto in 1995. While studying in Toronto Haithem worked for Body Body Wear.

Pia Fleming

"I'm inspired by Mughal architecture with its inlay work and by Indian jewelry," says Fleming. " I purchase my fabrics from Italy, Germany, France and India, but I use the crafts and techniques of embroidery which are particular only to India and nobody else in the world can do them. They are the most beautiful embroideries."

Fashion Psychology

“The doctor is in at Fashion Psychology; the new D&G” – Style Magazine, February 2004. Fashion Psychology’s lifestyle is one that appeals to the voice within us all that at one point or another wants to be a star. The design concept is contrast, a direct extension of its two designers Beryl Bacchus and Patrick Larrivee who draw inspiration from glamour vs. the good of the world. The result is a unique look of reworked fabrics combined with hand painted techniques. Just a year old, Fashion Psychology is already selling in Canada, the U.S.A., and Mexico.

Denis Gagnon

Spring/summer 2005 marks designer Denis Gagnon¹s fifth year as one of the most accomplished and talked-about names in the Quebec fashion scene. Iconoclastic, highly inventive, Denis Gagnon brings the edginess of the street to his Œcouture¹ sensibility and hand-made finishes. Welcome to a sparkling new landscapeŠ

Jay Godfrey

Headquartered in New York, Toronto-born Jay Godfrey apprenticed for Oscar de la Renta and studied at Parsons before launching his own signature collection. His work blends luxurious fabrics and embroidery in the tradition of Paris couture with a sensibility of modern American sportswear.

Chris Hewson

A rising star in the Canadian Fashion Industry, Chris Hewson is president and creative director of his own label. Both an artist and a businessperson, he oversees every aspect of CHRIS HEWSON DESIGNS INC. Be on the look out for this young and talented designer.

Paul Hardy

After only two years, the Calgary based designer is rapidly becoming a seasoned professional having shown in N.Y. and Los Angeles. Hardy's trade mark style of layered textures and meticulously deconstructed clothing evokes an intellectual purity that are both edgy and wearable.

Payal Jain

A Summa-cum-laude graduate in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM), San Francisco, U.S.A. In the year 1993 Payal started her own studio in New Delhi, India. A strong foundation in neo-classical aesthetics coupled with an unparalleled standard of perfection in production is the essence of Payal’s designs. Clear silhouettes, innovative fabrics and a wealth of crafts come alive in her creations. She has undoubtedly captured the Indian soul in her classic Western silhouettes. Her designs are a homage to the modern woman. Today, Payal’s ensembles are sold at exclusive outlets around the world and India. Over the years, Payal has successfully pursued her dream of making garments at par with international standards.

Juma

" Our clothes are a different sort of luxury," expresses Alia Juma, part of brother and sister design team ‘JUMA’. Both Alia & Jamil Juma are known for their artisanal attention to detail and sophisticated designs. Since they launched their line, their chic confections have been gaining a quiet following in fashion circles. JUMA collections are season-less. The emphasis is on collectable, not disposable fashion. It is this and the unique balance of racy and subtle; classic meets ultra-modern, creative meets wearable that set these clothes apart. www.juma.ca

Kavi Kavi

Kavi Kavi is derived from the middle names of the twin sisters Dipika Kavita Gupta and Ravika Kavery Gupta. The twins showed interest in fashion at a very young age. Since the age of 7, Head Designer Dipika worked side by side with her mother in sewing and designing. She sported her own creations to school and consequently sold her first pair of pants at the age of 12 to a classmate. Ever since, it has been a dream of Dipika to establish her own Fashion House. To compliment her natural talent, Dipika went to attain technical skills in Fashion Designing at George Brown College, in Toronot. Upon graduation in 2002, Dipika started her own Purse Line, which sold on Queen Street West in Toronto. Ravika pursued a background in Business and later joined forces with Dipika to create Kavi Kavi’s unique Seasonal Lines.

La Vie en Rose

Leading Canadian retailer La Vie en Rose is a Canadian chain of lingerie boutiques offering an extensive line of elegant lingerie and chic swimwear in nearly 100 locations from coast-to-coast. La Vie en Rose employs more than 1300 people across Canada, each an integral contributor to the vitality of the country's fashion industry.

Lubica

Lubica is currently a fashion design student at Ryerson University. She creates one of a kind hand crochet bikinis and summer wear from special yarns that she imports from Europe. Her designs have been featured in NYC’s XXL magazine, Peace magazine, Cocoa magazine, Eye newspaper and she was featured as a designer of the month by BnBlunt.com magazine. Her 2004 fashion show at the Distillery District officially introduced Lubica to the Toronto fashion scene. www.lubica.com

Pat McDonagh

Irish born Pat McDonagh first made her mark on the Canadian Fashion Scene during the initial explosion of the boutique phenomena during the 60’s and is regarded as one of the most creative designers in Canada today. Educated in England and Paris, Pat had designed costumes for celebrity personalities including, Diana Rigg in the Avenger series, The Beatles, HRH the late Diana Princess of Wales, actress Deborah Kara Unger (Crash, The Game), actress Maria Del Mar (Blue Murder) and most recently actress Wendy Crewson (Air Force One, Corrinna Corrinna). Pat McDonagh is an award winning dynamic designer who is always a step ahead of the pack, yet never so far ahead that we lose touch with her. Her designs are youthfully Avant-garde; yet retain an earthy, classic feel, often tinged with romanticism.

Arthur Mendonca

Born in 1976, Arthur Mendonça grew up in Portugal. A Ryerson graduate, he apprenticed at a NYC design firm. His label was launched in 2002. He has been named “a rising star” by Vogue and “one to watch” by Elle.

Renata Morales/ Morales

Born in Mexico and based out of Montreal, Renata Morales' hand-crafted collection continues to reflect mix of imaginative inspirations, handled with great attention to detail and impeccable tailoring skill . Feminine, without being too sweet, the Morales collection takes classic silhouettes and deconstructs them, imparting them with a rebellious spirit. Whimsically pairing rich textures with meticulous embroidery, hand-knit detailing, laser-cuts and patches, the result is a luxurious collection that is ultimately powerful, elegant and contemporary...

Shelli Oh

The Harebell line of clothing has become synonymous with the words feminine, ethereal, and delicate. Oh’s distinctive style has been described as ‘quintessentially feminine’, offering a line of clothing that has touched the hearts of women across North America.

Parasuco

Renowned for fashion forward style, Parasuco has grown to become a recognizable brand name worldwide through its unique fabric finishes and leading-edge designs.  Parasuco’s strength and success lies in its ability to know what today’s consumers want - merchandise that combines innovative styling, high quality, phenomenal fit and excellent value. 

Eryn Reid

Why Walk When You Can Fly? Since 2001, Eryn Reid’s edgy, flirtatious and infectious fashion-forward clothing for men and women have kick-started wardrobes and runways everywhere. Reid holds her breath and dives deep in fashion and in life, and she’s caught the attention of fashion notables and media alike, enjoying extensive coverage celebrating her unique not-for-the-faint-of-heart designs, which celebrate fantasy and fun with liberal doses of wit. Glamour divas, cut jocks, somber bankers and rock stars alike are addicted to Reid’s funky creations, which easily marry the classics. As one client put it: “When I put on Eryn Reid, I know I’m going to have a good time.” Her aspiration is to dress everyone from Madonna to Johnny Depp. Stay tuned. Eryn Reid is here for the whole party – and what a bash it will be.

Angelena Satdeo

Vancouver design brain child Angelena Satdeo made her first runway appearance in January 2002. Glamorous, reworked and vivid, Satdeo’s line has been featured in Flare New York Times and fashion Magazine. This Guyana born creative, loves to flirt with colours textures and sleek modern lines. While maintaining the integrity of classic femininity, Satdeo clearly manages to consistently move fashion forward.

ANDY THÊ-ANH