A little while back, I was invited to attend the Art of Fashion design competition during Nuit Blanche (yes yes I’m behind on posting this, I know, I know). The annual competition gives 10 up-and-coming Canadian designers the chance to showcase six unique garments interpreting the show’s theme, La Belle Epoque, with the opportunity to win cash prizes and gain valuable industry exposure. The judging panel, which included Sarah Casselman from FASHION Magazine, Farley Chatto from FGI, and David Clemmer from Judy Inc, will select the show’s “Most Promising Designer”, while guests and shoppers will cast their votes for “Best Exhibit” at the accompanying trunk show, where they will also have the opportunity to purchase unique and Canadian-made couture fashion and accessories.
“Art of Fashion’s annual design competition offers a unique opportunity for up-and-coming Canadian designers, who don’t have the kind of support that is available to designers in American and European fashion capitals,” says the organization’s founder, Michelle Planche. “Besides the ten finalists who participate in the design competition, the trunk show features up to twenty additional designers, and gives the public a chance to pick up exclusive apparel and accessories.”
The ten finalists were:
- Georgia Varelas
- Mark Aguilar
- Fuy-Na Tse
- Corinne Monique
- Natalia Cuervo
- Stefania Ayoub
- Julianna Carlucci
- Amber Watkins
- Rebecca Milward
- Stephanie Mahseredjian
I ran into the winner of last year’s competition and Ottawa native Mikhail (or Misha as I know him) Moudrakovski who is currently completing his fashion design degree at Ryerson University. Good to know an Ottawa native has gone on to win this competition!
Ottawa Street Style 