Mercedes-Benz Start up Final

Five designers were showcased. The winner is awarded additional mentoring, an editorial feature in FASHION magazine and their very own, fully-produced runway show for Fall 2012. Judges and Mentors for the event included Joanne Caza (Communications and PR at Mercedez- Benz), Jarrad Clark (Production Director at IMG Fashion), Shawn Hewson (Co-founder and Director at Bustle clothing), Robin Kay (President of Fashion Design council of Canada), Bernadette Morra (editor-and-chief at FASHION magazine), Robert Ott (Chair of the School of Fashion at Ryerson University) and Jessica Stam (If you don’t know who she is…. Google).

What each designer showcased…

Unttld Photo Credit - Peter J. Thompson / National Post

Unttld – Womenswear. Modern clothing. luxury pieces. They showed many draped black and white pieces. A special piece that caught my eye was a black dress that to the ankles made from a distressed knit beginning at mid-thigh to the ankles, sheer enough to expose the legs. It looked unique and chic.

Triarchy – Both men and womenswear. Showed lots of skin using cropped and backless tops. Excessive use of denim and neutral-coloured pieces. He tried to incorporate old-world denim in a ‘new’ way. Jean pants, skirts, shirts, and dresses were everywhere.

Cassie Dee photo credit - Peter J. Thompson / National Post

Cassie Dee- Casual simple everyday wear for women. The clothes were very conservative. Skirt/dress length was to the knee. In introduction video, CD described the show as “country details, which are functional.” The clothes were a mix of neutral colours (white, army green and pops of coral solids and patterns).

Mostly dresses, structured jackets and pants.

Travis Taddeo – Current, trendy, young clothes. His inspiration was a couple walking through the desert. He described his line as “street-wear meets luxury.” He also used neutrals with a focus on a beautiful peach tone. Lots of sheer – scandalous! Key pieces that caught my eye was a beautiful neutral feather fabric. It was used as a skirt on a woman and as a vest on a man. To end the show was a strapless dress made entirely of the feathers. Sexy.

Martin Lim - Photo Credit: J. Thompson / National Post

Martin Lim – Womens wear. 60s vibe, silk robes. Original clothing. Use of deep pink, steel blue, and beige. Very flowy pieces. Lots of dresses, evening wear.. All pieces were very sheer. Mostly silk and chiffon.

Jessica Stam announced the winner of the event: Martin Lim!

Photo Credit – Peter J. Thompson / National Post