user

Style upgraded: Alexandra Serban

Style Upgraded: When Human Hands & AI Pixels Converge Alexandra Serban Meet Alexandra Serban, one of FORWARD’s Cover Challenge winners from Romania. A recruiter by day, Alexandra’s heart belongs to the intersection of art, fashion, and technology. Many found solace in different things during the pandemic: baking bread, nurturing plants or merely hoping for a return to normalcy. Alexandra? She found freedom in her paintbrush by doodling and painting on clothing. It was here, in this unique cocoon of creativity, …

Read More

The ABOA Collective

In the Fabric of Dreams: The Story of Amanda and The ABOA Collective All Images Courtesy of Amanda S. Narain Photography by Jim Orgill In a world where fashion often treads a predictable path, The ABOA Collective emerges as a vibrant splash of originality, not just for their designs but for the stories they tell. Blending art, fashion, and decor is Toronto-based Visual Artist/ Fashion Designer/ Interior Decorator Amanda S. Narain, whose journey into fashion is as unique as the …

Read More

Nikki Gal: A Journey from High Fashion to the Heart of Change

Nikki Gal: A Journey from High Fashion to the Heart of Change All Images Courtesy of Nikki Gal | Photography by Angelina Robertson In the dynamic world of fashion, where the transient becomes iconic, and the iconic swiftly becomes forgotten, few stories resonate as deeply and diversely as Nikki Gal’s. Her journey from the glittering glamour of high fashion to the intricate digital landscapes of art and the challenging terrains of entrepreneurship is a story of transformation, passion, purpose, and …

Read More

Crafting Confidence Sandy Bottom Swimwear

Crafting Confidence: The Bold Journey of Sandy Bottom Swimwear All Images Courtesy of Sandy Bottom Swimwear | Photography by AJIA RAMBALLY In an industry where change is as constant as the tides, Sandy Bottom Swimwear stands out like the sun-drenched horizon of St. Lucia—enduring beauty, cultural richness, and the power of aspirations. Inspired by founders’ St. Lucian roots and brought to life through the expert craftsmanship of Italian artisans, this brand is more than just swimwear – it’s a celebration …

Read More

The Remarkable Rise Joshua Pasquale

The Remarkable Rise of Fashion’s Unexpected Star All Images Courtesy of Joshua Pasquale Josh Pasquale wearing Straight jacket couture with upcycled Victorian era shirt and anti-paparazzi sleeves | Designed by Emma Gilles | Vivien Sophie | Styled by Josh Pasquale Craft, Collaboration, and Canadian Roots Canadian fall is a palette of myriad colours, each leaf telling a story of transformation. Pasquale’s journey mirrored this sentiment. He shares that deeply rooted in the Canadian ethos, “Canada’s diversity has always deeply impacted …

Read More

A Decade of Startup Fashion Week Triumphs

When Passion Paves the Runway: A Decade of Startup Fashion Week Triumphs ​ All Images Courtesy of SFW While Toronto City’s skyline has been steadily transforming, one change that has remained beautifully consistent over the past decade is the vibrant pulse of Startup Fashion Week™ (SFW)—SFW’s passionate drive to spotlight those young designers fueled with creativity but remained overshadowed by the big, high-profile brands.Ten glorious years! That’s how long SFW has been weaving dreams, knocking down industry walls, and giving …

Read More

Joseph Tassoni: Passion, Purpose, and Pride

Joseph Tassoni Passion. Purpose. Pride All Images by George Pimentel, Courtesy of Joseph Tassoni JOSEPH TASSONI  N estled among the calm serenity of Burlington’s landscape, there’s a stir of vibrancy and inspiration—Joseph Tassoni. He is a man whose story seamlessly stitches the threads of artistic expression with an unwavering sense of purpose and belonging. Let’s travel back to a poignant snapshot from Tassoni’s past: a five-and-a-half-year-old Joseph wielding Crayola scissors, reshaping his mother’s curtains into outfits for his sisters. From …

Read More

Mave & Chez is revolutionizing Women’s Slippers

Stepping into a Legacy: Mave & Chez is Pioneering the Evolution of Women’s Slippers With a rich heritage and an audacious dream, Mave & Chez is redefining the narrative of women’s slippers. All Images courtesy of Mave & Chez In a world of fast fashion and fleeting trends, Mave & Chez is a breath of fresh air, carving out a niche in footwear with its stylish, comfortable, and sustainable slippers. Pushing past the traditional confines of fashion and comfort, presenting …

Read More

The Mave & Chez Launch Experience

The Mave & Chez Launch Experience Image credits: RYAN EMBERLEY Mave & Chez founders, Victoria Marshman and Dani Kagan In the heart of Toronto, the grandeur of Hotel X vibrated with eager anticipation on an electric May evening. Mave & Chez, a local Canadian label, stood poised to unveil their House Flats™, an intriguing mélange of fashion and comfort for the homebound sophisticate. This was no mere product launch but a veritable Sip & Shop Party, engineered alongside the Conceptual …

Read More

Canadian Indigenous Designers at WHITE Milano

From the Margins to the Mainstream Canadian Indigenous Designers Make Their Mark at WHITE Milano All Images Courtesy of Indigenous Fashion Arts (IFA) Lesley Hampton Justin Louis Niio Perkins Evan Ducharme Erica Donovan Robyn McLeod Six Indigenous Canadian designers take centre at WHITE Milano, Italy’s largest concept tradeshow during Milan Fashion Week, from Feb. 24 to 27.This is the first time Indigenous designers have presented at the show representing a significant step towards greater inclusion and recognition of Indigenous fashion. …

Read More

INSTAGRAM

✨ Startup Fashion Week Takes Centre Stage in Toronto! ✨ What an unforgettable week celebrating Canada's emerging fashion talents at the 11th annual Startup Fashion Week! 🇨🇦👗 From a life-sized elephant making a grand entrance down the runway 🐘 to stunning collections by a diverse group of rising Canadian brands, the "Balancing Act" theme truly…
Terri-Lynne Rade, founder of @hareandroseproducts, discusses "The Emotional Journey of Building her sustainable brand." As Hare & Rose prepares for its anticipated runway debut at @startupfashionweek in Toronto this October, Rade shares the reality of building a brand in an industry where passion is just the starting point—and where understanding key elements of the business…
✨ From nuclear physics to the fashion runway! ✨ We're thrilled to announce that @kolyetjn, the innovative Winnipeg-based brand, is making its Toronto debut at this year's Startup Fashion Week! 🎉 Founded by the visionary Tijen Roshko——a nuclear physicist turned designer—Kolye TJN is redefining accessory fashion. Their gender-neutral pieces blend art and function, crafted from…
We are thrilled to announce that @forwardfashiontoronto is the official media sponsor of @startupfashionweek 2024, returning October 21-25 in Toronto for year 11! As a leading voice in fashion journalism, we're excited to bring you exclusive access to the runway shows, behind-the-scenes moments, and in-depth interviews with the industry's most influential designers. Join us as…
Our Timeless Transitions—Exploring Fashion's Historical Legacy and Contemporary Innovations through AI Artistry" is now available. Timeless Transitions brings you 270 pages of diverse voices coming together, from seasoned fashion experts to pioneering AI artists, each offering a unique perspective on Fashion's evolution. Tracing Fashion's journey and reimagining classic designs through contemporary technology, our imaginative creators'…
FROM BARN TO BOUTIQUE: Equestrian Style by @oakbarkandchrome Horse enthusiasts with a flair for fashion merge their passion for equestrian life with cutting-edge design. The founders @athens.leone and Roxanne Rabalais @roxxxy share with FORWARD how their equestrian lifestyle influences their brand, which is created to share the value of a life lived in the saddle…
Waves of Elegance: The Lauren Bentley Swimwear Experience Dive into the essence of luxury with #laurenbentleyswimwear. Where timeless elegance meets modern sophistication, each piece tells a story of meticulous craftsmanship, sustainable luxury, and a journey of passion. Experience the allure of swimwear designed for the discerning, where every detail speaks of quality and timeless beauty.…
INNOVATION MEETS TRADITION: Highlights from the Digital Couture Summit MFW FW’24-25 FORWARD Fashion Toronto is excited to spotlight the success of the Digital Couture Summit, which returned for the second year and was led by fashion luminary Nikita Cikaluk and sustainable design pioneer Olska Green. In a world where physical and digital realms increasingly merge,…
🌟 Empowerment in Motion 🌟 Happy International Women's Day! FORWARDAI brings "Empowerment in Motion—" A dynamic series that goes beyond traditional boundaries, capturing the essence of movement and liberation through avant-garde fashion. It's a movement, a bold statement on the fluidity of empowerment and the breaking of traditional gender norms. Each action-packed shot tells a…
CANADA'S FIRST BEE VENOM FACIAL— Gianna Ugolini's @gianna_gcandco Visionary Approach to Beauty brings Canada's first BEE VENOM FACIAL "The rarity of the ingredients of the Bee Venom Facial, with only 600 jars produced annually, makes this treatment as exclusive as effective." Read the whole story to be on the coveted list! Link on our Bio.…
DIGITAL COUTURE SUMMIT to Connect Luxury Houses with Digital Couture at Milan Fashion Week FW’24/25. We are excited to share that we have proudly joined as a leading media partner for the much-anticipated Digital Couture Summit—organized by Olska Green @ecoolska_official and Nikita Cikaluk @cikaluk_n The invite-only event scheduled for February 21st, 2024, at the trendy…
“What is that one essential travel piece?” look no further than — THE VACAY SHIRT! Conceived by Whitney Westwood @whitney_linen and brought to fruition with the stylistic insights of Kim Appelt @stylebykimxo, this multifunctional garment is an absolute essential! Read the full story to discover how the duo created the ultimate travel piece that transitions…