CTV and FashionTelevision Present L'Oreal FashionWeek.

Class Act: Fanshawe College

Canadian up-and-comers are the lifeblood of L’Oréal Fashion Week. Nowhere is that more evident than in the lineup of young talents included in this season’s Fanshawe College’s runway show.

“All our students want to become designers. But the fashion industry is tough. It takes a lot to make it – in fact, far more than some of our first year students might realize,” says Leigh-Ann Waller, the program coordinator of Fanshawe College’s fashion design program.

From gladiator influences to quirky princess flavour, this season’s exhibiting designers span the gamut in tastes. But these fledgling talents would not even be seen at L’Oréal Fashion Week if it weren’t for a volunteer program Waller initiated five years ago.

“We try to give our students every opportunity to go out into the industry and find employment. But being in London, Ont., not Toronto, is a bit of a disadvantage,” says Waller, who joined Fanshawe College eight years ago.

To expose students to a wider industry circle Waller had her charges volunteer at L’Oréal Fashion Week. Soon afterwards Waller came up with idea of having Fanshawe’s best graduates take part in a small runway show during fashion week.

“We worked diligently with the Fashion Design Council to make this happen,” says Waller. In fact, the participating designers were personally selected by Robin Kay, president of the Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC) - the non-profit organization that produces the event.

“Robin was looking for something unique from our students,” says Waller. “The designers she chose have created wearable clothes in their collections. But they all have that ‘it’ factor. Robin just knows it.”

It’s a confidence boost that has long-term impact on Fanshawe’s graduates, says Waller.

“I have tracked all the designers who have shown at fashion week in the past. We don’t see them in the limelight at the moment. But one thing I have noticed is that those students are elevated in their confidence,” says Waller. “That gives them the edge they need to go out into the industry and get a job.”

As Waller says, “All those students who have shown at L’Oréal Fashion Week are in the industry now and are working on plans to have their own label and their own store.”

THIS SEASON’S NAMES TO KNOW:

BRIAN MARISTELA
The collection: “Greco Romani”
The look: Roman military meets eveningwear
Key spring trends: Sleek and sexy silhouettes, leather accents in breast cups and unusual mixes of leather and chiffon.
Designer philosophy: “I want to design clothes that are edgy and still sexy and stylish and make women feel they’re empowered,” says Maristela.
Top of the class: Maristela’s strength, says Waller, is in his ability to marry art and history in a way that makes sense to contemporary consumers. As Waller says, “Brian has taken his inspiration from history and architecture and created a very dramatic eveningwear collection that’s totally wearable.”

KAT PALMER
The collection: “Sahara Attitude”
The look: Desert Storm meets Manhattan
Key spring trends: Loads of white, a monochromatic palette of beiges, double-pained vinyl filled with decorative rocks and sand and caped accessories.
Designer philosophy: “My collection has this ’80s fighter pilot attitude that combines military and Middle Eastern influences. The attitude is reserved, serious and yet still funky and fun,” says Kat Palmer.
Top of the class: “Kat’s collection is very avant-garde,” says Waller. Geared to urban hipsters who want something different, Waller says, “The colours are beautiful and the clear plastic twists are very fresh.”

ASHLEY PAQUETE
The collection: “Captive Existence”
The look: Nature meets runway glam
Key spring trends: Asymmetrical shapes, ruffles, oversized flowers and bows, watercolour prints, bright colours and muted nudes.
Designer philosophy: “My collection began with the drive home from London to Cambridge,” says Ashley Paquete. “The wild flowers, butterflies, clouds and colours inspired me as did my research into pleating and origami.”
Top of the class: “Ashley’s work is just plain beautiful,” says Waller. Calling her ultra-feminine collection a strong draw for contemporary customers, Waller says, “The gorgeous fabrics, the ruffles, the beautiful colours…You just want to wear every piece.”

LEANNE WHITE
The collection: “Princess Quirky”
The look: Japanese girl with a twist
Key spring trends: Circle skirts, corset tops
Designer philosophy: “I’m inspired a little by Japanese fashion,” says Leanne White. Her spring collection is filled with “cute, innocent things that you don't see very often.”
Top of the class: With her vivid imagery and costume designer flair, Waller pegs White’s collection as a winner with younger fashionistas. As Waller says, “Leanne has given that Japanese girly look a more wearable twist for the younger consumer. I think that niche audience will love her work.”

JESSICA ETERNO
The collection: “Ethnic Fusion”
The look: Western chic gets a shot of Indian flair
Key spring trends: Natural-coloured linens and bold silks, harem pants, structured tops and pleats.
Designer philosophy: “I used a lot of bright colours balanced by neutrals. But my inspiration comes from the various elements of different world cultures,” says Jessica Eterno.
Top of the class: “The strong ethnic influences in Jessica’s work make the collection very appealing to contemporary consumers,” says Waller. “It’s funny. We had 11 Indian students join our program. None made it to fashion week. But their culture influenced Jessica’s work in a big way.”

By Constance Droganes, CTV.ca