TOM* makes a roaring return to the runway

Feb 26, 2015 | Arts, Life

By HumberNews

 

Photo Credit: ramp1885.com

Photo Credit: ramp1885.com

By Rebecca Hamill-Nobrega

Toronto Men’s Fashion Week, or TOM*, began for the second year this Monday and runs through to Friday. It’s a celebration that embraces Canadian menswear brands and designs, directed and founded by Jeff Rustia.

The Runway shows began on Wednesday with the catwalk set up at College Park, and goes for three nights until the grand finale on Friday, which features Toronto fashion icon Christopher Bates.

Bates’ clothing line launched last year and is now featured in upscale retailer Holt Renfrew.

“TOM* is the perfect way to put Canadian Men’s fashion on the map and is an incredible opportunity for the local designers to pull inspiration from this week,” said Kyla Isabel, blogger for Runaway & Rose. “Lately there’s such a correlation between women and men’s fashion in regards to androgyny and the way the clothing is cut and styled. For fashion blogger’s and fashionista’s alike, TOM*’s is going to provide plenty of styling ideas for 2015.”

Tickets can be purchased to TOM* here.

Day one of TOM* Fall/Winter 2015:

Menswear designers included Keniya-X, Kollar Clothing, Andrew Coimbr, Just Ta by Alan Ta, Garrison Bespoke and Joao Paulo Guedes.

And the crowd goes wild for @joaopauloguedes1. A standing ovation was clearly in order. #TOMFW15 #TOMFWDAY1 #kickoff #joaopauloguedes

A photo posted by Toronto Men’s Fashion Week (@tom_fw) on

A round of applause for @justtadesigns. #tomfw15 #TOMDAY1 #kickoff #justta

A video posted by Toronto Men’s Fashion Week (@tom_fw) on

 

Christopher Bates featured in TOM* 2015 finale

Bates trained in Milan at the legendary Istituto Marangoni, an Italian school of fashion and design, and is a bold Canadian menswear designer. Rachel Olson, a Humber College graduate from the Fashion Arts program, is working closely with Christopher Bates for this years Toronto’s Men fashion week.

“His clothing style evolves from classic tailoring, stylish fabrics/trims, custom prints, detailing and a variety of colour palettes”, said Olson.

So far, Olson has assisted Bates with two fashion shows and another one to come.  Bates’ line focuses on smart-casual evening and weekend clothing pieces, said Olson.

“He makes simple pieces that can be used for mixing and matching”, she said.

Here’s a look at Bates’ showcase at TOM*2014 to provide a taste of what’s to come. 

 

An exclusive interview was done by TOM* with Bates to discuss his inspirations, creativity and new collection.