Designer Rachel Sin - Image Courtesy of World MasterCard Fashion Week

I will admit, it’s hard not to get excited about the styles we’ve been seeing for Spring 2013 on the runways in New York, Paris, and Milan. But here at Plum, we’re more interested in what our fellow Canadian designers are up to. So, we collaborated with a local blogger to have her cover the recent Toronto Fashion Week for us!

Five days of shows later and she assures us it was a “great display of Canadian talent.” One of the standout shows of the week was a presentation by Canadian architect turned designer (/coolest woman ever), Rachel Sin. Raj Thandhi, our eyes and ears on the scene, gave us a rundown on what made her presentation so exceptional.

“These pieces were very wearable by everyday women and she had looks that would take you from the office to date night with just a few accessories. One of the only designers to show clean silhouettes in bold colours, she incorporated coral, blue, beige, and black into her line. In fact, when Rachel’s cobalt dresses were coming down the runway, I kept thinking of this blue sheath designed by our own Claudia Agusti and currently available in store.”

Toronto Fashion Week featured several Vancouver designers as well, including a home-grown North Van woman, Patty Nayal of Pure Magnolia bridal. Her unique and sustainably-made gowns are an absolute must-see. Seeing talent like hers makes us even prouder to be designing in the Vancouver fashion scene!

Raj also attended Toronto’s 2012 Design Start-up Competition. She describes it as an initiative that:

“provides a national platform to discover and support emerging Canadian designers that have been in business for less than five years. Winners of the competition receive mentorship from industry professionals, exposure, and much needed funding. To find these talented designers and to ensure a nationwide effort, searches were held in Edmonton, Halifax, Quebec City, and Ottawa. Each designer had to show a mini-collection, present a business plan, and pitch to a panel of experts before making it to the big tent in Toronto.”

The big winner? Montreal-based DUY. Raj described Duy Nguyen’s line as being “ready to wear, featuring very flowy fabrics like chiffon, crepe, and cotton for Spring 2013.” You can see all of his designs by clicking here.

DUY - Image Courtesy of World MasterCard Fashion Week

While I am completely green with envy of everything that Raj got to see at Toronto Fashion Week, it certainly sounds like a lot of work to cover an event like that. After completing her wrap up for us, she joked “It’s time to put my stilettos away until next season and give my feet a well-deserved break.”

We completely agree!

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Picture this: you're a qualified and eager potential employee looking for work, but you've been out of the workforce for some time, maybe even years. You need suitabe interview attire, but perhaps don't have anything appropriate or the means to go out and buy something new. This is the reality for many women in Greater Vancouver. Plum, together with Dress for Success, is eager to help these women.

Dress for Success is an organization that promotes "the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life." 

Today until November 11, 2012, all Lower Mainland Plum locations will be accepting donations of interview-appropriate clothing in support of Dress for Success Vancouver. Donations can be dropped off at our South Granville, Kitsilano, North Vancouver, Richmond, White Rock, Langley, or Coquitlam locations. For our store hours and locations, click here. Donations can also be taken directly to Dress for Success; check below for complete details.

Donations can also be taken directly to Dress for Success. I've copied the main donation deets here for you.

"We gratefully accept donations of suits and other business wear (no more than 3 years old) - cleaned and on hangers. Our clients may need to wear their outfit to an interview the next day, so clean, current, stylish clothing is important!...Our test is whether or not you the donor would feel proud having one of our clients wear the suit to an interview.

We are also grateful for donations of handbags, footwear, outerwear and unopened toiletries and pantyhose/knee highs. 

Out of respect for our volunteers' time and our clients' needs, we cannot accept:

• casual clothing
• evening wear
• items older than three years in vintage
• items in need of repair or cleaning.

Drop off hours - you are able to bring the donations up to our facility:

• Monday through Friday 9:30 AM until 3:30 PM
• Saturdays 10 AM until 11:30 AM
• Please note that we will be closed for drop offs on Saturday March, 10, 2012.

Please call ahead for access instructions. 604.408.7923"

You can check out the Dress For Success Vancouver website here

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Tunic Dress in Red (pictured) and Purple, $89

At Plum, you know we take the fit of our garments seriously very seriously. Our designer works one-on-one with a size 8 fit model to craft designs that fit. For more information, you can watch our design process by clicking this link. We're taking a stance against fast fashion.

Fast fashion is another way of referring to disposable fashion. These items are manufactured quickly and cheaply, usually with the emphasis on ultra-trendy pieces and not on quality. They simply cannot do for you what an expertly tailored garment can in terms of fit. 

3/4 Sleeve Dress, in Jade (pictured) and Coral, $98

So why settle for less when you know you deserve better? A better fit and a better consultant to help find the right look for you. That's what you can expect at Plum, no matter what your style is.

Lace Dress with 3/4 Sleeves, in Teal (pictured), Black, and Burnt Orange, $129

Proper fitting garments is key to achieving your overall look. What is your favourite fit? Personally, I'm a natural waistline dress (like the lace dress above) kinda gal.

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