Toronto's World MasterCard Fashion Week may have just ended, but insiders' sights are already set on the upcoming
Fashion Art Toronto(FAT), an alternative fashion and art week that runs from April 23-27.
It is there Ryerson fashion professor Henry Navarro will debut his "Grey Cincinnati" collection to challenge stereotypes against black fashion's role in high fashion. As reported in the National Post, much of black fashion was previously considered "urban wear," but African-American designers such as Eki Orleans, Ozwald Boateng and Vlisco have transcended stereotypes to becomes standouts on the runway. The models will wear grey "futuristic" garments to symbolize "how beautifully humanity can prosper when not partitioned by colour."
"Toronto is a very diverse city, and I am under the impression that people will think that they are not racist because of that," Navarro told the Post. “But I would like to challenge those notions and at the same time expose people to a different perspective or a different way of dealing with race."
The collection will move on to the inaugural Black Fashion Week taking place in Montreal from May 15-17. Adama Ndiaye, founder of Adama Paris Fashion Events and organizer of the Black Fashion Week in Paris, decided to "spread her vision of revealing 'the cultural richness of the black diaspora'" by bringing the festival to Montreal.
It will feature creations by 15 prominent international African designers, including Canada's own Joseph Helmer. It is hoped that Black Fashion Week will provide exposure to an underrepresented and under supported segment of high fashion.
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Original source: National Post