The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Dystropolis

Wendy Ng showed a new Dystropolis collection on the third day of FAT.  Having just started Dystropolis in 2009, it is still developing, as this year’s FAT collection was much more refined and polished than the collection Ng showed at FAT in 2010.  It seems it has a little more ways to go, yet the collection is full of strong pieces and the structured shoulders with zipper texturizing seen throughout are very nice.  Vision, concept, and awareness are factors in this collection named “Apocalypse of Black Venom” which honours the wildlife impacted by the 2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill.  A promising new designer for sophisticated cyber-wear.

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The runway shows at FAT, Toronto’s alternative fashion week.

Anastasia Lomonova

Models walked down the runway as sleek and slinking mummies wrapped in transparent gaze bandages from head to toe.  The designs of Anastasia Lomonova were a new find for me on the third day of FAT.  The treatment of the models that showcased the collection made it instantly stand out and one could appreciate the perfect simplicity of the clothing.  Tunics, wraps, draping, and volume, these are the utilitarian garments for our future of bio-domes and space stations.  Complete with bodysuit skins to protect us from the elements when we venture out.

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The designer duo known as Rag & Bone put their fall 2011 women’s collection down the runway at NY fashion week. Technically the first thing that comes to mind when I see this collection is it’s paneling. I know it’s very anti-climatic to most, but not to me. This is an art that has been meticulously curated by many and mastered by few. Paneling is the trend that has really captured me intently in the last year. It is difficult to find garments that achieve it in a way that is both chic and flattering, not to mention unique. It can very easily end up looking like retro color blocking or worse like patchwork.  Rag & Bone seem to have inspired themselves and their viewers to look at the very shapes themselves within the garment from without. Arranging balance through contrasting weights in fabric, as well as size in the shapes and panels creates a very tasteful asymmetrical balance.

Esoterically this collection reads to me as though there were an emphasis on the strength of the female essence, utilizing the influence of earthy Native American tribes to Scottish warriors. I also felt a very worldly region based almost patriotic feel, like they took every culture’s essence and turned their designs into mini futuristic tribal tributes to each.

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Cyberdog’s Mens Pyjamas Bottom

image source cyberdog.net

I’ve always been in awe of Cyberdog’s glorious designs that range from elaborate futuristic chic to space-age and bubbly. The Mens Pyjamas Bottom in the pinstripe cyber print are exactly what I would expect from Cyberdog; comfy, kitschy, and rave-tastical! I really love the logo on the waistband paired with the music wave graphic in neon green, really fun! There are plenty of ugly men’s pj bottoms out there with only a few choices of either silly cartoon characters, fish, boats, and blue plaid (yuck!). Buy these for yourself or your boyfriend because they don’t suck! Yay!

The Mens Pyjamas Bottom is available at www.cyberdog.net.

- Meagan

Cryoflesh’s Metropolis Shrug

image source cryoflesh.com

Futuristic fashion is something that has creeped more and more into the goth scene, thus evolving into the fashion term “cybergoth”.  The Metropolis Shrug by Cryoflesh is not the normal type of clothing that would catch my eye yet this piece really has many amazing elements all in one jacket. Highlights of the design are the piping details on the sleeves, the criss-cross harness on the back, and black and neon green coloring. The key to wearing this piece is making sure it’s the main focus of your whole ensemble and playing down everything else. Pair the Metropolis Shrug with a short black dress, very minimal accessories, and play up your boots if you’re feeling extra cyber-y. Kinetik’s around the corner so, make a statement with this truly unique piece of clothing!

The Metropolis Shrug is available online at www.cryoflesh.com.

- Meagan