FAT Toronto ON, April 23 - At Toronto’s Arts and Fashion Week known as FAT, Dianna DiNoble’s Ballerina Biker themed Starkers Corsetry 2013 collection might have seemed to be quite at contrast. But the way DiNoble blended the delicate pink tulle and harsh black leather was not unlike watching two dancers in perfect harmony. The models danced, glided, or pivoted down the runway showcasing ten solid looks ranging from satin and silks, to tulle and leather. There were shrugs, gloves, leggings, corsets, underbusts and overbusts, kimono style dresses, and pants. There was ruffles, fringe, soft flowing fabrics, and silk pulled tightly to the body. The final ballgown incorporated all the colors of the previous looks. Its skirt was a fall of fabric ranging from black to pink, and light pinks and cream to white at the bottom. It was hugged by a black open front over skirt and black leather underbust corset with a black lace sleeveless top. The silk black opera gloves and simple makeup and ballerina bun style hair was perfectly styled for maxim effect.

photos : Ian Compton

- Tasha Farrington

featuring designs by  Starkers Corsetry, Veruca Cyn Clothing, Dyrstropolis, Haphazard Clothing, and more

AUXILIARY ONLINE CONTENT
[ additional images not seen in the February/March 2012 Issue ]

view the full editorial in the February/March 2012 Issue

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

Starkers by Dianna DiNoble

The theatrics, performance, and drama of previous collections shown at FAT were missing from the Starkers by Dianna DiNoble show on the fourth day of FAT 2011.  In its place were amazing corsets shown with sophisticated, empowered simplicity.  Designer Dianna DiNoble made a good choice in keeping the presentation simple for this collection (although previous FAT r shows were imaginative and tons of fun) to let the designs really shine.  These are the new must have corset designs.  Shown in a well chosen plate of red, grey, and matte black with just enough styling to showcase the ensemble options for these beautiful corsets.  Worth particular note is the scalloped bottom black corset, lower left, just breathtaking.

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Toronto ON, April 26-29 - [FAT] or Toronto Alternative Fashion Week is coming up and the schedule was just released last week.  This is a great event to see some of Toronto’s best alternative fashion designers show their lines on a runway.  In addition to the fashion there are performances, photography and videos on display, and installation art set up in the dressing rooms backstage at the venue. This year [FAT] will take place at 99 Sudbury and advance tickets are $25 for a day pass and $70 for a week pass.

Some of the alternative fashion designers showing this year…

April 26th
Asphyxia – The dark creations of designer Alexandra De Francesco.

April 28th
Dystropolis - Futuristic cyberwear, showing their new collection “Apocalypse of Black Venom”.

April 29th
Toxic Vision – What heavy metal looks like in garment form.
Dianna DiNoble, Starkers Corsetry – Beautiful custom corsets.
Pippa - Bold, colorful latex.
Fashion Whore - Fun and playful clothing to make a statement.

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featuring designs by Betty Monroe, Ego Assassin, Karen von Oppen for KvO Designs, Purrfect Pineapples Lingerie, Starkers, Veruca Cyn, and more

photographer : Stephanie Bell
creative director : Pretty Deadly Stylz
fashion stylist : Pretty Deadly Stylz
makeup artist : Ainsley Graham
hair stylist : Jenny Bell for W.A.C Hair Group
models : Cait M and Layna Brett

view the full editorial in the February/March 2011 Issue

Toronto’s alternative fashion week, FAT is a unique series of runway shows of the recent collections of alternative designers mostly from the Toronto area.  Some of the designers featuring being alternative in that they are within the goth/industrial/fetish/whathaveyou scene and others being alternative in that they are small, independent designers often with more of an artistic, creative, or environmental focus. Toronto in my opinion has one of the best alternative fashion scenes.  Smaller and niche designers often get lost in the fashion industry sea of NYC, I think it’s hard for them to stay a float there.  But Toronto seems to be the perfect environment for them.  It is refreshing to see runway shows of alternative designers out of a club setting (which is often the only venue for them) and with the consideration of showing off a collection or definitive creative idea.  There were some impressive collections at FAT this year.

Starkers by Dianna DiNoble

Showing on the second evening with the theme of “Lust”, Starkers presented their beautiful corsets fully styled into complete ensembles.  The collection was sophisticated and elegant, and in line with current fashion trends by mixing different textures and materials in mostly black.  It was a collection to be worn to an night out at the opera, with an opera singer performing at the end of the runway setting the tone.  My favorite feature of the styling was the bold red eyebrows (seen in the images on the right).

photos : Billy Archos

- Jennifer Link