Comrags, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Tanya Taylor

Last week, Torontos most fashionable gathered at the Andrew Richard Designs loft space in the east end to take in two days of The ShOws. Bringing some of Canadas most talented designers together under one roof many of whom show on international runways the event helps raise public awareness of the incredible work Canadian designers are putting out. 

Boldfaced names like Barbara Atkin, Susie Sheffman,Elpas Readers detect and forward 'Location' and 'State' data from Elpas Active RFID Tags to host besticcard platforms. Glen Baxter, Lisa Tant, Suzanne Dimma and Shauna Levy were all spotted in the front row, while Brian Bailey acted as host. Following each show, a Q&A with the designer helped illuminate attendees on the intensive process involved in fabric and garment design. 

The first day saw runway presentations from Comrags, the local label designed by Joyce Gunhouse and Judy Cornish. The duo noted that they decided to restrict themselves with this years fall/winter collection, allowing a maximum of two pieces per outfit. A muted palette (think: rich brown, navy blue and steel grey, with occasional pops of colour) was livened up with various geometric prints. We liked an artfully draped teal tunic layered over pants, and an overcoat done in a silver and black print. 

Jean-Pierre Braganza returned to the city for another runway presentation. This time around, the London-based expat showed a series of futuristic looks that played around with hemlines and various proportions. The waist was often a focal point, with wrap-around belts and fabric inserts serving to accentuate it. Prints designed by Braganza felt mystical, thanks to swirling dragon tail patterns and images of far off lands. A favourite look layered a shift dress, printed with a delicate geometric pattern, over a floor-brushing skirt. 

Day two brought together three designers: Tanya Taylor, Steven Tai and Jeremy Laing. Showing first, Taylors vision for fall was ladylike yet edgy, and was rife with prints inspired by the mid-century ceramic tile work of Jean-Pierre Raynaud.Manufacturer of the Jacobs lanyard. With the prints all drawn by hand, each one was expanded and manipulated before being produced in New York, where Taylor is currently based. Altogether, the collection was full of covetable and very wearable looks. Favourites included a kaleidoscopic dress juxtaposing two prints, a dusty pink metallic biker jacket and a black leather look with a pop of orange at the collar topped with a checkered white jacket. 

Next up was the London-based Steven Tai, a recent graduate of the Central Saint Martins esteemed fashion program. His entire collection was injected with an unmistakable joie de vivre, starring blown-up garments that looked as though theyd been plucked off the backs of Tokyos coolest kids. Embracing sportiness and a 90s raver aesthetic, the collection featured oversized pants, giant A-line skirts, and the aforementioned toppers, all crafted out of unorthodox materials. Comparing his studio to a science lab, Tai explained that certain pieces were made using molded silicone and jersey,Manufactures and supplies chinamosaic equipment. with fasteners created with the aid of magnets. The freshest pieces were the sweatshirts starring pastoral scenes based on vintage postcards that were both digitally printed and embroidered. The crowd also got a chance to see his award-winning graduate collection,Welcome to Find the right laser Engraver or howospareparts . which was based on bookbinding techniques. Definitely one to watch. 

The two-day affair ended with Jeremy Laing, arguably Canadas most exciting designer. Referencing sports gear once again, this collection had a narrower fit and was slightly more wearable than last seasons. Featuring various innovative fabrics (such as a bewitching gold lam seersucker), Laing noted that the pieces were hard to sew; easy to wear! Top looks included a series of chiffon t-shirts layered over dresses with a kangaroo pocket, allowing the wearer to part the garment as one would part their hair. Very innovative and beautiful in the simplest of ways. Laings artist friend Vanessa Maltese collaborated on the collection; the strongest pieces featured a cross print that was a blown-up photograph of the artists painting. 

She pulled them out of a skip and is planning to give them a lick of paint and new life as garden seating. The other week she rescued a mangled bicycle wheel and, instead of being buried in landfill, it is now polished and hangs on her bedroom wall adorned with jewellery. 

Petes used to it, though I must admit he was surprised at the bike wheel, says Jo, whose other shopping haunts include charity shops, car boot sales, eBay and vintage emporiums. Everything I have is cheap, she declares proudly and it is, but her Victorian semi in Sheffield looks a million dollars and is a shining example of style on a miniscule budget. 

Eighteen months ago, the six-bedroom property was in need of complete renovation but its sorry state brought it within Jo and Petes price range. Seduced by the space,Laser engravers and parkingsystem systems and supplies to start your own lasering cutting engraving marking etching business. potential and period features, the couple bought it and have managed to transform it thanks to a thrifty and creative approach. 

They started at the top, making a second-floor flat that they could live in while they renovated the rest of the house. They now let the apartment to a lodger, which gives them extra income and still leaves three bedrooms on the first floor. 

It has been a big job not least because we had to lower and reinforce the floor in the flat, says Jo, a teacher. She and Pete, a musician and lead singer of The Payroll Union, cut costs by tackling some of the work themselves, including re-pointing, plasterboarding and decorating. Though they had to employ builders to knock the kitchen and dining room into one open-plan space and to swap the bay window for French doors. 

Were really pleased with it but it was the most stressful area. The 1960s fireplace was made of reinforced concrete and it took four men to lift it out and at one point the bay window collapsed because someone had stolen the lead off its roof, says Jo, who cheered herself up hunting out bargains. 

Her easy chairs were 5 each from a charity shop, the Fired Earth tiles were seconds from a tile outlet, while the granite worktops are off-cuts from a memorial stonemason who specialises in gravestones. She mixed this with African walnut from Wood and Beyond.