DESIGN DUO TWISTS THEIR WAY THROUGH ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SEASON
Story by Odessa Paloma Parker
Photos by Mark Binks
Drawing on their renown for creating garments that exude city dweller chic, Label designers Shawna Robinson and Natalie Sydoruk once again brought sustainable fabrication and sporty silhouettes to the runway with a cohesive collection that had energy to spare.
A more colourful offering than past seasons, orange, bright green and navy accented the otherwise classic urban black-and-white palette; a custom print made in collaboration with painter Doug Brown was used sparingly, highlighting the strong, simple lines of tank tops and tees. Toronto-based jewellery brand Cuchara injected a bit of bling, with rhinestone and heavy hardware necklaces (made specifically for the show) complementing the looks.
More subtle (but no less impactful) details included braiding and knotting, exposing skin in demure measure; the designers also re-purposed some of their most popular pieces, a zip-backed sweater and tie-waist shirting being among the best.
“We worked with a silk knit this season,” says Robinson about their pared down selection of fabrics, each chosen for ease of wear and comfort. “And we also did a silk woven…and worked with our standard bamboo rayon.” The result was a great array of separates begging to be mixed with both high end and more casual pieces.
The Label woman is a confident consumer, and this is exemplified in the conscientious manufacturing and wardrobe-building potential of each season’s offerings. Once again, this label is about more than just a name.
