NEW DOORS OPEN FOR WORLD MASTERCARD FASHION WEEK
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanIMG Fashion has broken down barriers as they brought about the creation of Istanbul Fashion Week recently but now they have gone one step further in the industry. IMG Fashion represents the world’s top models, leading designers, influential photographers, art directors and stylists. The division produces the leading fashion events around the globe and represents many of the industry’s top organizations and federations.
The Fashion Design Council of Canada and IMG Fashion jointly announced IMG Fashion as the new owner and producer of World MasterCard Fashion Week. IMG Fashion will be a pivotal leader to bring this event to a more international level getting it the recognition it so appropriately deserves.
Fashion Week in Toronto was originally created in 1999 by Robin Kay, President of the FDCC, so that it would stimulate a demand for Canadian designers nationally and globally. Kay worked diligently to make this the second largest fashion week in North America, a priceless accomplishment. IMG Fashion came into the picture in 2010 as consultant for event production, designer outreach, marketing and sponsorship sales.
Kay now steps down as Executive Director of World MasterCard Fashion Week as this exciting transition gets underway. She will still remain as President of the FDCC and be active in a consulting role in order to see this event to fruition. As Robin expresses,”I have no plans to disappear and I will remain committed to helping and nurturing Canadian designers to shine on the catwalk.”
This is the beginning of a new chapter that holds the key to worldwide industry possibilities for this particular fashion week. It will join the ranks of New York, London, Milan, Berlin, Australia, Tokyo, Mumbai, Istanbul, Miami, Russia as well as other international events that IMG Fashion owns and commercially represents. This will hold beneficial advantages to a network of expertise, contacts and numerous fashion initiatives for Canadian designers.
IMG Fashion has been strategically planning this acquisition so that Canada can stay true to its roots but still bring about positive change.
During her tenure, Kay oversaw 26 seasons, hundreds of designer runway shows and presentations of thousands of guests. Designer highlights include Missoni, Philip Bloch, Pink Tartan, Joe Fresh, Jay Manual, Cynthia Rowley, David Dixon, Bustle and more.
We anxiously await World MasterCard Fashion Week – Spring 2013 Collections that is quickly approaching on October 22nd through October 26, 2012. It will take place at David Pecaut Square.
The list of the eight up-and-coming talented finalists showing their emerging collections include:
— Sibling design duo Hilary and Louanna Murphy from Dreamboat Lucy in P.E.I.
— Duy Nguyen of DUY in Montreal
— Caitlin Power, a womenswear designer, based in Toronto
— Toronto-based Christopher Bates
— Lauren Bagliore from Calgary
— Edmonton’s Nicole Campre
— Edmonton-based Malorie Urbanovitch
— Pure Magnolia‘s designer Patty Nayel (based in Vancouver)
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