Design Forward 2017

Fashion For All

October 3, 2017 | Design Forward 2017 - Final Showcase | EDIT~Expo for Design, Innovation & Technology

Can climate beneficial fashion be accessible for all? Peggy Sue says absolutely. At a cocktail reception hosted within EDIT, the Expo for Design, Innovation and Technology, the 3 Design Forward finalists, Peggy Sue Collection, Omi Woods and Triarchy, joined Kelly Drennan, founder of FTA, on stage to discuss their sustainable looks and design process. 

Peggy Sue highlighted the importance of including all bodies and genders in the sustainability discussion. The looks shown on stage utilized her growing network of North American farmers, millers and makers, highlighting the capacity to craft climate-beneficial fashion from wool, alpaca and organic cotton. But she also spoke to inclusion, encouraging the audience to engage with the models and discover the various perspectives they bring to the runway.

"Because fashion, especially sustainable fashion," according to Peggy Sue, "has to be for everyone."

Design Forward: The Process

On May 27, 2017 10 Semi-Finalists presented 3 looks each at the first installment of Design Forward. Based on these runway presentations, a jury of 10 industry insiders chose 3 finalists: Triarchy, Peggy Sue Collection and Omi Woods. In August each designer pitched their brand to the jury, naming why they deserve to win Canada’s Sustainable Fashion Award and the prize valued at $50,000.

Peggy Sue Collection Named Winner

The Peggy Sue Collection, founded in 2015 by Peggy Sue Deaven-Smiltnieks, is an ethical luxury brand that focuses on hyper-traceable fibres, artisanal production and zero-waste design. Utilizing local wool and alpaca fibres, organic colour-grown cottons and innovative upcycled denims, the Peggy Sue Collection is known for timeless pieces that are both climate beneficial and beautiful.

The Prize

The prize, valued at $50,000, includes a 1 week, all-expense paid trip to Shanghai, China, courtesy of TESTEX, to attend the Intertextile Shanghai Exhibition and discover MADE IN GREEN by OKEO-TEX® production.

The prize also includes:

• Use of title: “Winner of Canada’s Sustainable Fashion Award”,
• Collaboration with Michelle Germain to design a unique piece for retail at Shopgirls Boutique
• Host a Trunk Show at Shopgirls Boutique
• Exclusive 6 foot space at INLAND
• FTA Premium Industry Membership
• Mentors Circle – receive one hour of mentorship with jury members of your choice
• Special Presentation at the World Ethical Apparel Roundtable (WEAR) November 13/14, 2017
• Complimentary ticket to attend WEAR2017

The Jurists

Design Forward Jury Members: Barbara Atkin, Business Mentor & Retired VP Fashion Direction, Holt Renfrew; Robin Kay, President, Fashion Design Council of Canada; Odessa Paloma Parker, Former Fashion Editor, Globe & Mail; Anjli Patel, Fashion Lawyer; Tara St. James, Designer & Founder, Study NY; Adria Vasil, Author of Ecoholic, Journalist; Sarah Jay, Fashion Stylist, Activist & Filmmaker; Sarah Power, Founder of INLAND; Jeff Rustia, Founder TOM + TW Fashion Week; Michelle Germain, Founder of Shopgirls Gallery Boutique.

Design Forward at EDIT

All 3 Finalists showcased their looks with a salon-style activations at a cocktail reception held at the Expo for Design, Innovation & Technology (EDIT). 

Design Forward guests interacted with the designers and their collections while enjoying cocktails and exploring EDIT’s transformative presentations housed in 150,000 sq ft of raw industrial space. Fireside chats with the designers, hosted by FTA Founder Kelly Drennan, gave each designer the opportunity to discuss their challenges and successes with sustainable design and talk about their looks. The evening culminated with the announcement of the winner, Peggy Sue Collection.

About EDIT

Change the world by design. EDIT is a 150,000-square-foot immersive experience that envisions a world transformed by unparalleled design, innovation and technology solutions. Produced by Design Exchange, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this groundbreaking inaugural festival will ignite conversations through an array of curated exhibits, compelling talks, and inspiring installations. Inviting some 100,000 visitors to East Harbour (formerly Unilever soap factory) located next to Toronto's Port Lands, EDIT challenges visitors and participants to consider how we can make the world a better place. Together. www.editdx.org @editdx #editdx

About FTA

Fashion Takes Action is Canada’s only non-profit organization devoted to sustainability in the fashion industry. In 10 years FTA has worked with more than 400 brands, retailers and designers in an effort to change the way our clothes are made. Design Forward is the only Sustainable Fashion Award in Canada. FTA also hosts an annual industry conference, the World Ethical Apparel Roundtable (WEAR) and runs numerous consumer awareness programs including a youth education workshop called My Clothes, My World. For more information please visit www.fashiontakesaction.com. #designforward2017 #fashiontakesaction @fashiontakesaction

All photos by @olgahutsulphotography

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