In July IMG announced the shutdown of Toronto Fashion Week and since then attempts by several questionable fashion groups to capitalize on the absence of a flagship fashion event in Toronto has occurred.
The need to support local designers and artisans has become even more apparent for Canada's most populous and frequently hailed city. This year, The Economist ranked Toronto as the fourth most livable city in the world and the city's most prominent ambassador, Drake, consistently gives ˜The Six' shout-outs, most recently at the 2016 American Music Awards.
It is no secret that Toronto's fashion scene has lacked widespread support. However, it begs the question, what if things started differently with a focus on business first?
One unassuming place whose sees the importance of focusing on the business of fashion is Kingston, Jamaica. The vivacious city is burgeoning with creative talent and a five-year-old affair called Collection MoDA is addressing this. Collection MoDA is a week-long fashion and trade show event whose aim is to expose and engage the country's residents to support local and international design talent and artisans. During a recent trip to check out this event I spoke with several MoDA participants, from designers to a boutique owner, on their experiences and on the evolution of the style in the country.
Carlton Jones, designer
Carlton Jones’ roots run deep within the country’s fashion scene; he was part of the original style team who helped to put together Caribbean Fashion Week in 2000 in Kingston. This is his second time presenting at Collection MoDA.
He says My designs are hugely inspired by my travels in the Caribbean, and truly believes that resort isn’t a destination it’s feeling “ sensuous fabrics, loose cuts and great drapery “ it really becomes how you feel in the clothes that creates this feeling.
On the evolution of the style in the island Jones says, With social media everyone has become skilled at finding fashion that suits them. Caribbean women “ women all over the world “ have become more knowledgeable of what’s happening on a global scale.
Jones says the event’s the combination of runway show followed by a market the next day has people coming to see things they really want to buy. He says it’s a refreshing concept, promoting the business of fashion, that’s why the Collection MoDA model makes sense.
