UNBOUND in London Town

Fanshawe College (yes, we're talking London, Ontario) hosted a fashion show last weekend to present the 2012 fashion design program's graduating class.  As this year's emcee, I embarked on a 24-hour trip along with other Toronto fashion faces - designers David Dixon, Arthur Mendonca, Wesley Badanjak and Franco Mirabello plus seasoned industry players Tamar Matossian, Erin O'Brien, Gail McInnes and Natalie Deane - who all appeared as judges of the evening's show.

Fanshawe plans quite a bit of pomp and circumstance into UNBOUND. Held at the hip Museum London, it includes a red carpet, a cocktail party and goody bags for attendees. While most of the attendees are friends and family, I met a number of guests who bought tickets just to see a splashy runway show.

This was my fourth year working with the UNBOUND event, and in my opinion, one of the strongest group collections. Overall Fanshawe's students showed promise in their ideas and wearability of the garments, even if many lacked in execution. (Puckering seams don't lie.) 

Supporting the next generation of fashion is important, perhaps just as much as spotlighting today's current roster of talent. By hosting the judges who are successfully working in the industry, Fanshawe proves how important this is. After all, it could be a Franco Mirabelli or an Arthur Mendonca who gives a graduate their first break. You gotta start somewhere, kid.

Special thanks to Hotel Metro, London's new boutique hotel, for a lovely stay, and great service that went above and beyond! For more pics check out Flare.com.

Best Design winner Andrea Kuntz

Best Design winner Andrea Kuntz

Best Design winner Andrea Kuntz

Best Collections winner Kristin Burgess