Some of the most well-known designers showcased lingerie-inspired clothing on this year’s spring/summer runway. FORTNIGHT owner, creator, and designer Christina Remenyi has always had a fascination with creating and making lingerie for women. “I know it sounds predictable,” she says, “but I have always wanted to do something with lingerie. I have always been so fascinated by all its possibilities.” As I meet Christina at her chic flat in downtown Toronto, I am amazed that someone so young is designing lingerie for women of all age groups and sizes. She understands why lingerie is important: “Currently our collection consists of bras in sizes 30-38 A-E and knickers in sizes S-XL.” As I slowly sift through some of the pieces that Christina has nicely put on display for me, I come to the realization that she is not only designing lingerie because she loves lingerie, but also because she possesses a full understanding of a woman’s body.

I like to think that I know something about fashion and design, and I would also like to think that in my previous life, I was some sort of inspirational or provocative stylist, or even haute couture owner. After seeing some of Katherine Soucie’s new collection for Sans Soucie, I experienced the realization that fashion can go beyond a mere idea or a style. The company has created an art form out of textile design, thereby transcending the purpose, or meaning, of fashion.

Mateo Magazine: Why did you choose to work with hosiery?
Katherine Soucie: I developed my concept for working with waste hosiery while studying textiles at Capilano University. I was looking at environmentally friendly textile processes (dyeing, printing, etc.) that I could employ with textile-industry waste materials in order to create new materials that were easy to care for, not to mention, functional. I eventually decided upon hosiery because I thought to myself, while at a dollar store, Here is a non-functional textile that is being sold for next to nothing, and you can only wear it once before it runs and pills.

Tank Theory is some seriously "psychedelic" shirts. Featuring the works of some pretty "sick" artists, these T's will most definitely attract the right kind of attention. Tank Theory..where art meets style.

Deux fm designer Anna Gilkerson dishes about her new summer collection and what her fall/winter 2010 collection has in store. Helping to change the design world by creating extraordinary and luxuriously environmentally friendly fabrics that are used to produce pieces of wearable and affordable clothes, Anna has a sense of style that has elevated her to the esteemed position of having showcased designs in the green room for New York Fashion Week to some of the most prestigious and influential editors in the fashion industry. Deux fm’s use of simple fabrics with hints of luxury and richness toys with the fabulous nature of vintage glamour from the 40s. But nothing feels old about these clothes as you slip into some of the most organic wools and eco-friendly cottons around.  Anna tells me proudly, “Sustainability is the foundation.”

Mateo Magazine: How is this year’s summer collection different from your past collections?