The Lesley Hampton Runway Celebrated Diversity + Other Fashion News

Photography by Jenn Jevons

Plus Sperry collaborates with Warm & Wonderful on a Princess Diana-inspired shoe collection.

By Annika Lautens

Date November 11, 2022

The Lesley Hampton runway show at Fashion Art Toronto was her most diverse yet

Photography by Jenn Jevons

There are a lot of reasons to love fashion designer Lesley Hampton: she’s beyond talented, she’s an advocate for the Indigenous community, she was great as a guest judge on Canada’s Drag Race…the list goes on. But the most recent reason for our appreciation for the Indigenous designer is her empowering statement at Fashion Art Toronto. On November 10, the Lesley Hampton runway kicked off the Toronto event with one of the most diverse presentations we’ve ever seen. Not only was the BIPOC community represented, her model lineup included LGBTQ2S+ talent (queer style icon and HIV/Aids advocate Myles Sexton looked fabulous in sequins and towering heels), extended sizes, women with physical disabilities and Monika Myers making her debut as the first model with Down Syndrome to walk the FAT runway. “The runway is more than a showcase of just clothing, it is a critique on society,” Hampton shares via email. “I believe in investing in and supporting inclusivity in all forms that accurately reflects Canadian society. If we can see bodies like ours take up space in landscapes that have previously shamed and excluded us, it greatly effects our mental health and body image.”

Sperry collaborates with Warm & Wonderful on a Princess Diana sheep sweater and shoes

Photography courtesy of Sperry

Does this print look familiar? If you’re a Princess Diana devotee, you’ll recognize the now infamous “Black Sheep” sweater she wore in 1981. So it’s very fitting that just in time for the release of season 5 of The Crown, Sperry has teamed up with Warm & Wonderful on a collection of sheep-inspired shoes and sweaters. Available in four colours, these items make the perfect gift for the Royal connoisseur in your life.

Toronto’s World AIDS Day Ball will be the largest in Canadian history

Photography by Kirk Lisaj

If you thought last year’s World AIDS Day Ball was good, wait until you see what’s next. For the uninitiated, the annual event is part fundraiser and part party, raising awareness for HIV programming at Maggie’s Toronto while simultaneously celebrating the Black, queer and ballroom communities. With over $20,000 in cash prizes and more than 1,200 attendees, the World AIDS Day Ball: Celestial Beings is set to be the largest ball in Canadian history, so be sure to book your tickets now.

The Bay releases their second collection with The Raptors

Photography courtesy of Hudson’s Bay

Sports and fashion have always had a special relationship, and The Bay’s partnership with The Raptors exemplifies just that. For their second drop, the retailer and the NBA team have released 15 new pieces featuring the iconic Raptors logo and a new interpretation of The Bay’s stripes. What’s more, 100 per cent of net proceeds are going to Hudson’s Bay Foundation Charter for Change, an initiative with the goal of accelerating racial equity in Canada.

Paris Jewellers unveils new lab-grown diamonds

Photography courtesy of Paris Jewellers

To paraphrase Marilyn, lab-grown diamonds are a girl’s best friend, so luckily, Edmonton’s Paris Jewellers is here to help. The Canadian brand’s new offering includes engagement rings and other styles made using 14 karat recycled gold and gemstones created in state-of-the-art laboratories. Plus, for every piece sold, Paris Jewellers will plant one tree in Canada to help regions affected by forest fires.

Canada’s Cakeworthy Celebrates Barbie

Photography courtesy of Cakeworthy

In honour of the 30th anniversary of the Barbie® Totally Hair™ Doll, Canadian brand Cakeworthy is partnering with the iconic toy on a 15-piece capsule collection. The collaboration includes a vibrant mix of 1980s nostalgia blended with 2022 styles, like a denim jacket, plaid shirt, vest, purse and more. And you can bet there’s lots and lots of pink. After all, life in plastic is fantastic!

Adidas comes to Indigo

Indigo isn’t your average bookstore — it’s become a lifestyle mecca. And with their latest partnership with Adidas, its fashionable reach has gotten even more expansive. Starting this week, a selection of adult and kids Adidas apparel and accessories will be available to shop in-store and online. Also, be sure to shop the Adidas x LEGO collab, housed exclusively at Indigo.

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