Design Forward 2017 - Recap + Favorite Looks
Pure + Simple is a proud sponsor of the first installment of Canada’s Sustainable Fashion Award – Design Forward 2017.
Design Forward 2017 took place in Bram & Bluma Appel Salon at the Toronto Reference Library. It was a perfect night for the ethical fashion community of Toronto, consisting a silent auction featuring sustainable fashion + beauty products, a green carpet challenge sponsored by H&M + some take home green swag! Pure + Simple had the honor of being the presenting sponsors + provided hair + makeup services for the models. Our trained makeup artists - who firmly believe that makeup is not to make you look a certain way, but to highlight your personal beauty, - took over the backstage + worked their magic using all-natural makeup straight from Pure + Simple spas, like Jane Iredale, Fitglow + Pure + Simple’s own Flawless Complexion line.
The night kicked off with a cocktail reception, where Toronto’s fashion industry influencers, eco-conscious consumers, Canadian fashion designers, media + bloggers could all come together to mix + mingle, as they sipped on our custom cocktail, Pure + Simple’s Skin Brightening Mocktail.
The highlight of the evening was the runway fashion show. Pure + Simple’s co-founder, Jean Eng addressed the gathering with a speech about the importance of spreading awareness about ethical fashion + lifestyle in our community.
“Beauty and fashion industries plays a big role in influencing our social norms. And these norms will determine the king of world we build and leave, for our upcoming generations. Organizations like Fashion Takes Action inspire + support designers to do things differently and provide attractive sustainable options for consumers, which is why it’s very important that we support them.”
Jean’s lovely message shed some light on Design Forward’s mission + message and how Pure + Simple fully supports the initiative.
Following opening remarks, the show was finally ready to begin as the ten semi-finalists each presented 3 looks from their awe-inspiring collections.
The spirit of this show was to promote fashion sustainability. Half the designers’ score was based on design, the other half was based on sustainability initiatives. The designers incorporated that by using organic fabrics, implementing minimum waste + eco-friendly methods and presented locally made garments. The diverse collections showcased an energetically creative take on sustainable fashion. Here are some of our favorite looks!
OMI WOODS
JENNIFER GLASGOW
STEVIE CROWNE
NOÉMIAH
ELIZA FAULKNER
BRONWYN SEIER
We wish all the contestants good luck and are excited to see who the winners are!
