Page 22 - Real Style Spring 2017

GarÉMa
The annual extravaganza, which takes place this year on April 7th, has spotlighted such notable Canadian designers as DSquared2, Erdem Moralioğlu, Jason Wu and Sid Neigum. From honouring design talent to celebrating accomplished models and photographers, the CAFAs showcase the True North’s evolving fashion industry.
This year is certainly no exception, with a new crop of rising stars entering the scene and joining the ranks of Canada’s fashion nest. One of these standout up-and-comers is accessory designer Garima Tewari, who was nominated for a Swarovski Award for Emerging Talent for her Toronto-based line Garéma.
Since starting her label, Tewari’s designs have been sported by actress Taraji P. Henson, who stars as Cookie Lyon on the Fox series Empire. Tewari has even had the opportunity to accessorize Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, who carried a Garéma clutch at a state dinner with Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto.
“I was very thrilled and excited by this honour. It was a Sunday evening and the shipping of ces were closed, so I drove down to Ottawa and personally hand delivered the clutch as I didn’t want to miss this amazing opportunity,” Tewari says, re ecting on the pivotal moment.
DESIGN StarS
thE canadian artS and faShion awardS Spotlight canada’S up-and-coming dESign talEnt.
by FaTima syed
While Tewari’s designs are proudly Canadian, she derives her inspi- ration from various global locales, and describes the Palace of Ver- sailles in France as one of her favourites. In fact, a visit to the stunning palace inspired her Chateau de Versailles collection of clutches.
When asked where she sees her label in ve years, Tewari doesn’t shy away from the spotlight. “I see myself participating at prominent fashion weeks and runway shows in Milan and Paris,” she says. In ad- dition to Canada, Garéma plans to retail in international cities such as Dubai, Paris, Milan, Rome, London and New York.
While the storied streets of the world’s fashion capitals may be the ultimate destination for many, Edmonton designer Malorie Urbano- vitch is already making a name for herself closer to home. Known for its ethically conscious designs, her eponymous label is nding fans in her province’s small fashion community and across Canada, and has also been nominated for a CAFA for the Swarovski Award for Emerg- ing Talent.
A University of Alberta lm studies graduate, Urbanovitch gathers her creative energy from the silver screen. “I watch a lot of art house cinema. There is so much inspiration there,” she says. While she may have studied cinema, her true passion turned out to be fashion design, and she eventually launched her own brand in 2013.
Urbanovitch, who works with natural bres such as alpaca and cashmere, describes the Malorie Urbanovitch wearer as “women who dress for no one but themselves.” She also strongly supports the ethical process behind her creations, which range from denim shirtdresses to ared khaki trousers.
“It really comes down to something as simple as making sure
Since their debut in 2014, the Canadian Arts and Fash- ion Awards have become one of the top fashion events of the year. Canada’s answer to the CFDA Awards (Council of Fashion Designers of America), the CAFAs recognize emerging and established designers, making it an important barometer of where the local industry is at.
22 Real Style Spring 2017
Rising
PhotoS, Left: Garema, riGht: hoUSe of nonie, maLorie UrBanoVitCh, Garema