With her passion for rock and roll inspired couture, Toronto-based designer Jordan Erin McKay is known for the edgy signature pieces at her luxury label Hendrixroe. Her retro style is influenced by Marilyn Monroe, who McKay cites as one of her fashion icons. However, the outgoing and charismatic designer has also drawn her sartorial cues from legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix.

McKay originally had plans to become a lawyer, before she became inspired to pursue her drams and launch her fashion label. Last week at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week, Real Style spoke to McKay about her new Pulchritudinous Genesis line, along with her autumn wardrobe essentials. Here’s what she had to share about her creative inspiration, embracing menswear inspired style and more.

Real Style: What is going through your mind as you’re perfecting a collection and preparing for a show?

Jordan: You get really excited about it all, and then boom, it’s over. It’s almost like getting prepared for Christmas or a big holiday. You work up to it, and then you open all your presents and it’s finished. You almost feel a bit elated. I always compare it to planning a wedding.

Real Style: What is the inspiration behind your latest line?

Jordan: The collection is called Pulchritudinous Genesis- the heartbreaking, breathtaking beauty of a modern day rock star. The company is based off of Jimi Hendrix and Marilyn Monroe- Hendrixroe. I’m really inspired by that whole Woodstock festival feel. Now, our modern day would be Coachella. Whenever I go to any of those types of festivals, Burning Man, those are the types of outfits that are real rock star. I didn’t want to deny the garments that I brought out in the last collection, the very first collection. I wanted to stick to that very Victorian London look.

Real Style: You’ve got common elements between your womenswear and menswear collections. How do you feel about blurring the gender lines in fashion?

Jordan: I believe that everything in my men’s line can be crossed right over to my women’s line. I’m really huge about that. Why are boyfriend jeans and boyfriend T-shirts popular? I’m a big fan of that. There are many pieces that have crossed over into my new women’s collection coming out.

Real Style: For Fall 2016, what are your style essentials that all women should have?

Jordan: I love my tails, Oxford shirts or blouses and a proper coat with great shoulders, cashmere coats. It’s always a hard question, because I don’t want to tell someone what they should wear. I think everyone’s style is beautiful in every way.

Photo: Yaryna Rybak- Autobahn Media