Ones to Watch!

4 Emerging Toronto-based Designers to Watch For in 2015

Toronto is one of the prime fashion capitals of Canada; there is constantly word of new emerging designers and artists to keep an eye on. Here is a compiled list of 4 upcoming Toronto-based designers to watch out for in 2015.

Som Kong
A recent graduate from Ryerson’s Fashion Design Program, Som Kong has proven his notability as an emerging designer in the ever-evolving [Toronto] fashion industry. Using both technological fabrications and traditional handcraft, Kong’s innovative aesthetic and coherent creations have won over the likes of some of Toronto’s most notable fashion events; ranking top 20 at Ryerson University’s annual Mass Exodus Runway Show, winning the Passion for Fashion Contest partnered with Toronto Fashion Incubator and eventually securing a spot as a finalist at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week’s inaugural EMDAs. With all his recent success and experimental design techniques, Som Kong is definitely one to watch!

Sebastian Taborda Guarin
Growing up in the likes of Medellin [Colombia], New York and Atlanta, and spending most of his childhood in London [ON], Sebastian Guarin has been exposed to prominent fashion scenes since a young age. With his effortlessly minimalist aesthetic and thoughtfully curated materiality, Sebastian Taborda Guarin launched his brand Atelier Guarin in 2011, before his first year at Fanshawe College. His well-tailored and luxe collections have secured his notability and presence within the industry; taking home the prize for his graduate collection Effecto Primavera at Fanshawe’s end of year fashion competition, Unbound, winning the 2014 David Dixon Best Collection Award, Flare Magazine’s Top Collections and presenting his own designs at Toronto Startup Fashion Week. This Toronto-based designer has reached incredible levels of success and should definitely make prime positioning on any fashion enthusiasts radar for emerging designers of 2015.

Rani Kim
Mentored by renowned Danish menswear designer Astrid Andersen and personally referred to study at the Royal College of Art, Ryerson University Fashion Design Graduate Rani Kim is re-conceptualizing men’s fashion and entering new realms within the constraining borders of modern menswear. Utilizing structurally and symmetrically sound designs while experimenting with traditional conventions of the human form, Rani Kim has established her creative vision. Her recent successes include studying at the Teko Design School in Denmark, landing a spot as top 3 for the Art of Fashion Design competition, winning Holt Renfrew’s Best and Creative Pattern Drafting Design Scholarship and securing a spot as a finalist at Toronto Men’s Fashion Week’s first ever EMDA’s with her collection Rank by Rani Kim. This young innovator has reinforced her prominence and presence as an emerging designer in the Toronto Fashion industry, proving that Rani Kim is a name to remember.

Joao Paulo Guedes
Brazilian-born, Canadian-based and internationally bound; Joao Paulo Guedes has travelled many parts of the world, gaining experience through his unique eye for fashion. After living in Brazil and running a small marketing business, Joao Paulo moved to Toronto furthering his career in design. Graduating at the top of his class in George Brown College’s Fashion Design Program, Joao seamlessly translated his knowledge for womenswear designs and adapted it flawlessly into the realm of menswear, creating well-tailored and concise garments. Guedes has since furthered his skills as an emerging designer with Indian clothing company Shantanu & Nikhil, working in both New Delhi and Toronto. Through his unique aesthetic vision, and genuine passion for menswear, this young designer has managed to win the Toronto Men’s Fashion Week’s first EDMAs, feature his garments on the red carpet of the Much Music Video Awards and hold an internship at Toronto household name, Dennis Merotto. Keep your eyes peeled, for Joao Paulo Guedes is a force to be reckoned with.