Photo by, Ruby Wray – Article by, Heather McNiece

Video by, Ruby Fay Wray

Last Friday was my very first experience with the fashion industry at TOM*,  Toronto Men’s Fashion Week,  and needless to say it was a night I won’t soon forget. Through the throng of beautiful people, dressed immaculately from head to toe in only the most stylish clothing –not a pair of Uggs or track pants in sight—I came to my first conclusion: nothing will ever be the new black.

At 6 o’clock we arrived at College Park for our first show, the 2016 HOMME FINEZZA Collection by Ivan Lehec, a French designer now based in Montreal. This beautiful collection of impeccably tailored clothing has something for everyone; each piece has its own unique detail to separate it from the rest while still maintaining a common theme of relaxed elegance and sophistication.

With the wide range of textiles and detailing incorporated, it was like taking a walk through the French countryside . . . where all the men are well-dressed and beautiful. Whether you are attending a gala event or simply enjoying an afternoon by the beach. It is a collection of clothing I would want to see on any man.

After the show, that was all of six minutes, we flocked to the media pit with the rest of the reporters, eager to get a word from Lehec. He stood with his beautiful and perfectly dressed, growing family; three children, a six month old baby and his beautiful wife Emi Lie, who is a hat designer from Quebec and was kind enough to translate the interview.

It was through this interview and speaking to the Lehec family that I was finally able to hear how and why sourcing of materials is so important to the fashion industry and the world. When it comes to haute couture and high fashion most people have a hard time justifying spending money on something that they could otherwise get for significantly cheaper, thinking they are getting an identical product; however that is never the case. If something is cheap, chances are the quality is compromised and somewhere someone is getting cheated.

Ivan and Emi Lie were both very passionate about producing stunning clothing that is not only excellent quality, but making sure it is ethical as well—because ethical fashion is always in style. In a world where we are losing much of our integrity it is reassuring to hear that the fashion industry still values the artistic fundamentals of beautiful clothing.

I was also lucky enough to get to interview two of their models, Paul Mason, one of Toronto’s most iconic male models and Canadian Olympic diver Maxim Bouchard. Perhaps there is something to the fact that I have never been in a situation like this before but, everyone possessed a refreshing humility and appreciation for where they were and the work they had done to get them there.

I was genuinely impressed by everyone I spoke with and taken aback by the kindness with which I was treated. I even had the pleasure of meeting the lovely international supermodel, Yasmine Warsame, (Canada’s Next Top Model) at the Christopher Bates show, while she was reapplying some make-up before going for an interview. Upon seeing that her compact mirror from Sephora was cracked and missing a side, I dug into my own bag and produced the same compact free of any damage and gave it to her.

For my first experience with fashion week, I’ll chalk this down as definitely one for the books. I met some fantastic people who all actively care about the same thing on a much deeper level than the consumer.

Fashion is not simply a capitalist creation to make money; it’s a culture and way of being. It is art and always will be, just as much as Van Gogh, Klimt and Michelangelo are. Whether it’s Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, or Dolce and Gabbana, there is just as much artistry, detail, intricacy and care put into each meticulous stitch as there is in each brush stroke . . . the only difference is, you can actually wear it.