Inspiring Women Strut Down Runway in Teen Designs at Youth Love Fashion

Youth Love Fashion: Azure Restaurant, Intercontinental Hotel
There was no mistaking the young energy at the Youth Love Fashion fashion show hosted at the Intercontinental Hotel on October 18, 2014.

Designers of this show were teen talents from the five month fashion program that partnered the PACT Urban Peace Program, the Toronto District School Board and The Make Den Sewing Studio. Friends and family lined the runway in the middle of the Azure Restaurant to get a view of the show.

These fashion designers overcame adversity to participate in free five-month workshops including sewing, pattern making, event production and management. Most students had never picked up a sewing needle before!

They were asked to design dresses for women who inspire them. Some chose mayoral candidate Olivia Chow and the Honourable Jean Augustine, others chose their sisters and mothers. Pieces were modelled by the inspirational women at the Youth Love Fashion show accompanied by TV personality Glen Baxter. The event’s two co-hosts were Irene Stickney, Founder of The Make Den and Kyle Kofsky, the event organizer and publisher of PRODUCT Magazine.

The afternoon started off with a musical concert by PACTRocks.
Fresh pizza, cookies, sliders, and other family friendly snacks were provided by the Intercontinental Hotel.
The hip hop group dance group Electrified gave an energetic performance mid way through the fashion show.
One of Toronto’s best loved drag queens, Tynomi Banks, showed all the amateur models how to work the runway!

Six pre-selected audience members took part in an “on the spot” makeover and runway competition judged by Olympic figure skater Gabrielle Daleman. Spellbound Hair Design and the Toronto Fashion Academy were both sponsors. This first event of its kind achieved its goal of inspiring youth to play a role in Canadian fashion through kindness, collaboration and creativity!

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(photos by o.s.)