#stmSnippet: Top Picks of TOM* S/S17

Adding extra heat to our city, Toronto Men’s Fashion week was held last week and showcased some of the best menswear designers Canada has to offer. Each season these talented creators inspire us with their skill and vision. After carefully organizing and reviewing each Spring/Summer 2017 runway look, I have selected my top picks per category. Worthy of the editorial pages, yet highly retail ready, find who came out on top in the full blog post by clicking here.

See the full blog post and more photos from the runway by clicking here.

Photos: Che Rosales

#stmSnippet: Top 6 TOMSS16

Over on STM we have rounded up our favourite collections from the TOM*, (Toronto Men's Fashion Week) spring/summer 2016 runway presentations. From sexy formalwear to cutting edge streetwear, the week was full of looks for just about every man. Find highlights from our picks of the top 6 shows by clicking here.

Find more on STM by clicking here.

Photos: Shayne Gray

#stmSnippet: Thomas Henry Made Has A Suit For Every Man

Tom Caldwell is not your typical menswear designer. The Toronto Men’s Fashion Week Emerging Menswear Designer Award (EMDA) finalist didn’t go to fashion school. Originally, he was who his customer is today, a businessman who enjoyed dressing well, but could not find what he wanted on the market. This has turned out to be one of his biggest strengths.

In this #stmINTERVIEWED we chat with the modest Tom Caldwell about everything from his struggle to find the perfect suit, to how his family thought he was crazy to enter fashion and his number one grooming tip for men, which we strongly agree with! Find the full #stmINTERVIEWED by clicking here.

With Thomas Henry Made's one-on-one service, buying a suit is like a walk in the park with man's best friend.

Jump over to STM now for more photos and the full #stmINTERVIEWED by clicking here.

Photos: Mauricio Calero

#stmSnippet: 3.Paradis - The Voice Of The New Generation

Emeric Tchatchoua and Raymond Cheung are the design geniuses behind the label 3.Paradis, an unapologetically fashion forward Canadian menswear brand. Having lived and studied in Paris, London, Hong Kong and Montreal, their designs are influenced by a range of cultures.

The two designers have made the top five list for the Toronto Men's Fashion Week (TOMFW*) Emerging Menswear Designer Award (EMDA) with a cash prize of $10,000, a one year membership at Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI), a feature in TOM* Magazine and a primetime runway show at TOMFW* Fall/Winter 2016. The competition's runway presentation will take place on August 21st, 2015 at TOMFW*

In this #stmINTERVIEWED we chat with Emeric and Raymond about their upcoming collection, their many influences and how they want to open our minds and hearts through the art of fashion. To continue reading the full interview, click here.

Photos Courtesy 3.Paradis

#stmSnippet: Q&A with designer David C. Wigley

Designed for his teddy bear, the first garment David C. Wigley ever produced was a pyjama shirt which the designer admits was "crude and it fell apart." No longer designing clothing for his childhood toys, David launched his Worth. by David C. Wigley line in 2009 and recently launched EASE. by David C. Wigley, a unisex essentials line made of cottons and available in standard black, white, gray and a seasonal pop colour corresponding with its sister line.

Last month during Toronto Men's Fashion Week David showed his Fall/Winter 2015 Worth. by David C. Wigley collection. Read the full #stmINTERVIEWED on STM here to discover which fairy tale inspired the collection, why he considers everything in fashion to be a learning experience and who in the fashion industry is his hero.

Walk the Walk: F/W 2015 TOMFW Highlights

At last week's Toronto Men's Fashion Week designers took to the runway  showcasing their latest menswear collections. Below are our picks for the top 6 collections in no particular order.

Chistopher Bates showed a collection ready for a cold Canadian winter. His knits will not only keep you warm, but also cool and sophisticated. Meanwhile Christopher's tailored shirts and pants flatter the male physique. Standout piece - Two toned grey sweater with cable like detail is timeless.

HD Homme, known for its red carpet looks, brought a powerful line charged with confidence and bad boy sex appeal. Stand out piece - Tone on tone black polka dot jacket tells people you're here to have some fun. 

Andrew Coimbra offered up everything from custom prints, classic black, white and grey to splashes of bold colour. This collection had the perfect balance of mainstream meets high end fashion. Whatever side of the line you sit, Andrew has something for you. Stand out piece - Cropped jacket with custom print is perfect for the modern urbanite longing for something with some added character. 

Worth. by David C Wigley was based this season on the Norwegian fairy tale East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Standout piece - Biker inspired midnight blue vest with gold hardware is ready to be paired with anything from trendy joggers to flattering dress pants with a shirt and tie for a rocker look.

Joao Paolo Guedes, known for his interesting prints did not disappoint. The designer offered up a range of prints worthy of being snapped on the runway and yet highly consumer friendly. Stand out piece - Black and navy print jacket combining traditional suiting construction and cut finished with a zipper closure and high neck. A versatile piece which will easily become a staple in your wardrobe.

Kollar Clothing is the next big street wear brand. Designer David Kollar takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. This brand really is in the details and retailers are already taking note. Stand out piece - Green bomber jacket with contrasting black leather sleeves will take you all over downtown during the day and then back out again for the night.

Want to see more from TOMFW? Over on  STM we’ve rounded up not only these six, but the top three looks from every collection. Visit the post on STM here.

All Photos: Shayne Gray

#stmSnippet: Q&A with designer Christopher Bates

Sean Connery’s James Bond is Christopher Bates’ style icon and it definitely shows in the designer’s menswear collection. The former model turned fashion designer is now in his seventh year of business and will be showing at TOMFW, Toronto Men’s Fashion Week on Friday February 27^th. When he is not designing, the former Vancouver boy enjoys travel, cooking and playing competitive soccer.

In the final week leading up to TOMFW Christopher made time to take part in the following #stmINTERVIEWED Q&A which includes pictures of some of his favourite runway looks, behind the scenes happenings and even a shot of Christopher himself from his modelling days. Read on to learn more about his design inspiration, why he now runs his production out of Italy and the most valuable piece of advice he ever received as a designer.

Photo: Kareen Mallon of Electrafire Studio

Read the full #stmINTERVIEWED Q&A with designer Christopher Bates on STM here.

Walk the Walk: TOM*FW Jacket Roundup

Grab your jackets gentlemen! Last week at the newly launched TOMFW in Toronto, a group of talented menswear designers showcased their lines for SS15. Among the mix were some incredible blazers and jackets. In no particular order, here are my must have jackets for SS15.

First up are three tailored blazers/suit jackets for all you party goers. The perfect blazer is simply a must when stepping out to attend one of Toronto's many A-list parties. 

This broad shouldered white blazer from Worth by David C. Wigley has a single button closure and thoughtfully placed graphic. 

 photo: Arthur Von Tyrpa

Paulo Succar presented this incredibly tailored suit ensemble in a tasteful statement making black and white print. Personally, I would let this jacket do all the talking and pair it with solid pants, shirt and tie.

 photo: Che Rosales

OK, I admit I have a thing for black and white... and bold prints... which might be why I also fell for this sexy graphic blazer from HD HOME. The fact that the fabric has just the slightest sheen is icing on the cake. 

photo: Che Rosales

Now life is not all about parties, sometimes you just need a good jacket to keep you warm in the cool Canadian Spring season. From bold colours and florals to yes, even more black and white prints, these four jackets have it all.

Looking for something a little more sporty on a casual day? This easy to wear jacket from Noel Crisostomo, has just the right combination of colour blocking and will work for any age.

 photo: Jonathan Lapada

In need of some bold flower power? From fuchsia shorts to classic denim, this  Worth by David C. Wigley bomber will go with just about anything you want to pair it with below the waist.

photo: Constantine Digovets

Feeling a little more bad boy meets confidence? Then check out these final two jackets to meet your needs.

OK, let's just skip over the fact that I chose yet another bold black and white graphic and talk about the bad boy feel oozing from this racer jacket from Sons of Odin. The zipper detail is done just right and breaks up the floral print perfectly.

 photo: Constantine Digovets

Last but not least is this gem from the incredible Christopher Bates. Pretty much every Canadian loves a good solid black outerwear piece and Bates delivers a sure fire garment ready to fly off the racks.

photo: Jonathan Lapada

Congratulations to all of the designers who were part of Toronto's first ever mens fashion week. Make sure to visit each of the designer's pages to learn more about them and to see their past and present collections.  To learn more about TOMFW and the TOM* Magazine, click here.