Montreal-based shoe store chain Aldo was helping to shine a spotlight on Canadian talent at Toronto Fashion Week this past weekend (March 28-April 2), partnering with fashion houses DUY and Greta Constantine to create two unique new lines.
The new footwear and handbag collection from DUY, by designer Duy Nguyen, is titled ‘Long Live Daphne’ and is intended as an homage to fashion icon Daphne Guinness, heiress to the Guinness fortune.
Described as "a tribute to this aristocratic world figure of fashion and her eclectic and refined tastes," the line includes the styles and materials that Guinness is known for, including leather, fur, snakeskin, lace and animal prints.
"I find her fascinating for her style and also for her fearless personality. I like people who are not afraid to be different and try to push boundaries," explained Nguyen.
Designers Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, meanwhile, drew inspiration from the Russian Ballet for their own collection under the Greta Constantine label. The fall-winter line includes colorful and ornamental Asian-themed footwear.
Wedge-heel shoes, boots and ankle boots are crafted from paisley-embroidered silk in rich hues of slate, anthracite, purple, cobalt blue, aubergine and black, and ornamented with delicate touches in leather, knit, fur and melton wool.