Lights dim as the spotlight shines on the concrete runway set up on the top floor of downtown Toronto’s So Local shop. The DJ cues the heavy bass beats and a brief introduction silences the audience in anticipation of the beginning of Where Fabric Meets Noise. Local rappers share the runway as models cascade down the catwalk, displaying the Fall/Winter 2014 collection of Anna Fora Designs. The fusion of music and fashion set inside a venue with walls dressed in colourful graffiti and artwork by local artists brings to life the essence of the collection’s artistic influences.

With black and white being the main colour palettes for this collection, many pieces incorporate draping and layers made from silky materials, which bellow behind the models to create a shadow effect. Male models display a lot of chest, as many of their garments are open and give off a carefree, edgy feel with wool materials.

“The inspiration behind the line would be basically just the endeavours that I’ve been going through up until late. All of my cultural influences, all of my social influences, everything around me.” – Maida Ghide

Staying true to the Anna Fora brand, designer and creator of the event, Maida Ghide incorporates many tribal prints; cut and designed into styles only her collection can deliver. One such design is a sleeveless cropped top with winged shoulders, to give structure to the edgy female, accompanied by a long panel cascading down the front and back of the top. The piece puts a modern day spin on ancient oriental attire.

“The inspiration behind the line would be basically just the endeavours that I’ve been going through up until late. All of my cultural influences, all of my social influences, everything around me,” explains the young designer who will be showcasing her whole Fall/Winter 2014 Collection at this year’s Vancouver Fashion Week.

Words By. Aliecia Brissett + Photos By. Forde Marshall

Aliecia Brissett is a creative and fun writer from Toronto, who loves dance, fashion and getting to know her city. Having come from a single parent home, she was constantly involved in activities to keep her busy; such as her years of professional dance training in ballet, hip-hop and jazz, and her love for fashion and drawing that transcended into her becoming a stylist and overall visionary. Having always been a storyteller, and overall chatter box, Aliecia, who joined Urbanology Magazine in 2012 as a journalist and stylist, loves to speak with the movers and shakers of the industry to get a gist of her next story.

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