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Jonathan Simkhai heads north.
On moving to California “The way
the landscape is...the air and the
spaces are very open. Even our studio
has an indoor/outdoor space. It has
really opened my mind and my design
soul, if you will. Sometimes, designing
in New York felt very peripheral;
you’re just so focused on one thing
that you don’t have time to stop and
look around you.” On evolving as
a designer “When you start, you
have an idea of who you think your
customer is, but then your customer
turns out to be someone different.
So you begin to understand, and then
you fall in love with them and you’re
constantly challenged with designing
for their needs.” On why he designs
his own fabrics “There are so manythings you’re tasked with on a daily
basis that you’re not that excited
about; fashion allows you to get
excited about those moments. You
can put something on to escape that
reality and go on a journey in your
dressing—the customized fabrics
really help create that feeling.”
On the future of Fashion Week
“Fashion shows are always very
exciting for the team, even though
they feel like a lot of work and they
sometimes get the best of you. One
of the things that could be done better
is to include more young designers.
It feels like we’re constantly trying to
find new talent, but at the same time,
there’s so much more that can be
done to nurture emerging talent.”THE WANDERER
BORN-AND-RAISED New Yorker Jonathan Simkhai has been
racking up the Air Miles lately. The designer, who is known for his
romantic, feminine clothing, recently relocated his design studio to
L.A. Then, after presenting his latest resort collection in Sydney,
Australia, this summer, he was on the road again, jetting to Toronto
to host his first Canadian pop-up at Yorkville boutique TNT. We got
him to stay in one spot long enough to talk about Cali, inspo and
the future of Fashion Week.SAY IT WITH US: Reformation has
finally come to Canada. The sustainable
label’s breezy West Coast-inspired styles
are now north of the border with its first
international store opening at Yorkdale
Shopping Centre in Toronto. Reformation
is equally loved for its feminine yet laid-
back designs and its commitment to the
environment (the company is completely
carbon-, waste- and water-neutral), and
its IRL experience is the best of both
worlds. Along with a selection from
the brand’s Conscious collection, the
153-square-metre space features vintage
furniture and eco-friendly fabrics—even
the electricity usage is offset with wind
energy. This is one brand you won’t
feel bad about adding to your closet.
(3401 Dufferin Street, Toronto)E
LL
E
y
LOVE
SAcetate and polyester dress, Jonathan
Simkhai ($830, at select TNT stores)Cashmere sweater,
Jonathan Simkhai ($490,
at select TNT stores)TEAM CANADA
Sorry, Rachel McAdams and Ryan
Gosling, we have a new all-time
favour ite Canadian power couple:
Tailored-blazer pioneer Smythe
teamed up with It-jewellery designer
Jenny Bird to create the perfect ’90s-
inspired fall statement piece. The
limited-edition jacket features a multi-
chain waist closure (available in shim-
mering silver or vintage-y gold) that
can be detached and worn as a neck-
lace. Multi-tasking has never looked
so chic. ($895, shopsmythe.com)