Photographed by Che Rosales provided by TOM*
Lesley Hampton showcased her FW18 collection this past Tuesday at Toronto Women's Fashion week and our whole team was moved.
For those who don't know, Lesley Hampton is a Toronto based label created and directed in 2016 by First Nations artist Lesley Hampton. Throughout her years as a designer she's created and showcased shows around Canada that focus just as much on the message as it does on the fashion behind it.
This season Lesley utilized her runway as a platform to drive awareness to mental health and the stigma that surrounds it. Lesley had women of all shapes and sizes, with all stories to tell, walk her runway. She expressed in an Instagram post earlier this week "I casted for this runway show based on the mind of the model as oppose to just their outward appearance; to really get to know each individual woman who walked my runway, represented my work, and shared my concept so strongly." She went on to state "For a model to tear up with happiness for being given the opportunity to walk a fashion week where your body size, skin color, or ability is underrepresented, to myself tearing up at the thought of the movement we are creating together as a wolfpack, I am incredibly proud and honoured to have met and worked with all of these inspiring, strong women."
The runway was a beautiful story, and ended with each model walking out in her signature bomber with an inscription on the back "We Are In Control." We loved the message behind her runway just as much as the fashion. It wouldn't be a Lesley Hampton show without a raw and powerful message.
With that being said, we really enjoyed the collection itself, as it was versatile and wearable. Incorporating edgy yet elegant elements, we caught the biggest trends from her FW18 collection:
Sheer Elements
Elements of sheer fabric on gowns and pants elevated a number of Lesley's looks. They added a touch of sexy-ness, and with the incorporation of various pattern made some looks more elegant.
Photographed by Che Rosales provided by TOM*
Sequins on Sequins
Sequins made a huge hit on the runway for FW18 and Lesley Hampton was no exception. Creating full gowns made of silver sequin to adding silver sequin detailing on other pieces, the addition of sequins added glamour and flare to her looks.
Photographed by Che Rosales provided by TOM*
Statement Patterns
Going back to Lesley's native roots the collection incorporated multi-colored tribal print as well as bold stripe lace detailing. The incorporation of pattern definitely added a statement to each piece.
Photographed by Che Rosales provided by TOM*
Grey Scale
The collection - with the exception of the tribal print - was mainly done in grey scale. From shimmery silvers to all black looks, her range of dark shades and bold silvers made for chic yet elegant looks.
Photographed by Che Rosales provided by TOM*
Fashion With A Message
We loved the incorporation of her message within her pieces. From the mouth pieces to bomber jackets with the inscription "We Are In Control", Lesley's message was made fashionably evident.
Interested in learning more about Lesley Hampton? View her collection online here, or follow her on Instagram here. In addition, if you are interested in donating to the mental health cause with Lesley click here.
To see our favourite looks from the show, start the slideshow below:
