DelectablyChic! favourite, Sarah Stevenson, has won the 2013 New Labels competition.  New Labels is the annual event where up-and-coming designers vie for a coveted $25,000 cash award as well as mentoring and feature in Flare magazine.  This year’s event, which was sponsored by Target (the winner’s collection would be sold there in 2014), was presented at the Carlu and featured three other designers, including the more avant-garde SEVENTHIRTYONE.

Left to right: Two models, Sarah Stevenson (TFI New Labels winner 2013), John Morioka (Senior VP, Merchandising at Target Canada), Suzanne Rogers (fashion philanthropist), Chloe Rogers (Suzanne’s daughter) and Dina Pugliese (event MC and co-host of Breakfast Televison)

As usual, the event included a cocktail party prior to the presentation as well as a gala dinner for VIPs (DelectablyChic! only attended the cocktail and show).  Bites included shrimp as well as an adorable twist on caprese, with mozzarella stuffed into cherry tomatoes.  There was, of course, a photo booth as well, sponsored by Flare magazine.  A regular photographer was also there, taking pictures of some people at the booth.  At a little after 8 PM, non-VIP attendees were allowed into the balcony to watch the show.

Since the regular attendees were on the upper level, we mostly saw the show via a screen rather than the actual runway.  This was a good thing, as we’d otherwise have had an awful view of the collections (the Carlu was a very interesting choice of venue).  I found the two of the collections, including, the winner, Sarah Stevenson’s, to be fairly “safe” – with sophisticated, lady-like cuts such as slim/pencil skirts and dresses.  Of course, Sarah’s collection featured her signature floral prints.  The final collection presented, SEVENTHIRTYONE (and to a certain extent, Paria Shirvani), however, was different.  The more geometric cuts were definitely attention-catching, but the looks don’t translate that well for a majority of Target’s demographics.  While they were definitely fashion-forward, it was at least somewhat obvious that Target wasn’t really the place for them.  The pieces are gorgeous, if not a bit young, but there’s definitely a place in Canadian fashion for them.

It didn’t take very long for the judges to deliberate and choose Sarah as the winner.  I am definitely looking forward to seeing the collection for Target next year.  Congratulations!

Photos by George Pimentel, Courtesy of Faulhaber Communications