Canada’s fashion scene is growing exponentially with each year that passes, so it’s no wonder that fresh new talents are emerging in tremendous quantities as well. The list of up-and-coming designers in the Canadian fashion industry is endless, and probably one of the most versatile and unique in the world.
In recent years designer Lucian Matis has taken Canada by storm with his various fashion design awards, and of course appearance as a contestant on “Project Runway Canada”. He is my favorite Canadian designer for many reasons, but above all because of his capability to flatter a woman’s shape through the use of masterful drapery and fit. His taste and sense of quality are impeccable, and differ from those of fellow designers in its unique source of inspiration.
Lucian Matis was born in Romania in 1979 to a businessman father, and tailor shop owner mother. He spent many of his early years helping out in his mother’s shop, which explains his expert technique and knowledge of structural fashion. He moved to Canada in 1999 to pursue his passion for design and attend Ryerson University in Toronto. Though his settings changed, his love of traditional Romania remained, and is repeatedly reflected in his collections. I especially find this an intriguing draw towards his designs because of my own background, which is very similar to his. I personally, have a fascination with history and international cultural influences; incidentally this appears to apply to Matis as well. I also love the range of color used in his collections, for they can be both colorful and bright, but continuously have a sophisticated elegance that is appropriate for the customer. I find his work very unpredictable yet at the same time containing a certain recognizable quality, which I believe is crucial and necessary for any designer label. I first noticed this designer and his creations on the popular show “Project Runway Canada, season one”, like many other fashion-loving Canadians. I immediately fell in love with his pieces, and anxiously awaited seeing his full collections. He made it into the top 3 contestants, which in itself is an incredible achievement, and ended his reign on the show as runner-up.
In summary, out of all the amazing Canadian designers, I relate most of all with Lucian Matis, a young Toronto resident whose reputation in the industry is already impressive, but in perspective, only just beginning to bloom. I have been inspired by both his lines “Lucian Matis” which is very innovative and artistic, and “Daphne” a more wearable, yet still fashion-forward line. I look forward to seeing his future accomplishments.
