In the arena of Toronto’s rising fashion figures Kyle Kofsky may not be on your lips but after FAT, Toronto’s Alternative Fashion Week, he will be. The man who started the artist collective Everyone Is An Artist is out to consummate the relationship with fashion and film through FAT’s new IFFF Series (International Fashion Film Festival). In its inaugural year during FAT 2011, this highly anticipated film series is the first of its kind in Canada and being watched by designers and film makers around the world.

The intention of the series was not produce endlessly long commercials for the participating designers. Remember Calvin Klein’s wickedly avant-garde and deliciously mocked, 10-minute Obsession commercial in the 80s? Forget that, as these films are far cooler than Lady Gaga could ever hope to be. Some films were we done in a week while others took about a month.  So I had to find out more about the man behind the chic lenses. In an interview exclusively for GayGuideToronto.com I asked Kofsky why you should be excited about this new series during FAT?

Max MacDonald: Kyle how did you come up with the idea for the IFFF series?

Kyle Kofsky: Vanja Vasic, the Executive Director of FAT, and I have worked together in the past. Last year I entered a film called A Love Story which had couture costumes by Kelly Henderson of Harsh Designs. Vanja and I brainstormed about the idea of merging designers and film makers. We didn’t want it to be a visual look book or have any type of television commercial feeling but have a real merger of clothes and film. She found the designers and I found the film makers.  We worked on the title of for the longest time and decided on “IFFF”. The marriage of fashion and film is like white on rice.

MM: What are your favourite films submitted to IFFF?

KK:  Starting the series on Tuesday, April 26th Gaudet: Fashion House by Zenon Turczyn and Shawn Venasse, on the same night : Pat McDonagh directed by Billie Mintz,  finally on Friday, April 29^th: Jessica Jensen directed by Lynn Kamm for this film there was a trip to Asia and the launch of a new item involved which almost didn’t happen. These are the three which stand out in my mind but all of them are excellent in their own right.

MM: Was there any you said “no” to as the proposed idea was too crazy for FAT?

KK: No, this year was IFFF’s premiere so we embraced the unusual. We knew what we were going to get as many of the film makers I knew of or worked with previously. This series is a complete change to Canadian film landscape as most people don’t have “the balls” to make films such as these. We wanted to celebrate the artists who do.  By the end of May 2011 or shortly after IFFF will go online where there will be an online application to submit projects for 2012.

MM: Finally being the co-founder of the IFFF Series, who do you wear?

KK: Hmmm, well I wear LOFT, APC, Marc Jacobs, and Banana Republic. I wear Banana Republic because of the fit of their t-shirts. Though I know it’s not out there but I believe you shouldn’t stop wearing one designer just because it’s not fashionable, if the fit is good on you, wear it because it looks good.

For more information on the entire IFFF series and FAT visit: getfat.ca

This week I have some goodies for you that will get you out of your seat one way or the other.

The FAT = Alternative Fashion Week Casting Call

Toronto Alternative Fashion Week holding a cast call on Sunday, March 27,for models to work the runway. Don’t worry FAT is not looking for supermodels, quite the opposite, they want the usual, bizarre and those who normally would walk the runway. So if you dream walking the runway run don’t walk to this casting call. Then let me know if you make it. You could find your catwalk debut in a future entry of Style Guy.

Where to go: 60 Atlantic Avenue (in Liberty Village dears), 2nd Floor. The call is from 12-6 p.m.

Lady Gaga’s Mugler Music

If you’ve been following me on Facebook all this week you know I’m insane for Lady Gaga’s (I was NEVER a huge fan of Lady Gaga until I heard this so you know it has to be kick-ass cool) music she did for her recent catwalk appearance for Thierry Mugler. The video I’m currently nuts over is the video installation which was done as the background for the F/W 11 menswear show featuring Montreal-based, zombie, performer and tattooed-artist Rico G.Not only is this tres cool, dark, surreal and mysterious it’s got clips of the collection. Trust me, between the music and watching the Rico, you forget there’s actually hot clothes going down the runway. I dare you to sit still when you hear this song and not prance…I double dare you!

FAT 2011 Call For Entries

This week and exclusively on GayGuideToronto.com I am posting FAT aka Toronto Alternative Fashion Week is looking for entries into FAT 2011.  What’s the big deal?

Read the full story

The FGI Toronto Sample Sale on November 25 & 26 Only

OK boys. I hope this was a pay week for the lot of you because here’s your third reason. During this week, if you have been paying attention, I’ve given you Reason One and Two to: clear your credit card, grab your keys, and beg, borrow or kidnap someone to drive and yell, “START THE CAR! START THE CAR!! I can’t wait for all of you GayGuideToronto.com fans to read this one:

Read the full story

A Hugo Didier Bowl

Yesterday I gave you Reason No. 1 of why you need to grab your wallet, a credit card (you may have to run faster if it’s not yours), your car keys and get your significant other/friend/or someone else (just make sure you know them) all while yelling “START THE CAR! START THE CAR!”

Here’s Reason No. 2 – the One of a Kind Show.

Read the full story

OK! For all you style fanatics get ready for more fashion panic from H&M! as they launch Lanvin for H&M on this Saturday, November 20th at The Eaton Centre and Bloor Street West stores!  The Lanvin collection has a variety of drop dead chic dresses for women and smart fashion-casual pieces for men. What should you grab? A pair of the dress/casual drawstring pants for men, the electric blue shoes, and the sunglasses. Price range $30 for the hat to $200 for the coat. You can view the pieces individually by clicking here: H&M.com/lanvin or you can view the uber-c00l collection video. The video stars the eternally stunning Carmen Dell Orifice (the world’s oldest working model).  Don’t sleep in on Saturday or I’ll have to say, “I told you so!”   

The Blonds

Hey Style Guy followers. In my travels I aim to bring you the best of style from all corners of the world, sometimes I come across something that I only want to share with GayGuideToronto.com readers. Exclusively for you, here is information on an event happening on Friday Oct. 22nd at the end of LG Fashion Week. The Roosevelt Room and Stoli Vodka presents FASHION STILL CARES, a glamorous, red carpet fundraiser for the AIDS Committee of Toronto, ft. New York’s hottest designers and celebrity favourites, David & Phillipe Blond: THE BLONDS!

Join a who’s who of Toronto’s fashion scene, models, movers and shakers as they celebrate life with an evening of glamour, outrageous outfits, inspiring stories, delicious food and of course, top notch music.

During dinner, guests will enjoy an exclusive 3 course preview of The Roosevelt Room’s new fall menu, complimentary “Honey Blond” cocktails by STOLI Vodka and their choice of red or white wine, live entertainment, a showcase of 4 of the Blonds’ new pieces and a meet and greet with The Blonds themselves.

After dinner, experience the energy of Toronto’s party scene as Roosevelt Room’s resident DJ Monsieur Cedric (Nikki Beach, St. Tropez) plays the top dance hits from then til now.

Menu:

Wine
Selection of Red or White by the glass

Amuse Bouche
Smoked Brisket Sandwich brioche, Gorgonzola, shallot aioli

Appetizers
Truffled Wild Mushroom Soup garlic chips, creme fraiche
Autumn Vegetable Salad hydroponic greens, preserved apricot vinaigrette, chevre

Intermezzo
The Eleanor Roosevelt Cocktail raspberry, rum, soda

Entrees
Wellington County Beef Short Rib red wine braised, celeriac mash, vegetable confit
Herb Roasted Naturally Raised Chicken molasses glazed, fingerling potatoes, baby carrots
Wild Mushroom Tagliatelle Monforte Toscano cheese, Chinese truffle foam, herbed butter sauce

Dessert
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Parfait

What’s It Cost? Dinner – $100, Dancing – $20

Where Do I Get Tickets? Right here!

Armani Exchange's Spring/Summer 2010 Ad. Being gay is sexy!!!

The fashion industry is global multi-billion dollar business. Strip away the lights, glamour, supermodels, clothes, runway presentations and cameras what do you have? You have a man (though there are women designers as well), who secretly read Vogue, and believed in his vision. At the end of the day he worked hard, had the talent and drive to make his dream come true, but what’s more important: he got the world to believe in his world. Fashion is about fantasy. It’s not about eating disorders, makeup, hair, clothes or even glitter (though there’s lots of that too).

Like many of you I was attracted to boys, told it was wrong, felt out of place and didn’t know where to turn. I came out when I was 16 and yes it was hard, I would never have changed it for the world. Being homosexual rocks and in fact if there was a “heterosexual fairy” and he or she said, “I can make you straight.” I’d say, “f**k off with that.” We as gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgendered people have a unique view of the world. It’s not right or wrong (well usually it’s right) but it just is that, unique. Your voice can change the way people think, dream, love, dress, live, love, even have sex all over the world and now plus throughout history. Homosexuality is NOT abnormal, shameful, bad, or evil. It is just a part of you and as you discover a wonderful part of you.

As I now sit by the runways of the world watching dresses, suits, pants, shirts, and other pieces of clothing presented in creatively wonderful ways, I think to myself how lucky I am. In only the short time I have been with GayGuideToronto.com as their Style blogger I hope I have shown you the power of what one gay man’s vision can do. That man being an openly gay designer who changes the world each season with the power of style and is helping fans and the industry see a different visual aesthetic every season. My love is bringing that to you.

My fashion journalism mentors: Elsa Klench, the late Liz Tibardis, Tim Blanks, Grace Mirabella, David Livingstone, Francis Lear, and Suzie Menkies all taught me one thing. Whether you’re gay or straight, fashion is about allowing people to dream for a single moment and in one simple outfit you can change the way someone sees the world. Fear not gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth you are in great company with designers: John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, DSquared’s Dean and Dan Caten, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Dolce and Gabanna, WL&T and many, many more are all openly gay men. Fashion has and always will be a gay man’s playground. From the 16 year old, awkward, pimply faced, 6 foot tall, newly out teenage to the 40-year old multimedia fashion journalist and model I am today, I lift a champagne glass to all of you and proudly say, “IT DOES GET A LOT BETTER!” Never! Never! Never! Put up with being picked on, bullied, being called names, or told you are less than. You are worth far more than that.

A wise man once told me, “Never let anyone’s baggage become yours!” It’s very true and that is what got me to being that Style Guy I am today.

One of my favourite outfits which went down the runway!

As this is Monday, October 18th and it is mid October, it can only mean one thing. It’s the beginning of LG Fashion Week. The main event other than the fashion presentation by Holt Renfrew was Bustle Rocking The Runway! This runway show would have made Joan Jett and Black Hearts green with envy. After the opening speech by the LG official it was lights, attitude, music. With a live band in at the top of the runway, I was totally expecting the usual Bustle signature: a fabulously cut suit. I WAS PLEASANTLY SHOCKED!!!

Bustle Spring/Summer 2011

So What Was The Collection Like? The team at Bustle have had a few conservative summers I will admit. However they blew that all out of the water this season. From the moment the band started, everyone who was in attendance knew this was a mini concert/runway show. The first suit down the runway was the Bustle signature then the second suit came up and the band started rockin’. Think metallic-looking crumbled, fabric, fantastic matching shorts, rumpled shirts, rocker t-shirts, and rolled up jeans. It was like early Gasworks (a former yet popular rocker bar in Toronto) come to life taking the best of everything rocker 80s and modernized it.

Do You Need A Piece of Bustle? Hell ya! This collection is going to fly out of stores. The pieces to watch for are all the t-shirts, the metallic fabric anything, and the shorts! They were amazing and brought cheers and whistles from the audience. OK! OK! Including one “ROCK ON MAN!!!” from yours truly. For Spring/Summer 2011 this is one collection not to be overlooked.

Where Can You Get It? Got Style Menswear, 60 Bathurst Street.

Ezra Constantine Spring/Summer 2011

Last Friday, October 15th saw three things. The first was modernist design team Greta Constantine not showing in the Audi dealership as they usually do. Two, the locations of their Spring/Summer 2011 collection was near Spadina and Queen which saw lineups and people being turned away. Three, the people who did make it in were treated to watching Coco Rocha strut her way down the catwalk. I have to show a little bit of journalistic bias so forgive me. I never miss a Greta and Ezra Constantine show! There is always something to watch. You know a show is a hot ticket when people are being turned away.

So What Was The Collection Like? In August there was a much bigger display of Ezra Constantine. But the few pieces I did see, I loved. Simple shirts paired with shorts bearing over sized pockets. It was actually wearable. No I’m not just saying that! There are wearable pieces which will mix well in any wardrobe. You have to remember Ezra Constantine offers a modern take on menswear. But just like every designer, it’s all about how you piece it together.

Coco Rocha at Greta Constantine Spring/Summer 2011

Do You Need A Piece of Ezra Constantine? Yes. It’s easy to say, “sure go out any buy this”. However, there are very few pieces to this unique collection made so what is in the stores, is what you will see.

Where Do You Get It? Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor Street West.