Fashion News | Archival Toronto Fashion Pop-Up: Fall 2017

Walking into Archival Toronto’s second-ever fashion pop-up event was like walking into a candy store as a kid. Showcasing rare and unique pieces from innovative fashion labels and designers including Helmut Lang, Martin Margiela, Raf Simons, Yohji Yamamoto and much more, the team at Archival Toronto created a space to educate young people about fashion, its history and ground-breaking designers that are influencing the fashion culture today, while also shifting the stereotype that fashion is an elitist industry.

I was met by three friendly faces. JD (left), Carl (middle) and Gloria (right), Archival Toronto’s curators. They were very open in discussing their collection and answering any questions I had, including how to authenticate real from fake. I learned that most pieces have style codes that identify the year it was released and the collection it’s from. One can always tell whether a piece of clothing is authentic by researching style codes and talking to other fashion collectors around the world.

I also learned about the importance of thrifting because there’s always a chance of finding a rare piece for an amazing steal.

The pop-up space, located on Augusta Ave in Kensington market, represents the driving fashion trend today, minimalism. Instead of overwhelming the area with their whole collection, they pick and chose specific pieces to showcase each day.

Here are some pieces that caught my eye:

2002 Comme Des Garçons Horse Leather Jacket

Issey Miyake Reversible Jacket from FW/84 Collection

Raf Simons T-Shirt Wrapped Trousers from SS/04 Collection

Raf Simons Sterling Ruby Crew Neck Sweatshirt from FW/14 Collection

2010 Maison Margiela 4 Silver Tone Rings

A.P.C. Sherpa Jacket from the late 90s/early 2000s (A grail that I now proudly own!) 

When doing these kinds of events, the best part for Carl is the people they meet and talk to. “We’ve met amazing people who really love fashion and collecting that we connect with on a personal level which we would have never met otherwise. It aligns with what we want to do which is to build a legitimate and tangible fashion community in Toronto that is well-informed and educated, and I think we’re off to a great start.”

To conclude, I believe that their vision is one that all fashion enthusiasts must consider. To learn about the history of where their clothes are made, what it’s made from, and how it’s made. Like art, fashion is a difficult process. It’s only when you understand everything about a certain piece can you appreciate the vision that the designer intended.

Don’t forget to visit Archival Toronto on their website and on Instagram for more information on future pop-up events. It’s definitely a must-see!

What were some of your favourite pieces at Archival Toronto’s Fashion Pop-Up? 

Designer Swap is Canada’s online luxury consignment shop and Toronto-based fashion blog. Find gently-used and pre-loved authentic designer pieces to purchase and read about the newest fashion, beauty, and lifestyle trends. Make sure to check us out on Instagram and Facebook! 

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Images courtesy of eventbrite.ca and Daniel Mangadap using a Canon EOS 60D