Page 48-The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday, December 21, 1989
All-natural fibres utilized
Bv
MARIE MOORE
'The interaction between the innovative trendsetters: and the designers who create what most women \vear is a lot ]ike the way l-tr\- to design my own collection." Antonio Azzuolo" said.
"First ot"all-.-I-want to capture my custoriier's attention with something diJFferent. Once I've accomplished that. I can tone it down to suit a slightly more . general taste: ■■
The Montreal-born designer.who now lives in Toronto, where he has • just completed an apparel design course at Ryerson Polyiechnical Institute, loves clothes and their ability to inspire a woman's mood.
cater to a ver\' large mar-ket. There are .staples and specialized pieces within-the line. Depending on what industry my customer works in. she might be able to wear them to work, but generally, they appeal to the woman who's looking For
a specific look.
"I find myself referring to the post-war era and Dior's classics for iji-. spiration. The^^^s and '70s were a bit, of a regression, when everyone wore the same thing. .At least the ^Os and '50s offered alternatives."
Azzuolo's variations in color extend to grey, moss-bark-green, plurn and black. His fabrics are all-natural fibres; in •wcM^te'd wools; flannels. SaX'Iss wool, cashmere and 100-pe'-cent cotton.
"The weight of-the wool works very well
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IS
OING
UTOF
USINESS
with my tailored silhouettes; There's a sense of ease in my clothes and that's- why I like, the r Italian designers. 1 do my samples myself, having had. the opportunity to take advantage of the facilities at Ryerson and now at the Incubator."
Asked how long it will be before he begins looking far financial backing. Azzuolo considered his reply.
"In terms of getting a manufacturer. I not only need a financial backer; 1 need someone to take care of the production. I will be starting to pursue business-minded associates as soon as possible. This tends to be a difficult task in Toronto, but I am confident that we can do .it."
Azzuolo's current collection is on sale at Ber-kim Menswear and Boomer in Toronto, although he hopes to be in other boutiques for spring.
Building identitv
image is important to Azzuolo. and he fervently contends that the image of Canada's young, designers is at a crucial turning-point. •
•"With tree trade around the corner, it's more a question of what you feeljslmportan how' imuch; rnoney • yoii stand to make that's crucial.
"This i.s all about culture and building a national identity if that's not important to you,, well, this type of agreement, will be financially advantageous for you:
"We're already so exposed to the Americans, and I think this will do a lot of damage to smaller companies who can't compete with them. It's difficult to say whether companies that can't compete ■ on, the balance
Antonio Azzuolo creates [a nostalgic feeling with his rounded, cocoon-like shapes that emphasize the ivaist.
sheet sjhouldn't exist — may be' the Ganad ian , government shou 1 dn' t throw its nioney into them; maybe only the-strong: .should survive. But where does that leave ■ nie? ,
"When 1 look at the. newer designers featured at The Festival of Canadian Fashion — Lisa Mann. . X:L, Zapata, BabeK Hoax Couture, Loucas. Michael Tong —■. I think they all have a really unique identity. We have the tafeiit here^ we don't need to go to Europe and knock off designs," he said.
"What we_djo rieedjs a little help — now and then. We need-to be ia touch more daring, to gain recognition and credibiiitv as artists and
someone to get us through-^thoseJean years while we build a distinctive and successful label. \ -see the :Free Trade-Agreement (FTA) as a po.ssible.fly in the ointment, on that one."
;M)rics : imported
Azzuolo buys his fabric in England. Italy and France. This factor may also affect his future as a Canadian designer trying
to ship deliveries fo the United States, according to proposed FTA legislation.
.• "Another bug that needs to bie ironed out." , His designs are extremely well-finished and reasonably priced. Men's pqrit^ range from S1-50 to. S200 while jackets' are . priced frdm S400 to $650. Ladies skirts usually cost from $175. to $220; pants, 5220 to S270 and jacketsr$-350 to S600. :
Azzuolo's a[Ssociation with Toronto's Fashion Incubatoi^ has given him the confidence (and assistance ) needed to travel to Europe this winter and research the fashion industry there, specifically in Germany.' ~- "
When he returns, he'll be able to offer even more depth in his fashion perspective to a long line of eager custortiers.
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Open Moii.-Thurs. 11-6, Closed FrI. & Sat. SUNDAY 11-5 785-4936 • 789-464$
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