The Patent Spot: Greta Constantine Spring/Summer 2011 Collection & Interview with Patent Mag

The crowd outside of the small branded boutique at 161 Spadina Ave., was vivacious and animated with anticipation as the downtown venue was brought to life with the bust and boom of fashion enthusiasts on the evening of October 17th. The duo behind Greta Constantine, Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong kept the eager group of fashion lovers, buyers, bloggers and everyone in between in awe as they delivered yet another solid collection of simple material and beautiful silhouette, phenomenon detailing and volume using solid and intrinsic tones of slate grey, khaki, and earthy mist greens. While each individual piece held its own merit in the realms of fashion creations, the highlight of the night was Coco Rocha’s appearance as she opened the show with a lustrous, soft, gliding off-white and later Grecian styled piece consistent with what we know and love from Greta Constantine sexy, sophisticated, feminine and powerful. Following the show, Patent Mag had the chance to chat with the pair and later ask Kirk a few questions about the collection, the success behind Greta Constantine and what’s in store for this dynamic fashion duo in the future:

PATENT: You always do magic with your use of simple material and beautiful silhouette; what was your vision behind this particular collection?

KIRK PICKERSGILL: Exploring the power of fashion to enhance the individual. Motivated by how fashion is in itself a sort of superstition, to the effect that it envelopes our lives, shapes our ways of thinking, and is so intrinsically human. Using tones of dove grey, khaki, and moss the collection serves as the uniform for the urban tribe of tomorrow.

PATENT: You’re both fashion veterans recognized in Toronto and in the fashion scene around the world, and it’s a competitive scene. What would you say has been your biggest inspiration this far to keep you grounded and staying true to your vision year after year?

KIRK PICKERSGILL: We're inspired, and always will be, by the women in our lives. Accordingly, it's all about making pieces that will serve to empower. Effortless, timeless, and contemporary- what everyday luxury should feel like.

PATENT: You have dressed a few celebrities before, some big Canadian ones as well; who would be the one celebrity you would love to dress?

KIRK PICKERSGILL: Emily Blunt and Jessica Pare.

PATENT: You two have such extensive backgrounds in fashion, how do you work together so well and combine your visions to reflect the both of you?

KIRK PICKERSGILL: It's hard to describe; yet somehow it always works out as a symbiotic relationship. Moreover, Stephen and I are just one part of the puzzle as we always benefit from our staff's ideas to enhance the collection. In our studio, even the most bizarre or most obvious of ideas have merit, and can find themselves showing up in the season's collection.

PATENT: I know that Barb Atkin, Holt's vice-president of fashion direction has called you guys a “RETAIL SENSATION”; so what is next for Greta Constantine?

KIRK PICKERSGILL: Expand from the Canadian market to the international! We want to dress the women of the world, giving them a little piece of what Canadian design has to offer.
Once again the G.C show with all of its allure and simplicity set the bar rather high for what was to follow in the Toronto fashion week. As the unofficial kick off show, Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong presented a successful unrestricted show true to every bit of their fashionably blessed visions. Leaving everyone wondering how the Toronto fashion trendsetters would unfold their visions upon all fashion lovers alike.

Interview by Jen.Z

Greta Constantine Spring/Summer 2011