R4 Fashion is an event looking to bring together students, young professionals, industry leaders, fashion community members, and green advocates for a celebration of top and upcoming Canadian fashion designers who view fashion with an added green dimension. Also it's to promote sustainable design & technology, lifestyle, and eco-friendly consumer decisions in the community.

Join us for an exciting evening of Haute Couture fashion featuring some of Canada's top fashion designers including headlining AIME by Monica Mei, CARRIE by Carrie Hayes, Thieves by Sonja den Elzen, and Rachel Jasmine Chan. All will present sexy and fashionable eco-fashion lines proving that going green doesn’t leave style behind.

Hosted by the wonderful Candice Batista of A Greener Toronto, the evening will also feature upcoming young fashion designers who combine their environmental consciousness with talent for fashion design. A competition will make the evening more exciting, as one winning student designer will be selected from our jury of special guests: Kelly Drennan, Amanda Brugel, and Gail McInnes! (read more on special guests...)

The event is also an opportunity for those interested in sustainable design/technology, environmental awareness, or just curious about the new 'green' global movement to come out and learn what's the eco-buzz all about. Learn sustainability initiatives, ways you can reduce your carbon-foot print, and how to become an active citizen in making a difference in your global community.

This is a 19+ event. The evening will be accompanied with appetizers and bar service. Keep visiting back for updates, news, and great links!

R4 Fashion is hosted by the Sustainable Technology Education Project of the University of Waterloo, a non-profit student organization aimed at promoting sustainable design, technology, and lifestyle.

Evening Emcee       -       Candice Batista

Host, producer, and creator of A Greener Toronto on Rogers TV, the enchanting Candice Batista never fails to know what's green in Toronto and ensures everyone is aware about the environmental realities of our time. With A Greener Toronto, she is helping viewers reduce their environmental impact and live greener lives in various ways; from advocating eco-friendly home cleaning solutions to sustainable gift ideas.

After spending nearly 4 years at The Weather Network, in 2007, Candice was endorsed by the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society (CMOS), certifying her expertise in the scientific breakdown and communication of weather patterns. With her expertise in global weather patterns, Candice became increasingly distraught with global warming and climate change. Her love of the natural world and all its inhabitants led her to create                                                                             and develop her own environment show. (see A Greener Toronto)

Fashion Jury       -       The experts on what's in, out, and eco-chic

Kelly Drennan, founder of Fashion Takes Action and the eco-fashion voice of Canada. She is committed to promoting & supporting fashion designers with an environmental conscience, and making sure ethical and sustainable practices are recognized in the global fashion industry. It's not a surprise that she is one of Flare Magazine's 30 Inspiring Women to Watch!

Kelly is also the President of Third Eye Media, a successful public relations firm that includes a range of fashion, lifestyle, and retail clients, many with a sustainable focus. Through her PR experience, Kelly has had the opportunity to work on several green events – either as an event planner or publicist (or both!). Her roster includes the Eco Wedding & Lifestyle Show, Green Toronto Festival Fashion Zone, Greenmom Spring Market, Green Enterprise Toronto's Brewers Plate, the Canadian Special Events & Meetings Expo’s Green Day, and the Sustainable Style Show.

Gail McInnes, Managing Editor of Toronto Fashion Incubator News her expertise on Canadian fashion and beauty market is virtually unparalleled. Recently launched The Style Box with business partner Amanda Brugel, she is ensuring Canadian fashion is recognized by celebrities and high-profile personalities.

Her natural charm and expertise has had her called upon for various television appearances including E! News Weekend, Radio-Canada, The Movie Network, CTV Newsner, TLC's Perfect Proposal, Slice Network's X-Weighted, TdotTV, NotableTV, and MTV Canada's MTV Live and has been featured in the National Post, Toronto Star, Toronto Life, NOW Magazine, Ee Weekly, and TChad Magazine. In 2008, Gail was selected as one of Pierre Maraval’s Mille Femmes - a photographic exhibition featuring Toronto’s most creative and inspiring women. (more on Gail McInnes).

Amanda Brugel, the incredibly talented Canadian TV/Film star and co-founder of The Style Box. Her stunning roles in A Diva's Christmas Carol (2000), Jason X (2000), Paradise Falls (2009), and many other great works is proof that she is one of Canada's proudest stars.

 
Guest Speaker       -       Aiden Abram, sparking positive change

Community catalyst, Youth organizer, Information sponge and Dancer are just a few ways Aiden Abram has been described. He has broad interests in civic engagement, education, social justice and the environment and seems to have found a way to weave all of those into his climate change work.  He is currently splitting his time as co-director of Climate Day: Fill The Hill and organizing global youth participation for the UN Climate Change Conference Copenhagen 2009 in December.

What time remains after that is dedicated to friendships, dancefloors and mentorship.

Designers

Designers