Hannah Yakobi is an award-winning journalist and communications specialist. Throughout her career, she has written for the National Post, OK! Magazine, the Ottawa Citizen, Canwest newspaper network and dozens of publications around the world. Currently, she is the Editor-in-Chief of FAJO Magazine, a Canadian publication with staff in Canada, U.S. and U.K.
I am always amazed at the craftsmanship and incredible talent of Canadian fashion designers, and on Tuesday I attended an event that once again made me proud of the fashion industry in our country.
Tutu by Justina McCaffrey for the Tutu Project
Photo by Setareh Sarmadi
This tutu is modeled after the dress Ms.McCaffrey has made for Karen Kain for the Diamond Gala on June 20.
The National Ballet of Canada and its Volunteer Committee are celebrating 60 years of partnership and have decided to engage their friends, audience and various organizations from across the country to create a collection of 60 unique tutus. This initiative is called The Tutu Project.
Tutu by Noel Middleton for the Tutu Project
Photo by Setareh Sarmadi
On Tuesday, I was invited to the private reception and preview of all tutus. One of my colleagues at FAJO Magazine – Events Editor Katia Ostapets – is a fashion designer and she oversaw the creation of our tutu that was contributed to this project. We also had several of our staff members help her create the piece.
Tutu by Sarah Stevenson and Eliza Kozurno for the Tutu Project
Photo by Setareh Sarmadi
The project had contributors from all sectors and included Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Alberta Ballet, designers from the Fashion Design Council of Canada, National Ballet of Canada’s staff, artists, business owners and many other creative folks.
While at the event, Katia and I admired the work of other participating designers. Every contributor was sent a white tutu on a dress form and they had to decorate it in some way that incorporated their artistic vision. The tutus were painted, spray painted, garlanded, bejeweled and covered with other fabrics. They truly became art works at the hands of some of the most creative individuals in the country. It was amazing to see how the final pieces combined all aspects of the arts sector – fashion, fine art, dance and music.
Tutu by FAJO Magazine for the Tutu Project
Photo by Setareh Sarmadi
The ones that stood out for me were the tutus by: Canadian veteran designer David Dixon; fashion geniuses Sunny Fong of VAWK, Sarah Stevenson, Eliza Kozurno and Adrian Wu; business power woman Melanie Dowhaniuk; bridal wear leader Justina McCaffrey; and the incredible Jennifer Zimmerman (who was the head of the project, together with Heather Blom).
Tutu by VAWK for the Tutu Project
Photo by Setareh Sarmadi
If you get a chance, I strongly recommend that you check out these beautiful pieces of fashion and art. To find out more, take a look at the timeline of the project here.
Top photo: Tutu by Shay Lowe Jewellery Design for the Tutu Project
Photo by Setareh Sarmadi