Sarah Stevenson awarded at TFI New Labels 2013

At TFI’s New Labels 2013 award gala which aims to launch the careers of new fashion design entrepreneurs, it came down to four finalists showing their Fall/Winter 2013 collections in a fashion show down in front of a well-attended gathering of 700 fashion media, buyers, and celebrities.

The evening at The Carlu was hosted by Breakfast Television’s Dina Pugliese and other notable guests in attendance included Stacey McKenzie, Sylvia Mantella, Simona Shnaider, Brian Gluckstrein, Gabrielle Miller, Georgina Reilly, Glen Baxter, Anne Marie Mediwake and many more.

The TFI New Labels panel of judges included Arie Assaraf (TNT Boutique), Elisha Ballantyne (Target), David Dixon (fashion designer), John Morioka (Target), Miranda Purves (FLARE editor), Suzanne Rogers (fashion philanthropist).

(Photo credit: George Pimentel)

Christopher Paunil

After the fashion shows, the judges took a few moments to come back and announce the winner was Sarah Stevenson.

Sarah Stevenson

It’s a pretty hefty prize as Stevenson gets to take home the grand prize of $25,000 cash donated by Suzanne Rogers. Stevenson also gets to launch an exclusive collection for Target sold across Canada in 2014 and also a full-page editorial feature in FLARE magazine. Congrats to her as the reds, blacks, whites and originally-designed and laser-cut prints really stood out with exotic beauty inspired by Dutch still life paintings from the Baroque period.

“I am so thankful to the Toronto Fashion Incubator for organizing this competition for emerging Canadian design, and for providing myself and my three fellow designers with this incredible opportunity,” said Sarah Stevenson. “The competition was a thrilling experience and I am so excited to work with Target and see what happens next.”

“We were overwhelmed by the talent on the runway last night and are beyond proud of the four finalists who gave it their all,” said Susan Langdon, Executive Director, Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI). “We would like to thank Suzanne Rogers and our amazing event sponsors: Target, P&G Beauty & Grooming, FLARE Magazine, Mantella Corporation and the City of Toronto. It is because of their leadership and support of the TFI that we can organize this competition and nurture Canada’s next generation of design talent year after year.”

Notable tweets

@faulhabercomm @TorontoFashion VERY EXCITED for 1 lucky #NewLabels designer who will win a LIFE CHANGING prize from @target_ca @FLAREfashion

— Susan Langdon (@SusanAtTFI) April 30, 2013

Dress by #newlabels winner @sarahAstevenson @marquis_fashion http://t.co/X0RLUClJFV

— Georgina Reilly (@georginareilly) May 3, 2013

Sarah for the win! Congrats @SarahAStevenson. #onetowatch #NewLabels pic.twitter.com/ttByuw3ajn

— Leesa Butler (@theFList) May 1, 2013

Thank you so much for all of the lovely messages & well wishes! I am so excited to have won @TorontoFashion #TFINewLabels competition!!!

— Sarah Stevenson (@SarahAStevenson) May 1, 2013

Thank-you @daviddixoninc for the beautiful dress loan and @FLAREfashion …Flare was there! #TFI http://t.co/8RKhqkeVyQ

— Dina Pugliese (@DinaPugliese) April 30, 2013

Check out Sarah Stevenson’s video interview here by The Canadian Press at mysask.com

ABOUT THE TORONTO FASHION INCUBATOR

The Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI) is an innovative, award-winning non-profit organization that plays an essential role in the growth and promotion of Canada’s fashion community. TFI helps budding fashion entrepreneurs develop the creative and professional capacity they need to succeed and evolve in the challenging fashion industry. As the world’s first fashion incubator, the TFI has fostered many of Canada’s most celebrated talents for 26 years including David Dixon, Pina Ferlisi, Todd Lynn, Arthur Mendonça and 2012 New Labels winner Sid Neigum.