Fanshawe grad Brian Maristela brings background to runway

This year's Toronto LG Fashion Week was all about fresh spring fashions and Fanshawe graduates.

Recent Fanshawe alumni, 22-year-old Brian Maristela, debuted his first full collection from his menswear line, Lizares, on the runways this past October to great reviews and exposure.

“It was great…90 per cent of the feedback was positive,” he said. “Exposure from fashion week reaches from television to newspaper. It gave me an opportunity to get my name out there.”

Fanshawe grad 
Brian Maristela brings
background to runwayWith his collection, he is carving himself a niche in the womenswear-saturated industry by designing menswear influenced by a bit of fusion fashion.

His spring/summer 2010 collection was inspired by elements of traditional Filipino garb, such as the sheerness of a barong — similar to a button-down shirt. He also used jusi, a banana stock fabric. Along with the Filipino elements, he added some Western style by making the garments “more fitted and tailored for Canadian and international markets,” he explained.

The result was stand-out suits with a subtle sheen and attention to bold details like bright yellow cuffs or fuchsia lining with a decidedly exotic feel. Maristela's decision to bring a bit of his background into his pieces came from his supportive family.

“I had a strong family upbringing, close knit,” he said. “There was support all around for what I was doing.”

His family's influence is also evident even in the name of his company, Lizares — his mother's maiden name — which he started with friend and business partner, Lisa Harun.

With this being his first collection, there were some challenges being a new designer, he said.

“No matter how much you can plan, there's always something that veers off,” he said. “You prepare to overcome obstacles.”

Although he has forayed into menswear, his training at Fanshawe in womenswear was a “great background.” It gave him the steps he needed to get to where he is now, he said.

As he career takes off, Maristela looks to fellow Canadian designers, DSquared2, and Italians, Dolce and Gabbana as models for success. He particularly respects DSquared2 for making themselves known internationally.

“What they've done for menswear and putting Canada on the map for that,” he said. “Not a lot of Canadian designers have made it to that next level.”

Eventually, Maristela hopes to turn his brand into not just a Canadian one, but an international one as well, he added.

In terms of the Canadian fashion industry, he believes that if it continues to push boundaries, it can meet the standards of a Paris or Milan fashion week.

“We need to take more risks,” he said of Canadian fashion.

He plans on doing that himself, as he looks to upcoming shows, namely his fall/winter collection. While it's “up in the air” where he wants it to go, he does know one thing for certain.

“I want the garments to speak for themselves. Current, basic pieces that can be interchanged, that any guy would pick,” he said. “I know I want to make a statement. Keep it bold.”