Like Sophia Loren in her 20s, Italian women are something to be desired–at least when it comes to fashion. And if you’re picturing the Jersey Shore-type, cut it out now. Instead, swap those neon and orange ‘glows’ for women who walk gracefully in colourful, skinny stilettos on cobblestone streets, and who wear gold-diamond skull-head earrings that graze long, brown hair. Italian women emanate style like the Statue of David exudes perfection.
As Lady Gaga says, she was born this way. Some of the world’s leading fashion designers are from Italy, namely Prada, Versace, Armani, Missoni, Valentino, and Dolce and Gabbana. From high fashion to street wear, Italian women have something Canadian women need: confidence and open minds.
As a Canadian traveling through Rome and Florence this summer, I realized Canadians are truly conservative when it comes to style, and less likely to take risks. A daily look at Street Style Photographer Scott Schuman’s Thesartorialist.com reveals the classy and eccentric tastes of Italian fashion from Milan, Rome, and Florence.
Admittedly, I spent more time shopping than hitting the sights, and I’m okay with that. Colourful and bold fashion jewelry stole my heart. Cobalt blue earrings in the shape of dripping hearts? Si, grazie (yes, please). Blue, yellow, and pink neon flats. Leather from Florence! From the intense skull-head jewelry to colourful wedges and silks, how could anyone travel home with only one bag?
“Fashion is a way to make life brighter,” says Silvana Esposito, owner of Venti 10, an accessories and jewelry store in Sorrento, Italy. “A woman that loves her clothes and accessories is a happier woman. My advice is to have no inhibitions and wear what makes you feel good and joyful…the result will be fantastic, for sure.”
Venti 10 is a white-walled shop that sells a range of handmade jewelry from sequined clutches to mustard-yellow stitched chandelier earrings, and was one of my favourites in Italy. Esposito travels the world to find beautiful things. Did I mention she’s only 24?
Inside Venti 10. Image by Kristen MaranoAcross the pond is Jennifer Halchuk, designer of 18-year-old Canadian brand Mercy and co-owner of Trinity Bellwoods boutique Gaspard, who believes Canadian women are missing out on crucial parts of the fashion experience. Along with her partner Richard Lyle, Gaspard carries brands from Italy, France, and Japan, among other nations.
Halchuk lays out the differences between Canadian and international consumers: People in Japan pre-purchase their clothes and build a wardrobe for the season. Japanese designs don’t emphasize the waistline, and skirts are not made for above the knee– it’s a cultural and physical thing. In Canada, shopping is an exercise in browsing, and comments like “I’ll think about it,” are common in Halchuk’s shop.
In France, women don’t wear tight clothes, and are more likely to wear a tunic-type shirt, or oversized off-the-shoulder sweater. Why? “It’s a confidence thing,” says Halchuk.
Halchuk explains that people visit her store and get frustrated with the fit, because it might not be slimming — arguably top of mind for Canadian women when selecting clothing. European women are slim, but sometimes wear their clothes loose. They might be a size two, but prefer to buy a size six. Whereas, shoppers, who come through Gaspard, often “need to think about” a piece they have their eye on or get discouraged when something isn’t tight or fits a bit too loose.
For Canadian women to evolve their style, there needs to be a shift in how their bodies are perceived, and what looks good.
“People of all shapes and sizes are beautiful,” says Halchuk. She encourages local shoppers to experiment with different options and consider imported designs for their quality.
As Halchuk talks about the great fashion energy of major hubs like London, and Istanbul being on the cusp, Canada needs to be there too.
While Halchuk points to differences in fit and design preferences, Jenifer Forrest, assistant professor of fashion at Ryerson University and the force behind online shop Bennie and Olive, explains there’s a need for Canadians to create our own identity on the international stage.
“We need to encourage the industry to work with educational institutions, and get the best Canadian designers to the big markets – Milan, New York and Paris,” says Forrest.
A special line of animal print iPod cases attracted Elle Italy to write about her accessories. She explains that the Canadian animal designs she used — such as wolves – are exotic to foreigners. Europeans like products that are different.
As an academic, Forrest studied images from Flare and Vogue dated 1985 to 2010 and coded them for character. Her research found that Canadian design is very different than expressions of dress in major fashion publications.
Canadians are more conservative because we dress for different seasons. Militaristic accents such as brass buttons are a constant theme. At the same time, Canadians are whimsical and light-hearted with their fashion choices, taking a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ approach to their selections.
Forrest explains that European cultures are older with more condensed populations, therefore, they allow for greater integration of style among countries. We, Canadians, are still nurturing our identity, including a growing fashion sense. Canadians also shop for seasonal clothing, and retailers aren’t willing to take risks with clothes they import — they’re sticking with what sells.
“We need to stop emulating,” she adds. “The average woman is not the woman in the international magazines. Women need to accept they can look good.”
Canadians are notoriously eager to carve out a national identity that distinguishes us from the rest of the world. Being America’s top hat isn’t enough for us, nor should it be. But strong national identities grow in culture, and if Canada’s fashion scene is any indication, our country still has some growing up to do.
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Kristen Marano is a Toronto-based writer. Follow her on Twitter at @kmarano.
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