Jay Manuel enlists `Top Model’ pals in relaunch of Attitude line for Sears Canada

TORONTO – Jay Manuel enlisted the help of some of his fashionable "Top Model" friends as he made his hometown fashion debut at the helm of the revamped Attitude label at Toronto’s LG Fashion Week on Wednesday.

Manuel, creative director on "America’s Next Top Model" and host of "Canada’s Next Top Model," unveiled his first collection as creative director of Sears Canada’s rebranded private label collection, Attitude Jay Manuel.

Former "Canada’s Next Top Model" winners Rebecca Hardy and Meaghan Waller and runner-up Linsay Willier joined past "America’s Next Top Model" winners Dani Evans, Aminat Ayinde and McKey Sullivan in the showcase. They were at times difficult to distinguish behind sunglasses or exaggerated eye makeup, and hair moulded into sculpted waves adorned with shimmering metallic bobby pins.

In a recent interview, Manuel said he liked the fashion-forward youth initiative he’d seen in the brand under its previous moniker, Attitude. The looks unveiled at Fashion Week continued on a similar trajectory, while further driving the line in a more high-fashion direction.

The collection delivered a modern take on late 1960s silhouettes, along with style influences, luxury and textures from the ’70s. There were a range of hues to suit virtually all tastes, from monochromatic black, white and grey tones to vibrant red, raspberry and marine blue.

Supermodel Yasmin Warsame, who sat alongside Manuel at the judging table of "Canada’s Next Top Model" kicked the show off in a sleek white suit.

There were building blocks for the core wardrobe featured on the runway with the bulk of looks worn in layers to showcase their versatility. Fitted turtlenecks, boat neck tops, collared blouses, cardigans and heavily textured fur scarves, along with pencil skirts, flared trousers and indigo jeans could easily serve as standalones or be mixed and matched with companion pieces within and beyond the closet.

For those seeking a statement piece, outerwear was likely the way to go. The expansive range showcased everything from traditional trenches, tweed blazers and double-breasted coats to more eye-popping numbers from richly coloured belted coats in peacock blue and purple, and an embossed snake pattern biker jacket for those looking to go the edgier route.