TORONTO -- Melissa Nepton is boosting her ever-expanding fashion resume with the inclusion of her own custom jewelry and footwear designs on the runway at Toronto's World MasterCard Fashion Week on Tuesday.
The Montreal-based womenswear designer said the accessories are still a work in progress, but are part of her efforts to further build on her brand. Following her special collection for Target's Quebec-based stores last year, the designer is working on launching a holiday capsule collection for Thyme Maternity after previously teaming with the maternity brand on a summer line.
But under the tents at David Pecaut Square, Nepton's namesake collection was front of mind as she continued the trajectory of her fall-winter collection with a nod to stylish, athletic-inspired styles.
The designer drew inspiration from the 1920s "sporty woman," featuring a lush mix of fabrics and textures such as organza, jacquard, silk chiffon and sequins. The line featured a vibrantly hued palette of coral pink, baby blue and turquoise with the garments boasting fluid, loose silhouettes. There was a refined yet relaxed feel to the sheer-panelled shirts, laser cut-patterned shifts, colourfully trimmed tops and cosy athletic-style shorts and pants featured on the runway.
Nepton said she wants to help women feel both comfortable and elegant in their attire.
"If you're sporty or casual, you need to be chic -- you need to be beautiful. So I try to mix those."
