Mac, it's so true what you say about Canadian designers! Canadian consumers need external validation- they will buy Canadian, but only AFTER a brand has had success outside our borders. It's sad, and strangely doesn't seem to apply to other areas like music or art. We'll happily support Canadian artists in that respect, so why not with fashion?
(There is the issue that producing clothing in Canada is pricy, and therefore the clothes are often more expensive than they would be if designed/made elsewhere. Even in the big cities, our population doesn't have enough high-fashion consumers to really move much of anything.)
Maya, you are SO right about the men thing! When I was in NYC in May, I was so impressed by all the gorgeous, stylish women. I saw literally scores of them every day, and was completely blown away. But I can count the number of good-looking, stylish and well-put-together guys I saw on one hand.
Here in Europe it's more equal- when I go out in London I see just as many stylish guys as girls. That is probably one of the reasons I fell for my boyfriend; a fashion-loving Brit definitely stands out in Toronto, too!
