Live in Colour

Nicole Stewart

Janet Hill takes us through a kaleidoscope of colours, with blue, green, purple, and turquoise. Playing with controlled volume and vibrant colours, this is one label that I want one of everything of for my closet.

“The inspiration for the spring collection came from a design trip to Japan,” says Janet. “The people there, especially the youth culture, were completely drawn to Americans. They emulated California style in a totally bizarre and cool way.” But with garments like the purple Samurai dress, it is clear that Janet is in league of her own.

During her fashion design studies at Ryerson, Janet interned at Toronto Fashion Incubator with designer Hannah Melville of Wonderlust Clothing. “Working with Hannah definitely inspired me to start my own line.”

Launching her first collection this season, Janet Hill is one label we don’t want to see disappear anytime soon. The silk, jersey and dip dyed silk dresses, tops and tunics make us weak in the knees.

“I have made far too many fashion faux pas to even recount,” says Janet, but we don’t believe her for one moment. “I would dress up for high school in Calgary, Alberta so I stuck out like a sore thumb in my stilettos, leather skirt, ruffled silk blouse and big scarf. I was sent home from school once for wearing a one-shoulder top and I stomped home to tell my mom that the secretary obviously knew nothing about fashion.”

So what is this fashion maven’s weakness? “Holt Renfrew is my happy place,” she tells GLOSS. “There is a beautiful pink dress on the second floor. I don’t even know how much it costs, but I frequently find myself in there just staring longingly at it.”

And who are we kidding? We have a weakness of our own and there is really no way we can pick between the Samurai, Horseshoe, or Vine dress. Pick up the Janet Hill collection in Toronto at TNT Blu, Pho Pa, Boutique Le Trou or visit www.janethilldesign.com for more information.