Arthur Mendonça is a consummate explorer. In his ten-year career, he has designed gowns inspired by the shores of Italy; jumpsuits lit by Egypt’s ancient wealth; and most recently, sharply tailored suiting based on Japanese origami. However, when asked about the foundation for his eclectic aesthetic, he points to a single source, Toronto, the city that “introduces you to other cultures and backgrounds.” Like Yves St. Laurent before him, who brought soigné French tailoring to Asian markets, Arthur Mendonça brings Canadian diversity to an awaiting world.
Speaking just before the release of his 2013 spring/summer collection, Mendonça made clear the enormous effect these formative impressions have had on his life. Soft-spoken when answering questions directly, Mendonça became animated when speaking about his childhood—a tone that reappeared when discussing the careers of his fashion forbearers, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent. Mendonça’s own career began with a bang. His first runway show, at the 2002 Toronto Fashion Week, contrasted casual street style and formal evening attire, mixing denims with chiffons, all held together by Mendonça’s trademark sharp tailoring. It was the most talked about show of Fashion Week, receiving rave reviews from major magazines, celebrities, and designers alike.
Born in Toronto, Mendonça has always had an eye for fashion. Enamoured with the contrast of matte tailored tops and shimmering voluminous bottoms, he admits Disney princesses were early fashion influences. But it was after moving to São Miguel, Portugal that Mendonça was able to see Toronto with fresh eyes, turning the once familiar landscapes and people of his childhood into sources of inspiration. From Portugal, he moved back to Toronto to study fashion at Ryerson University.
For Mendonça this was just the beginning. He continued to hone his skills by branching out into other design processes. He was invited to study at the prestigious SAGA Design Centre in
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