Mikhael Kale is a Toronto-based designer and after two seasons his namesake label is sold in Holt Renfrew. He studied in London at Central Saint Martins and worked in Milan. I'm a big fan of his tall, sleek, and sexy style. I had a chance to speak with the designer and pick his brain.

How did you get into fashion?
Funnily, I never 'got' into fashion, it got into me. I have always been drawn to garment design and construction.

When did you start sewing?
Age 10.

What are you inspired by?
Simply everything. Garment design and construction are my first language.

Do you have a design philosophy?
Yes. To express the architecture of existence, and to have this work actuated by women to create their own experience.

Describe the inspiration for Fall 2008?
It was inspired by the strength and plight of the post World War II woman; where construction and colour, or lack thereof, were utilized to shape a position and posture.

Who takes their annual mega sales more seriously, Fashionistas or Crafters? This was going through my head when I saw the email for the More than Just a Yardage Sale. You gotta take the textile artists into account - they will be there in droves. Who's willing to do whatever it takes for that one of a kind piece? That's what I want to know. I know what Umbra fans will.

Alexandra Leikermoser has been a student of yogo for 14 years and made the move to teacher for the last 5 years. Trained in classically Hatha Yoga, she has presented workshops and seminars across the country and the USA.

With that large base of experience she started yogagurl.com in 1996. "I intend for the pieces in the yogagurl to empower women to celebrate their own unique expression," says Alex. There is also an environmental aspect to the line, which incorporates bamboo & organic cotton sourced from the US in order to reduce the carbon footprint.

Welcome to The Shop Crawl, the weekly post where I provide you with a listing of sales for the week. The crawl covers retail, warehouse, and sample sales.

reia N studio Sample Sale. May 7 - 9. 555 Richmond Street West, Suite 706.

Canadian Spirit and Johnny Yiu Designer Sale - May 9 - 10. 130 Commander Blvd, Scarborough.

Next Door's 1st Anniversary Sale. May 10 - 11. 433 Queen Street West.

Rodan Menswear Sample Sale - May 8 - 9. 543 Richmond St. W.

Mode Spring 2008 sale - May 1 - May 18. 632 Queen Street West.

Shimmer's Fun Fabulous Jewelry Sale - April 26 - May 11. 2778 Dufferin Street, suite 103.

Fabric Clearance Centres Moving Sale - Starts on May 1, 2008 till all stock gone. Fabric Clearance Centre, 4884 Dufferin St. Unit 6.

PYA Importer Ltd. Men's and Women's Annual Sample Sale & Inventory Clearance - May 1 - 16. 15 Apex Rd.

Agency One Sample Sale - May 7 - 10. 10 Wingold Ave, 2nd Floor.

C2 Apparel Designer Brands Sample Sale - May 7 - 10. 63 Wingold Avenue Suite 208.

Gsus Sindustries Sample Sale! - May 7 - May 9. 543 Richmond st West.

The Toronto Fashion Incubator New Labels Design Competition kicked off the Elle Show Thursday night at the Direct Energy Centre. The night was a far cry from last year's event. It was a slickly produced venture with a venue that didn't enforce separation between the VIPs and us regular folk. Instead of two rooms (which was the arrangement last year), there was a single elevated runway for all to see the show at the same time. There was seating for most everyone, which was a departure from last year. I chose to stand because I wanted to get better pictures and my seats were too close to the beginning of the runway.

Welcome to Fashion Bites, a weekly round-up of fashion news in Toronto.

Buy Design is on this Saturday, April 26, 2008. Dress in your best Studio 54 outfit and grab a ticket to help the Windfall Clothing Service, Canada's only new clothing bank. Tickets are $75. If you buy 5 you get 1 free.

TFI's new labels Fashion Design Competition and Fundraiser kicks off the Elle Show on Thursday, April 24. Guest tickets are still available for $50. Find out who wins the New Labels contest while raising funds for the Toronto Fashion Incubator. Famous fashion people will be at the Elle Show this weekend. Check out Tim Gunn and Coco Rocha. I really don't understand why they invited Steven Cojocaru, Can you call people who cover celebrities, celebrities?

The Patricia Harris Gallery of Textiles and Costume is now open on the 4th floor of the Crystal. The collection is a good representation of textiles and costumes from across the ages. I was impressed with the Egyptian tapestry square from the 4th century and the perfection that is an Azzedine Alaïa suit.