Toronto designer aims to make tie-dye back in style

Projected images of jellyfish floated along the bare walls of a Dufferin Street warehouse last night, creating a calm and serene atmosphere for the audience in attendance at Ashley Rowe's spring/summer 2011 presentation.

Rowe has taken her craft to a new level this season - the 12 psychedelic, tie-dyed looks actually ran cohesively into one another, with each garment a burst of power-pigmented pink, violet, magenta, blue, green.

Rowe's hip, charming father Colin stood proudly on the sidelines, commenting "I feel like the Beatles have gone to India. It's the seventies and everyone is popping LSD." You could indeed feel a hippie vibe, but it's modern, too. The models' icy matte pouts and woven silver headbands brought a classic elegance to this contemporary collection.

Perhaps it's my moonchild aesthetic, but this collection got me giddy with excitement for upcoming spring fashions. As separates or as lone piece, all sorts of downtown chicks - hippie or hardcore fashionista - can saunter down city streets in these clothes. Pair the high drawstring high-waisted skirt with a simple white tank or the flowing magenta gown with a wedged heel--the possibilities are many.

Writing by Sarah Miles. Photos by Jenna Wakani courtesy of Ashley Rowe