Mark Adams of Living Planet Studio, and Barry Buckle, instructor at Anna Templeton’s Textiles: Craft and Apparel Design program (and a seasoned multi-disciplinary fashion professional), debuted their first collection over the Canada Day weekend.

Fresh, innovative and relaxed streetwear prowled the catwalk at The Factory, with all the attention to detail of an art showing. The dream team, working together as Future Freek, created a cohesive, beautifully realized live fashion event with 6 models and 80 attendees on hand.

All photos, credit: Dan Smith

Buckle figures this is the 80th live show he’s been involved in. By now he has the chops to keep his models moving smooth and stunning down the runway with no awkward breaks in time with the music and live design elements Adams created for the show.

The aesthetic was beyond tight, achieving interplay between the models, clothes, and runway art, myriad pop colours and textures juxtaposing at unexpected angles.

Adams describes his vision for Future Freek as “edgy, fashion forward, non-gendered funky street wear.” Trendy and urban, he sees the clothes as creating an LA vibe, moving from yoga class to an art or film opening with minimal effort.

The collection consists of bright colour and pattern-blocked shirts, groundbreaking nouveau lounge jackets and logo bearing leggings and tees. Asked about the inspiration for the lounge jackets design Adams says it’s a real opening up for neckline in menswear.

Everything but the logo gear is made by Barry. His technical skill brings Marks knack with fabric and print selection to life. My favourite are shirts incorporating sheer mesh panels, Buckle favours the animal prints, Adams the abstract florals.

The mutual respect between the partners shows. Adams describes his co-conspirator as “a self-driven and prolific designer” and waxes sentimental about Buckle’s productive nature. It’s clear Buckle has the same esteem for Adams’ talent and artistic vision. All stereotypes about the cut throat and competitive fashion scene are demolished here.

Who are they making these clothes for? “Anyone who wants to be different,” I’m told. They’d like to see it worn by unique people celebrating their own personal styles, and it wouldn’t hurt to see more men in pink, or colour generally.

Available online at their website, shirts will range from $60 to $120, remarkably affordable for locally sewn creative casualwear.