Arlen Gruszczynski

All Dressed is Arlen Gruszczynski's own label. She is an accomplished couture with an education in historical costume and can handle any kind of special request. Arlen has created everything from original costumes for bands, film, television to tiny puppets and enormous mascots, and replicas for those of us with a taste for authentic Hallowe'en costumes. She also handles custom-fit corsetry, bridal and evening wear. This is Arlen's second year coordinating the Mardi-Bras runway show.

 

Carlos Avalos

 

Carlos Avalos is a Toronto-based photographer servicing the corporate, private and public sectors. In business for over a decade, Carlos has built a reputation for delivering exceptionally high quality images to his diverse range of clients. His work has been published in various magazines, both here in Canada and in the United States. For a more complete look at his image stock, please visit carlosavalos.com.

 

Deanna Partridge-David is a graduate of the Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design in Vancouver, with a BFA in animation. She worked as an animator, and puppet fabricator for several years and her credits include the Gemini award-winning Poko. She is presently on an animation hiatus since she and her husband Graeme had a son named Max. They live in Coquitlam, BC, where she runs her home-based business creating original art and illustration for children... Well, actually her bio says she creates art for children, but Deanna's work has so much personality, humour and charm, it's enjoyable for everybody.

Eileen Earnshaw-Borghesan

Eileen is a multi-media Artist who spreads her time among many diverse artistic disciplines. She is a professional set and costume designer, a fine art and technical theatre instructor. Eileen dedicates her contribution to Mardi-Bras to her friend Heather and her mother-in-law Ninfa. "Birth, life, death, intertwined struggles and joys, compassion and sacrifice, strength and gentility, ever nurturing. The gift of womanhood. Its victories and tribulations. Always heartfelt. Never forgotten."

Harley Sparx

According to legend, when Sparx officially dennounced the title of Intergalactic Grim Dandy, those about were at a loss. It is said a real artist creates beautiful things and puts nothing of his own life into it...  Unfortunately, those in charge were oblivious to this, and Sparx was promptly shipped away to eighteen months of electric shock treatment. It was guaranteed this would fry the fairy clean out of her, but all it did was make her go bonkers whenever she heard an electric guitar. Remember dearies, style always wins out in the end… And don’t let them tell you it’s not natural!

 

A recent graduate from the George Brown fashion design and millinery programs, Heather started her own business specializing in custom design. Heather specializes in corsets, historical costumes, millinery and bridal/eveningwear. Heather dedicates her Mardi-Bra to her Mum, for all her love and support.

Heather Kuzyk

Heather is a graduate of the Sheridan College School Of Craft & Design, Ceramic Art Program. Currently she is working as a childrens' art instructor at the Burlington Art Center. A 5-year breast cancer survivor, one of Mammy Gram's Girls and participating in her third Weekend To End Breast Cancer, she dedicates her bra to all women whose lives have been touched by breast cancer

Jennifer Fukushima

Jennifer Fukushima grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, where the only clothing options were cookie cutter fashions from the local mall and secondhand findings from the Salvation Army Thrift Store. In search of something different, she began surfing the internet, perusing crafty DIY sites like Sparkle Craft and Epitome Girl. At the age of seventeen, Fukushima decided to launch her own line, Paper People. Paper People Clothing is an eco-friendly women's wear line. All designs are made from recycled clothing or using eco-friendly/sustainable fibers. Paper People is available at independent boutiques in Toronto and across Canada.

Julie Faulkner

 

Julie is one of the original 4 Mammy Gram's Girls, Mardi-Bras coordinator and, this year, is taking on her 3rd Weekend To End Breast Cancer. She's an animator by day and, when she’s not mooching for breast cancer, spends her time drawing comics and trying (vainly) to weasel out of going to the gym. We suspect the whole Mardi-Bras/Mammy Gram's thing is just a marginally clever excuse for dodging exercise.

 

Kaharamana

Kaharamana - pronounced like Sahara and Arabic for blue diamond - has been a belly dance performer for the past 10 years. Kaharamana has performed all over, from the Middle East to Las Vegas. She is presently a certified dance instructor in Burlington, Ontario, teaching dance and belly fitness at Cedar Springs Health Club. She performs for corporate events, grand openings and ladies' nights,  and teaches group and private classes. Her Student Troupe Habibi also performs at various events in the GTA and is always looking for new dancers!

 

Karen Killbride

Karen is a classically trained animator and illustrator. Her career includes credits with Disney and Warner feature animation. Presently, Karen’s time is occupied with her wonderful family and job, yet she still manages to squeeze in a little time to be creative! Karen dedicates her Bra, as always, to Heather and Jodi, who are at the top of her list. Then, to the memory of darling Michelle and the future her tiny children face without her.

Kropserkel

A Canadian-based creative studio serving the entertainment industry and private clients with physical artefacts. Our group of skilled and seasoned craftsmen are proficient in working with all forms of media, and are each well recognized as leaders and pioneers in their respective fields.
Kropserkel is creative workshop that designs and fabricates props, costumes, and other curiosities. Our licensed Metropolis Robot, the 'Maschinenmensch' will be completed later this year.

Leanne Forsythe

 

Since childhood, Leanne has felt a special calling to the imaginative power of archetype, and has devoted much time and study in her adult life to further understand the mysteries of our universal story. She considers the time she spends reading the cards as a spiritual practice, intended to shine a light on situations in our lives that can confound us if we do not recognize the richness and complexities that surround our circumstances.

Lisa Farinaccio

Cherrylicious Designs is owned and operated by Lisa Farinaccio.  Raised in a city just outside of Toronto, Canada.  Lisa grew up watching her mother and grandmother create beautiful pieces of clothing.  As a small child always drawing and creating outfits it was obvious to Lisa that she wanted to become a designer.  After graduating from George Brown Collage in Fashion Design, she went on to take private course work in Costume Design.  She currently works in theatre.

Lola Leo

Lola is an award-winning animation director who enjoys the meditative practice of working within the medium of glass. Presently, she is embarking on a 30 beads in 30 days challenge and her work is beautiful.  In addition to being one of our artists and models, Lola's company, Lola By Design is one of our very generous sponsors to the silent auction! This is Lola's second Mardi-Bras and third year as a Mammy Gram's Girl!

Lynn Dana Wilton 

 

Lynn is a stop-motion animator and also prepares animation cell collections for appraisal. She depends on monsters to keep away a lot of problems.

Mylissa Prisner

Mylissa Prisner is a Toronto-based nursing student and professional photographer. This is her second year contributing to Mardi Bras as both model and artist. Mylissa dedicates her creation to her grandmother, Lee Prisner, who lost a breast to cancer this past spring. "When I was a girl my grandmother introduced me to art through painting and also the joys of bird watching. My grandparents' marriage and the love they share even now after my grandfather’s death has been a defining part of my grandmother's life ever since they fell in love through letters during WWII."

Patte Rosebank

 
Randy Alexander

Wendy is a graphic designer out of Thunder, Bay Ontario, where she was born and raised. When she's not thinking about Hawaii, she enjoys fishing, hiking camping, scrapbooking and spending time with her four cats. In the fall she and her husband are looking forward to welcoming the first new addition to their family!

Winnie Wong

A cool cat, in World War Two, would refer to a Pin-up girl photo as ‘Cheesecake’. Betty Grable was the number one Cheesecake girl with the soldiers. She was not only a hot babe but she reminded them of what they were fighting for back home. I’m proud to say that the Pin-up Girl transmits sex appeal – in the purest sense – and represents women embracing their sensuality. I dedicate my bra to Betty Grable – the girl with the ‘million dollar legs’ who was better than ‘cheesecake’.