A new non-gendered, high-end elevated streetwear brand hits the streets of Toronto

By: Monserrat Quintana

Costa Dumitras just participated in his first fashion show and he’s making waves in the Toronto fashion scene. 

In a vibrant showcase, this 19-year-old fashion designer and fashion student from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) displayed a limited-edition 10-piece collection of curated streetwear for the next generation.

Taking place at OBJX studio, the event featured an array of designers before Dumitras showcased his collection, under the Krater name.

Live music, played by a group of Dumitras’ music classmates from TMU, strung the show’s ambiance together, with electric guitar and original beats fulfilling an evidently sought-after rockstar aesthetic. 

Although Dumitras´ designs are non-gendered, the collection was shown in a men-only fashion show entitled “Stallion 2.0” which became part of the second fashion show for Stallion TO.

“I’m the change,” said Dumitras. “This is a new movement of fashion… My clothes are for the world, not a specific group.”

This Romanian-Canadian fashion designer has been working on the brand Krater since April of this year. But Dumitras achieved his first fashion show and collaborated with the well-known brand HendrixRoe.

“He is absolutely delicious in every sense,” says HendrixRoe head designer Jordan Aaron Mackay on working with Dumitras. “He is so dedicated to his work. The phenomenal patterns and garments he makes are the definition of perfection.”

With an inspiration based on classic looks, Dumitras brings the skater and rocker influence to his clothing.

“Before I started Krater, I was lacking direction, vision and purpose,” said Dumitras. “Now I see it and I know it will be big. The fine line between edgy and rocker has brought a tasteful aesthetic to [my designs].”

Sustainability also functions as an anchoring facet of Dumtrias’ brand, with the designer routinely relying on used and second-hand clothing. Dumitras had a long journey to finding a way of making his business both environmentally and socially conscious and one of his goals was to refrain from outsourcing and relying on the subjugation of the Global South for inexpensive labour. 

“I will not support any exploitation of human beings,” said Dumitras.

These unique pieces of clothing range between $40 to $200 Canadian dollars. The clothes are sewn at his house and produced with a traditional-silkscreen print giving a distinctive aesthetic. Not only did Dumitras produce his clothing, he also worked on modeling it, all in an effort to create the incomparable growth of Krater.

“After I achieved my first three components, Krater became a movement, an image for the next generation of fashion,” said Dumitras.

The designer expects his brand to keep growing with inspiration from his idols and friends. Jacob Ursomarzo, a TMU student and Dumitras’ friend, recently launched his underwear collection joining Dumitras’ on their fashion journey.

Dumitras expects to show new pieces for the next Spring/Summer collection.

“I started this business with the vision of welcoming people to feel comfortable with using edgy clothes and accessories,” said Dumitras “This is the next generation’s aesthetic.”