Gord Downie works with Toronto designers to create custom outfits for tour

Gord Downie has always been a flamboyant showman.For the Tragically Hip's latest tour, he's wearing that style on
his sleeve.

Downie has been sporting a collection of brightly colouredmetallic leather suits during the band's Man Machine Poemtour,which kicked off in Victoria on Friday.

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Izzy Camilleri, a Toronto-based clothing designer, worked on thebold creations with Downie, which include hot pink, turquoise,silver and gold suits.She says she and Downie started collaborating on the looklast September, before he learned he had terminal brain cancer.

According to a spokesperson for Camilleri he'll be wearing three of the outfits during each show.

Downie isn't limiting himself to the metallic leather: he'salso wearing accessories custom-made for him by Toronto designers.There areBob Dylan-inspiredhatsdesigned to match each suit,created byKaryn Gingras of Lilliput Hats, and ankle boots with lyrics from Ahead by a Century lasered into the soles, courtesy of Jeff Churchill of Jitterbugboy.

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Camilleri says Downie kept his wardrobe plans secret from hisbandmates he only revealed his wild look at the tour's kickoff in Victoriaon Friday, when he strode onto the stage in the hot pink suit.

She says Downie wears the suits well and is having a lot of funwith the look.