Oct
20
To celebrate Toronto’s fashion week, 13 Canadian designers are banding together for a special sale in Liberty Village. Ethereal frocks from Lucian Matis, feminine wares from Karamea and tailoring from Phillip Sparks will hang alongside quirky handbags from Mirjana Scepanovic and more. With all this talent right at home, isn’t it about time you welcomed them into your wardrobe? The venue is just a walk from the LG Fashion Week tents, so we’ll be dashing in between shows for a quick outfit change. See you there! Thursday, Oct. 22 and Friday, Oct. 23 4-9pm, Saturday, Oct. 24 11am-6pm. 66 Fraser Avenue, Toronto.
For a peak at what the designers could be offering, check out their latest collections on our Canadian Designer Directory.
Oct
19
Okay, fashion week prep: Haircut? Check. Drycleaners? Check. New season shopping trip? Check, check, and, um, check. Sitting under the tents in Toronto now that it’s finally our turn to host fashion week deserves a couple new outfits, no? Today the fashion frenzy gets underway with the first shows hitting the runways at LG Fashion Week’s new venue on King West. The buzz is already in the air! So I’m getting ready by making a list of the things I’m most looking forward to this week. Here’s my top 5.
1) The Art of Fashion – VAWK by Sunny Fong (last year’s Project Runway Canada winner) will present its collection at the stunning Art Gallery of Ontario. Can’t wait to see how he makes use of the space. And his needle and thread, of course.
2) Big Name, Big Bash – David Dixon, Pink Tartan, Joe Fresh Style, NADA and Lucian Matis will be staging shows for their smash hit labels, and it always results in a raucous affair.
3) Brides to Watch – Two new additions to the schedule are bridal designers. Will we see something a bit different on the runway? Premiere-worthy gowns would be fantastic to see. Excited to see what Reva Mivasagar (a Central Saint Martins grad who sells at Bergdorf’s) and Romona Keveza (a Canadian designer who has dressed Angelina Jolie for the red carpet) can do to up the glitz ante.
4) Knitwear Nut – I love Paul Hardy and am so glad to see him making his way out here from Calgary to show his latest collection. He recently added statement necklaces to his repertoire so I’m expecting some serious accessorizing.
5) The September Issue – A chance to reflect on the crazy, wonderful world putting a magazine together in plusher times and how the economy doesn’t change much about our jobs. Fashion never sleeps. Even when Bay Street does.
Check out our Canadian Designer Directory for more info on all our homegrown talent.
- Elisa Kosonen
One of the best things about fashion week in Toronto, is the lead up to the start of the official schedule. Collections launch, runways are staged, and the party begins. Last night Toronto design duo Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill took over the massive Audi dealership in the East End to show their spring line up. Walking into the underground parking garage that had been morphed into a massive runway, complete with cars and traffic cones, felt a bit like stepping onto and action movie set. It was clear we were in for a wild ride. The show started with a “Scream” as Michael and Janet Jackson blared from the speakers, and the models hit the catwalk. Unfortunately, the Bang & Olufsen speakers didn’t quite live up to their reputation with a few sound glitches along the way. But, let’s get down to what’s important: the clothes.
What I loved:
Photo: George Pimentel
Racing Stripes Models came down the runway two by two, with the first set showing off some seriously body-con looks in black with white patent trim speeding along the contours of the body. Looked fresh, but powerful, for spring.
Photo: George Pimentel
Draping We’ve been loving the look for fall and with Greta’s ruched jersey, floor-skimming skirts, it’s here to stay in our wardrobes.
Leather A few of the hard leather accessories were perhaps a bit severe for a spring day, but the soft grey leather blazer with tennis ball shoulders? Positively light and airy.
Photo: George Pimentel
Maribou Flights of fancy are always a treat to see floating along a runway, and the beautifully full skirt and jacket combo hit the mark.
Photo: George Pimentel
Dream Weaver Using horse hair, Kirk and Stephen wove intricate braids into statement pieces. Loved the three looks that strutted out at once, especially the woven stole that slung over the model’s shoulder and served as her top.
Oct
02
Spotted: Michelle Trachtenberg showing her love for Canadian design in a chic Smythe tuxedo blazer on the Today Show this morning to promote Gossip Girl. Word is Serena… oops we mean, Blake Lively has ordered four styles from the fall collection by Toronto design duo Christie Smythe and Andrea Lenczner. Prepare for Smythe domination on the Upper East Side.
Full disclosure? It’s already taken over the FLARE offices. I’m wearing this blazer as I type! You can get yours at Holt Renfrew. www.smythelesvestes.com
Sep
24
Lady Gaga would approve. Greta Constantine showed this fierce, pants-less ensemble on the runway for The White Cashmere Collection 2009 at Toronto’s St. Lawrence Hall yesterday. You would never know it’s made of bathroom tissue. The Toronto design duo was one of 15 stellar Canadian labels to create looks for the 6th annual show that benefits the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Carlie Wong and Evan & Dean both showed covetable – and wearable! – pieces. Each and every frilly frock, tailored suit and sexy mini strutting down the runway was constructed completely out of Cashmere tissue. Click here to check out the show. To do your part for the cause, dress up your bathroom and stock up on the Cashmere Couture collection next month. The limited edition Pink tissue will give 25¢ for each package sold. www.cashmere.ca
