Thursday, March 26, 2009

Best of Fashion Week: Andy The-Anh






Images: www.fashion.com

Andy The-Anh Rules Canadian Fashion

For me, the crème de la crème of Fashion Week was Canadian designer Andy The-Anh. With a colour palate ranging from soft browns and beige to forest green, gold and coral red, he did not disappoint. The looks were just as diverse with evening and cocktail dress to office/day separates to winter jackets. This show got me excited again about leggings, offering them in multiple shades and sequin-encrusted for extra glam. Beautifully tailored beige and white blazers were accentuated with satin ribbon-like lapels. Detail such as satin roses played a role in several looks. This collection had everything from bustiers, a jumpsuit, ruffles, draping and white tights. Definitely the highlight of last week's fashion shows.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Black is still key for Fall/Winter 2009


Left: Lundstrom, Center: Lucian Matis, Right: Nada

Monday, March 23, 2009

Fashion Week is over but the memories are forever

Zoran Dobric
This collection paid homage to the designer's Serbian roots, yet it felt a little dreary even with a few beautifully handpainted garments. Most models wore sheer knee socks (not in a ironic schoolgirl way, but in a this-is-now-stylish kind of way.) I'm not sure if I could see the Toronto fashion elite ever wearing them.

Lundstrom
Fur is, apparently, in vogue again. I'm not a fan, but most models in this show rocked a fur hat or outerwear with fur trim. There were some stunning beige garments, including nude dresses covered in black lace, immaculately tailored and stunning.

Nada
Beautiful People by Marilyn Mason set the tone as Nada took its audience on a dark and strange path. High, swinging ponytails and black lipstick on models in shag trimmed booties in pleather or white tights showcased several high neckline garments. Conservative halter dresses and multi-textured tunics dazzled but the closing gown, in full-on black leather Gothic fashion and shaped with a farthingale for voluminous hips, was jaw-droppingly good fashion.

Joe Fresh
Joe Mimram is Canadian fashion. Love the idea behind Joe Fresh. The collection is very wearable, simple black and white (and red because apparently red is going to be big for Fall), and a little nerdy. My favourite item was the downfilled white skirt.

Pink Tartan
Kim Newport-Mimram always puts on a crowd pleasing show with loads of pretty clothing and this season was pretty much the same. Shiny, skinny black pants and leggings, houndstooth, purple lace stockings and occasionally a burst of neon pink defined this understated collection.

Gaudet
I'm particularly fond of this show because I helped to dress it. Gloriously creative coats constructed out of unusual materials for outerwear. This is the perfect combination of innovation and Canadian winter culture. A great debut!

Carlton Brown
Stacy MacKenzie started this party in a pink bustier and a little ass shaking to the delight of the crowd. Otherwise the collection consisted of classy business and casual men's attire. One exaggerated bow tie, clean lines, fresh and classic colours, sunglasses and canvas runners created a European vibe to this Jamaican-born designer's collection.

Evan Biddell
Another fantastic show starring the legendary Supermodel Stacy Mackenzie. She wore a lemongrass urban-style suit with light draping at the hips of slim pants and zipper trimmed jacket to match. This time it's the end of the world and the models are made to look very Derelicte (Zoolander reference) with gray lip and cheeks. Huge knit scarfs and short leather gloves complimented the looks well. A intense black and white print was repetitively used, including a gown, dress and pants, as well as lemongrass and jewel-toned purple. Sometimes mixed together with great results.

Lucian Matis
This was one of my favourite collections -very powerful - very feminine - very wild.
Wild hair yet wilder accessories. Many models propped with giant antlers (perhaps a Canadian references) and stunning, large horn jewellery by Dandi Maestre. The clothing was elegant and incredibly tailored with details such as visible zippers, draping and sequins. Very sexy without being leather-clad and futuristic.

Quote of the day

"When YOUR 'opinion' gets in the way of my rights, privileges and protections, I'm supposed to smile and be nice? Hell no!"

- Perez Hilton

Friday, March 20, 2009

Last chance for Toronto Fashion Week

Today's shows are like a Project Runway reunion with lots of high fashion but probably no clip montages of their season together.

5pm - Ryerson University's School of Fashion
6pm- Carlie Wong
7pm - Evan Biddell
8pm - Lucian Matis
9pm - Screening of Valentino: The Last Emperor




Ain't nothing but a B thang
Left: Joeffer Caco Right: Barbie by David Dixon
Images: www.fashion.com

Fashion Week - nearly over, but not without a bang!

I hope everyone is enjoying Fashion Week. A event that only graces us with its presents twice a year. Here is a overview of the collections for Fall 2009:

Barbie by David Dixon
David Dixon approached this design challenge with the idea that any women can be Barbie, as long as she's wearing hot pink of course. The models were diversified yet unified in pink and black Barbie heels, now available at Town Shoes. Outerwear played a role in the collection with pink and black houndstooth jackets. Oh and Barbie is a little punk now. Because it's 2009, she wears streetwear to accentuate her evening wear with black armwarmers and floppy hats. Prints were key with black and white florals and graphics, zebra print and a hint of plaid. Three showstopping garments concluded the show with textured folds of fabric flowing down the length of the jacket/gowns.

David Dixon
Working over time, David Dixon managed to also release his signature collection to extremely chic reviews. High necklines on elegant gowns, almost feather-like detailing and clean lines defined the modern yet very wearable collection, besides one misguided jumpsuit. Long sleeve gloves garnished almost every look. The collection will be favoured by today's woman--powerful-flattering-fashionable without trying too hard.

Joeffer Caoc
One of his best collections. Joeffer Caoc is a staple at fashion week, but I always wrote him off as a designer for the more mature crowd. This collection is anything but. From the futuristic, shiny leather-like fabric to the matching knee-highs, it's modern and fresh. He stayed on top of the high in-demand trends such as sheers. I particularly like the form fitting sheer tops with voluminous shoulders (not like the 80s, more like a built-in shrug.) Beautiful!

More to come...

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Fashion Week part deux

Day two's schedule:

3pm Ula Zukowska
4pm Travis Taddeo
5pm Zoran Dobric
6pm Joeffer Caoc
7pm Lundstrom
8pm Bustle (BIO)
9pm Heart Truth Fashion Show (BIO)

Tonight's party de jour is Betsey Johnson's Spring/Summer Collection at Brant House. Music will be featured by DJ Princess Superstar.

Unfortunately today is also St. Patrick's Day! and my love of drinking has (briefly) overpowered my love of fashion. Fashion will not be taking a holiday but I will opt champagne for Guinness at various pubs.

Get ready for hopscotch, knee socks and lunch boxes via Betsey Johnson

Image:www.style.com

Monday, March 16, 2009

Show Love, bitches

Toronto "LG" Fashion Week kicks off today by honouring a 50-year-old fashion icon! Barbie!
5:30pm - Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail
7 p.m. - Barbie Cocktail Party
8 p.m. - Barbie by David Dixon
9 p.m. - Barbie after-party

All events today are by invitation only. The Barbie after-party seems like the most worthy to crash. The real question here is how many pink cocktails can a fashion journo consume in a 5 hour period?

Image: www.funny-potato.com

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Good News

Soon I will be wearing this...

Photo: www.target.com

McQueen, be still my heart

I cannot stop loving Alexander McQueen. He continues to push the envelope forward as other designers play it safe and I think I know why.
Before the gorgeously innovative runway show, McQ for Target premiered in stores across the US. His much-anticipated Target collection debuted March 4th and I believe is nearly sold out. Not a bad idea to offset his overhead from the Paris runway show.

The Fall '09 collection appeared glamorous yet slightly disturbing with clown like make-up and restricting garments. Chic yet constructed with garbage/recyclables. I couldn't even tell the models were wearing drinking cans as headpieces. Click below for further details:

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