I'm in the media lounge now and have just missed the David Dixon show. Up next is the ever-popular Bustle show where our very own Jeanne Beker will be part of the show... not walking the runway, mind you (though she's no stranger to that scene - see TFW Fall 2008 Heart Truth Show). Shawn Hewson and wife, Ruth Promislow always kniw how to put on a show! Stay tuned!
-- Michelle Villagracia is the web producer for FashionTelevision.com. She will not be walking or posing on any runway.
It's the last night of Toronto Fashion Week and admittedly, it felt different from previous years. Could it be because FT didn't set up shop there this season? Or, liike many fashion trends, this too changes from season to season?
In any case, tonight is the last night of fashion week and I'm capping it off with the 2nd Women x Women photo exhibition. It's a nice change of pace to the usual rush in, grab seat, ooh-and-ahh then leave. Not that I'm knocking the fashion week process, it's just... I did that already.
Anyway, tonight belongs to women - Canada's top female photographers display their work and are honoured for it. This is also sure to be a multimedia experience so I'm looking forward to that!
-- Michelle Villagracia is the web producer for FashionTelevision.com. She's a woman. Photographer? Not so much.
I guess this is an official seating card...
The show opened with a short black and white film on the screen in French – were the subtitles accurate? “It’s Biddell,” elle parle. The film may or may not have ended with someone saying “You can all suck my b*lls.” You go ahead and fill in that asterisk with whichever vowel you wish.
The first few pieces had shades of Gareth Pugh if the only material he had on hand was a Lichtenstein painting... if Lichtenstein painted Aha videos. That sounded like a snarky comment but the truth is I love that comic book style print.
The collection paired bold prints (from 60s pop art to woodland nymph) with iridescent black pants (puffy or tight) made from a material not yet identified at first glance.
I do have to ask myself “is it wearable?” This is where design and art over power wearability and practicality. Biddell shows he’s innovative with design and use of fabric, textures and the like. It may not be something to wear to the grocery store but it does beg to be displayed, preferably on the human body. The room agreed as Biddell receives a standing ovation.
--Michelle Villagracia is the web producer for FashionTelevision.com. She wants to wear Aha comic book art all the time.
The moments during a show (while waiting for the next one) is always relaxing. For starters, the media lounge (tiny or roomy) is delightfully empty. Not that I have a problem with my fellow fashion media folk but we can all agree that the crammed space can easily make things stressful.
Anyway, coming up is Evan Biddell. I've never gone to one of his shows yet so this is a bit of a treat for me. I've heard a lot of good things about both his shows and his collection. We've passed the point of having to identify him as "that winner from Project Runway" -- of course, I just did but it was to prove a point... he has transcended away from that title and truly has become a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry (most recently, opening Oz Studio this week).
-- Michelle Villagracia is the web producer for FashionTelevision.com. She doesn't watch reality television.
The first show of the season I attended was preloved, a local boutique shop that creates one-of-a-kind clothing from reclaimed vintage fabrics. Who knew knitwear can be sexy? Well, seems like a trend of the fall 2010 collections is pairing thigh-high leg warmers with sky-high heels. Well played preloved, well played.
Outside of the runway room, which allowed so much more elbow room, the fashion crowd was buzzing about. The media lounge seemed to have gotten smaller from when I remembered – perhaps this too is the trend as our electronic devices are also reducing in size.
The space is much larger than past fashion weeks – almost like a glammed up trade show complete with David Dixon’s Barbie army...
And before I sign off from this entry, I leave you with this mannequin donning a dress made of macaroons. This has plus and minuses all over it...
-- Michelle Villagracia is the web producer for FashionTelevision.com. She will be getting herself a cup of tea to drink while she devours that macaroon dress.
And you guys do not care. Well, it has been a little over a year since I set foot in the tent and from what I've been told, it's been moving around quite a bit. This season it's at the Allstream Centre located at the Exhibition Place.
What I'm looking forward to: - The usual suspects: Andy The-Anh, Pink Tartan, Joe Fresh, David Dixon and Bustle - Taking the opportunity to actually share my unfiltered thoughts and more filtered opinions on the collections - The Women x Women photo exhibit (read more!)
What I'm not looking forward to: - The insane crowds of people (then again, my last stint at Fashion Week was at Nathan Phillips Square so maybe the elbow space has been fixed) - The hours at the office after the hours at the tent
So here's to a week of celebrating the best in Canadian fashion. Let's do this!
I'm waiting for Ula Zukowska to start. I think the last day is really a huge rush for people. Here we go. The lights are down.
Shades of grey. Cool tights; fish nets with blue flowers, I would totally wear that. More grey. Purplish grey... ha. The music is low-key classical. Oooh. A pop of red - ie the belt.
Mashes of texture. Ula is very organic. Graphic prints on linen. Really urban collection. IS that linen? Hmmm I can't tell from up here. About 5 rows from the top.
Lots of leggings. More leggings. You can't go wrong with leggins in this city. Seriously. People love leggings. I don't think that trend will ever die.
Ula is interesting. Moody. It feels like rainy weather (or maybe that's just the actual weather talking). Tip #1. Always grab an aisle seat if you want to escape quickly after a show. I bumped into Mel, our wonderful photographer who has been working 17 hour days! She has a normal 9-5, and then comes here! What a go-getter! Alright the media lounge is way too crowded. Going back to the show room. OMG. They have a guy cleaning the runway - with a spray-n-scrub mop - don't want to say what brand... Advertising isn't free! I've seen enough stylish people this week to know that it is always a good idea to pair skinny jeans, a graphic tee and a suit jacket... that's tip #2. Gotstyle Menswear is about to start - can't wait to get my fill of eye candy. Haha. Just bumped into one of the guys who works at the bank across from work. Everyone who is anyone is here. He is a very stylish guy - I think he trumps a lot of people at his work. Sets the bar really high. The show starts. It's really relaxed and fun. LOL. One model wearing white jeans and blue bomber - which is killer - had a neon green feather on his bum... I definitely don't think that was intentional. Six-packs! Do I see six-packs? Everyone is cheering. Clearly wearing only briefs is a hit - Tip # 3 (for the guys) Hey isn't that the Style By Jury Host? What's his name? What is his name? Bruce Turner. Right. Wow. Ben Mulroney is in the show wearing a suede suit jacket. Nice. Everyone loves him. I don't get why he stopped in the middle of the runway to pretend he was in shock? Come on! You do things like this all the time! Fun show. It's nice to see some models smiling and having a good time. I think each show is about half hour behind now. Lucian Matis is about to start. A girl from CosmoTV is beside me. Apparently Lucian is really upset - had plans for an elephant in the show - couldn't get it welded in time. He actually went to the Bowmanville Zoo to make a replica of an elephant? Really? Hmmm.. Ill have to check with my sources. Do I have sources??? Well there is a bunch of Bowmanville Zoo reserved seating - so quite possibly. Alright creepy music. Ahh it's circus music. Kind of freaky. Well when you're Lucian Matis you better shock your audience. Nice fabrics. Lots of movement. Silky textures. What is that head trap? Glad I am not afraid of clowns. Couple tees with clowns on them, one holding a guitar. Hey - there's an elephant in his video. Lots of grey, white, cream. Yellow. Nice jersey dress. A couple girls behind me can't stop raving about his new line. They absolutely love it. And you know what? So do I! That's a wrap for me. Until next time...
-- Jocelyn N.
It's officially the last day of FW. Just arrived and it is insane in here! The music is a cool vibe, really setting a hip mellow mood. I feel better today about my outfit - black jeans, black blazer, blue lace cami.... and of course my pewter cowgirl boots... Just waiting for Jessica Biffi to start. This place is packed! I didn't do a background on JB so I guess I am in for a surprise. Just saw one of the organizers wearing a faux fur vest - it's brown... not sure if I would ever feel comfortable wearing that - but I guess if I ever wanted to, LG Fashion Week is the place to do it. Just spotted extreme shoulders in the front row! Ha! I love extreme shoulders.. Jessica Biffi is starting! Definitely a futuristic feel - her collection uses a lot of hard lines, neons, the show started with a black light dress. Interesting... Ok.,. the model wearing short shorts shouldn't having been wearing those.... They were too small so there was some bulging... Not a good look - she was super slim too! Ok... so JB is going for a bizarro world... I would definitely wear her new line (if I was bizzaro Jocelyn). It's nice to see creativity though! I have seen a lot of black, white and pink combos... some original, some repetitive. So 5 stars for originality! Next show please!
The Hype of Fashion Week in Toronto - alright, so I've never really jumped on that horse and carriage before... ever... but I do love beautiful clothing, creativity and artistic-minded people.
When I arrived at Shaw and King, I started to understand why Sheri, my colleague, enjoys hitting up events, and gets so enthusiastic about great things happening in Toronto. This is soooo cool!
I am totally thrilled to be here - the music is pumping, chatter in the background, lights, cameras, fashionistas everywhere!
Immediately I spotted FashionTelevision's designated area - and Glen Baxter! Whew! Someone I know... Rain Anthology was just about to start so I grabbed a seat in the middle, I think next show I'll sit more towards the end of the runway. Better photos there.
The music started. "It's like raindrops".
A model wearing a pink blouse and white shorts started the show. After that it was clear Blaine Degannes is inspired by feminity. His goal is to enhance a woman's body, make her feel comfortable and sexy.
Sheer blouses in lime green, yellow, paradise blue, pink, and sensual silk skirts. I absolutely loved the sheer blue tank and pink patterned skirt. But I don't think I can pull it off - I just don't feel comfortable not wearing a bra... but I guess fashion is open to interpretation.. hmm maybe I could throw a nice white tank underneath??
I didn't realize how fast these shows were - 15 mins!
To sum it up Rain's new collection is definitely about hot breezy summer nights on the beach with a martini in hand. On to Aime.