LG Fashion Week in Toronto – Fall 2009 Collections
Daniel Wilson

LG Fashion Week is back, bigger and better than ever this season with a double floor tent holding court in Nathan Phillips Square. Most notable of the opening night Barbie celebrations was Robin Kay’s flawless speech. ‘Show Love’ was the only response anyone could have to her short, elegant and funny talk, “I’m gonna stick to the script this time”.

The vibe in the tent was hot hot hot as thousands packed into a venue that is growing too small by the season (Toronto Sky Dome anyone?), dressed to the nines and ready to cheek kiss and mingle in a social blender. I noticed Marlene Shiff of now-closed Boutique Le Trou fame looking like a 1940s movie star with big, gorgeous hair and Kealan Sullivan of 69 Vintage playing the rock star in faded jeans and an over-sized blazer. Vanja Vasic, artistic director of Toronto Alternative Fashion week rocked in as the tent’s enfant terrible and Nina Arsenault (Canada’s most fabulous transsexual) gave a breath of fresh air by breathing life into Barbie as her living manifestation. Even designer Pat McDonaugh looked fresh in jeans (gasp!) and a black blazer.

Over all Toronto Fashion Week (no matter what you call it) came back strong as a stylish summer camp. The city’s most fashionable and most fabulous all get together twice a year in a giant tent, pissing in outhouses and shivering outside in the dark, to celebrate what Toronto has and what our style will be.

I end my brief first day feeling elated and renewed by the big family reunion. Feeling slightly drained after the amazing and beautiful, but far too long, David Dixon show. And feeling like if I was wearing a hat I would need to take it off and tip it to Robin, who despite all the controversy and catty attacks has proven that she can pull of something no one else can. Show some love Toronto.
(We will see if I am as chipper tomorrow without that wonderful champagne in a can!)

p.s. Jeannie Beker had some small Asian child on her lap for the David Dixon show… Maybe it was like designer clothes celebs can just borrow for events or maybe she’s Canada’s Angie.

Tags: fall2009