L'Oreal Fashion Week Day 3

Toronto L'Oreal Fashion Week, March 17-22, 2008
Fall 2008 Collections, Nathan Phillips Square

It's only three days in and already the media energy level at Nathan Phillips Square is starting to drop off: many of the bloggers and fashion journalists I ran into were in flats or boots and surprisingly, there are available seats at many of the shows. The only thing still going at full force is the swelling photographer pit at the end of the runway. Less energy spent choosing outfits and schmoozing must translate to longer lasting stamina!

Today I heard the Fur Council of Canada's new campaign line, 'Fur is Green'. OK, we are in Canada and this individuality in fashion we are always striving for is best achieved if we nurture our fashion roots - but 'Fur is Green'?! Make your own decisions, but no matter the trends, it is still cruel and unneccesary in 2008 to cage and kill animals for style, in my humble opinion. Ethics aside, the FCC presented a fur collection to be thankful for; beautiful craftsmanship, innovation and longevity. And they support humane trapping (eek), renewable resources and income for aboriginals...

7 p.m. Comrags
Today I discovered a new idea of beauty at the Comrags fall 2008 showing - a collection which also seems to have an ideal 'Canadiana' feel to it. I'm sure some of this had something to do with the prairie-like sophistication of the models (think Cate Blanchett) and the simplicity in styling (sculptural twig brooches and mens John Fluevog footwear), but I actually liked the Comrags overall look of brown, grey and navy. Now, not everyone can get into such a dull palette, but designers Joyce Gunhouse and Judy Cornish always find a way to really inject emotion into subdued foliage printed frocks, signature print overcoats, and crinkly crepe skirts. There was the simplest, yet perfect little black dress; and several skirts and trousers with muddled hemlines, as if the lass wearing them waded through soggy Sleepy Hollow.

8 p.m. Andy The-Anh
"Oh my gosh, it's Tina Turner", said the woman next to me as the music blared and models balancing on the highest of heels teetered to the end of the runway! What an awesome way to wake up the crowd at the end of a long day (I vaguely remember Ms. Jeanne Beker dozing off at the The-Anh show last season) than to turn up the lights and put on some rocking tunes!
As I watched Andy The-Anh fall 2008 collection, I could only imagine what the fashion editors were thinking - "*yawn* it's been done, nothing new". But as a fan of much needed glamour and interest in Canadian fashion (although even Andy toned it down a lot this season), there were a few things that caught not only my attention including impressive 8-gore jackets, a plethora of extended, accentuated waistlines and refreshing blue sheers used in goddess gowns and blouses. The-Anh's clothes always make me think of soap opera ladies...

www.torontostreetfashion.com/fashionevents/fashionweek_fall2008.html