It’s the last day at the tent and a security guard yells at me, “Pass please?!” he asks. I draw it out from the depths of my bag.
“You need to wear it around your neck!” He demands in that angry flat tone only bouncers can muster. “Ok” I say and hold it in my hand. “Put it around your neck right now!”… Is this what fashion week has become, boot camp?

Once inside I was cheered up immensely by the shows.

Carlie Wong was sexy rock and roll with black on black brocade skinny pants with gold hardwear, tons of metallic silvers and golds and a wearable take on the D&G pyjamas for day. The only problem with the show seemed to be the shoes; none of the models could walk properly. Several of them slipped, a few tripped and one shoes fell right off. The model triumphantly walked down the runway barefoot to lots of cheers and applause and I found myself wishing the rest of them would rebel and go unshod.

Evan Biddel was great – he seems to improve with the seasons. Stacey McKenzie opened the show that included very wearable jersey pieces, wild black white and purple prints, and some terrific denim. Biddel maintained his bad boy image but produced a show where every girl in the world would want something. I’d like one of the jersey tight hoodies for myself.

Before the last show of the season, FDCC President Robin Kay gave her second speech of the week which was again, sober, heartfelt and a little witty. The city’s bitches are going to have to look hard to find something to attack her about this season.

Lucian Matis, I think, fell asleep in a forest and had the most lovely dream. His show was ethereal and woodsy like a fairy tale. The cuts were lovely, if a little safe, and the subtle Edwardian inspiration will make the coats a must have next season. The jewellery however distracted from the clothes. Entire deer antlers around necks and in the hair, shackle like bangles carved from bone and horns wrapped around models throats. (I want one of the rings, but Susie could have done a better job on that show).

Everyone in fur!

Day Four was totally kick ass, largely due to the amazing rock bitch Nada sent down the runway. Models stomped (oddly not pausing at the end to pose so I hope there are still good shots) to the best soundtrack I’ve heard so far this season, Grace Jones’ new single remixed with Manson’s Beautiful People, NIN and an Audio Bullys’ remix of Tiga.

Flaunting a sexy hybrid of Anne Demeulemeester and Rick Owens, girls were donned in black including lips and talon-like nails. I loved the oversized plum coloured coat with mutton sleeves, full skirts with massive silver charm belts and a perfect floor length skirt. And the monkey fur! Well, it was probably goat, but looked very monkey Demeulemeester in a cape and boot fringe. Amazing show, nearly made up for Morales not showing.

People were talking about Carlton Brown, the Jamaican designer who filled up at least a page on Twitter. I watched the show on the monitors – super hot models with pink socks on the runway led by Stacey McKenzie was still only ok, but I’m not sure who would wear and afford it except maybe gay divorce lawyers.

Ed Hardy was full of beautants: beautiful mutants. The abs! Holy hell, the abs! Mind-numbingly sexy but a little inhumanly perfect like they were cut out with a laser. The women were skin, bones and silicone. I was a little confused by the ski jackets with bikini bottoms and swim trunks with wool hats, but the standing room only crowd seemed pleased. I also discovered that there is something really creepy/hot about the combination of chiseled abs, balaclava and swim trunks.

I dashed after the Ed show to the Fashion House where there was already a line up for the Women X Women party and photography exhibit. The packed house included Pam from Fashion Crimes, Derick from The Star, Brooklyn from The FDCC and lots of other fabulous first name only people from fabulous places.

Former designer Ariel Garten won best outfit in my books in a Comme des Garcon tuxedo jacket and vintage Victorian work out pants.Miss Robin made a brief appearance near the end looking resplendent in white fur.

After Fashion House we made the jaunt over to The Spoke Club where mayhem ensued and the beautiful people started glowing (it was quite warm). Lots of lovely boys.

My female designer friends on Facebook were a little discouraged that the newly named ‘FAB 5′ at the Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail to launch LG Fashion Week were all men (Greta Constantine, Mikhael Kale, Philip Sparks, Jeremy Laing and Denis Gagnon ) What to say? All five of these designers have created successful businesses out of creating glamourous, fashionable clothing – and most importantly have succeeded at creating attention and securing press.

Then lastnight, my blogger friends on Twitter couldn’t tweet enough about NADA, a female designer. I wasn’t at the NADA show, but I certainly was intrigued by comments:
“Love NADA blk gown with tendrilled collar. And lastly, what is this, London? Black leather w squared hips? Suddenly avant-garde seems…not.” (Sarah Nicole)
“Crazy good show. Loved the rockstar looks” (Anita)
Even heavy-weight tweeter and Toronto Star writer Derick Chetty said “Nada show was on point – sexy goth rock chick.”

Looking forward to watching the show here on http://www.fashiontelevision.com/micro/fashionweeks/FW09/toronto-video.asp >>

This photo is from Nada’s Spring 2009 Campaign

by Rachel Schwab

As you can tell, Torontostreetfashion.com is NOT covering Toronto Fashion Week for the first time in four years. Daniel (who previously dj’d two seasons at the tent) is still hanging out with the industry peeps a bit and so we’re encouraging him to share any juicy details!

Canadian media and bloggers have truly stepped up this season though – and unlike years’ past, there is a multitude of coverage all over the Internet. Runway videos and photos, interviews, party pix, schedules, designer profiles…can all be found on the links I listed previously. And besides writers like the Ampersand’s Nathalie Atkinson and NOWs Andrew Sardone successfully pump out satisfying reviews much better and more efficiently! Even sites like FASHION Magazine and BlogTO are doing a bit of street fashion. And we think this is fabulous for Canadian fashion.

New, is detailed, step by step thoughts on Twitter. At least a dozen of my friends are constantly ‘tweeting’ about everything from who’s sitting in the front row to overheard rumours to runway style… I can barely keep up with all the ‘insider’ info:) Anyone can catch a tweet or two at Twitter by doing a #lgfw search here >>

Unfortunately we can’t afford to be full-time bloggers (or partyers or fashion events socialites) forever and so I am working on completely slimming down Torontostreetfashion to make it manageable without going into a ‘coma’.

For now though, Happy LG Fashion Week y’all!

by Daniel Wilson

Toronto Fashion Week: Joeffer Caoc – Fall 2009 courtesy of BlogTO.

So my second day at LG Fashion Week was a little brief as I was surprised by a request to dj tonight, but what I did see was noteworthy.

• Susie Love has a new line of jewellery revolving around antique lace (given some special love of course)!
• Fashion week volunteers scrub the runway with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser before each show!
• Shows started on time, or even in a couple alarming cases early!
• The Ula Zukowska show was wearable yet innovative with lots of structure, textures, layers and faux fur all in rust and earth tones. Amazing leather leggings with slouchy bottoms.
• The Travis Teddeo show had lots of sexy, fresh looks and sexy very fresh boy models but overall came across a little American Apparel, but with strange entire dead animals slung over model’s shoulders.
• Zoran Dobric did Neo-Klimt and showed African Cyborg Princesses with tribal necklaces and prints and some amazing mens mesh stuff and vinyl leggings.

Party Night
I managed to make it to a few parties Tuesday night, because really, whats the week without parties?! The Bustle party at Ultra was well attended by the stylish, moneyed set and stripes seemed to be the uniform for the Bustle posy… Sadly I left to go to the Betsy Johnson party which I should have known would be 905, but I wanted to hear Princess Superstar. In and out in under 20mins.

My dj experience at Lobby for the Eye Candy party was also brief, as apparently the owner did not like my mix and wanted to go back to his house dj’s straight guy 905 rap. Sigh.
Does it make me a snob to say I want to go to a fashion week party that is Just fashion week people? The bridge and tunnel crowd kills the vibe and I’m tired of straight girls asking me if I’m really sure I’m gay.

For more LG Fashion Week than you can handle, search #lgfw on Twitter >>

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 terible 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.

Toronto’s newly branded LG Fashion Week kicks off in Toronto today and is sure to to wipe out the hundreds of folks working in the industry by next weekend.

Although public tickets are available for shows, the fashion week crowd is mainly made up of editors, journalists and photographers; the designers and their crews of stylists, models, producers, etc.; the behind-the-scenes executive committee; retailers and buyers; and family and friends of designers.

Most of Canada’s top designers participating include David Dixon, Joeffer Caoc, Pink Tartan, Andy-the-Ahn and Lucian Matis. Local favorites include Comrags, Ula Zukowska and Zoran Dobric. The Joe Fresh showing is sure to draw a standing-room only crowd as is the Bustle collection with its tightly-themed stage show to match the clothes.

During the week, we will be following:

Nathalie Atkinson, The National Post (Ampersand)
network.nationalpost.com

FASHION Magazine
www.fashionmagazine.com/attheshows
as well as tweets at http://twitter.com/FashionCanada

Andrew Sardone, NOW Magazine
http://www.nowtoronto.com

FashionTelevison Videos
www.fashiontelevision.com

BlogTO
http://blogto.com/toronto_fashion_week/

Sarah Nicole Prickett, Torontoist
http://torontoist.com

David Graham/Derick Chetty, Toronto Star
www.thestar.com/living/fashion

plus all our blogger and twitter friends:

• carolyn TFI
• rags and mags
• danielle final fashion
• gail the stylebox
• anita iwant igot

Call it Canadian Pride. Maybe it’s because we haven’t been hit as badly by the Recession as the US – or maybe it’s because Quebecois Soldiers were damn good-looking – but Canadian Pride is in the air and Phil Sparks is leading the pack. Sparks showed his Fall ‘09 collection last week at the historic and newly restored Burroughs building after making his New York Debut last season.

The Burroughs building – where his studio is located as well – is quickly becoming one of the hottest spots for designers and artists to show their work. With it’s brick walls, wooden floors and high beam ceilings it was the perfect space to show off his rustic-Canadian tailoring. He has already earned himself rave reviews from the Star, who labelled him “one of Canada’s preminent menswear designers” and from Holts menswear buyer Andrew Lepp. Despite doubts from some about the ability of designers to show successfully without the media support from LG fashion week, the runway room looked packed to capacity as the show started.

Inspired by the 1936 Russian fairytale ‘Peter and the Wolf’, Sparks clothes are wearable and perfectly tailored, but peppered to the limit with cheeky Canadiana references like hunting sweaters and caps, long johns and of course perfect plaid flannel shirts. Sparks credits many trips to the reference library to research early Canadian costumes for the authentic look of the collection. Boyfriends beware – you’ll have ladies sneaking his stuff into your closets this season faster than you can say “Habitants”!