Avid fashionistas knew to skip the Santa Claus Parade on Sunday, November 19, 2006 and make a beeline for the Design Exchange building, where the Style Revolution Show was being held. Hosted by Goldfish & Company, the Elle Canada-sponsored show was definitely worth the $5 price of admission. Well-organized and the perfect size for an afternoon of shopping, showrunners Nikki Goldman and Carrie Fisher hit the mark with their mixture of stylish location, simple set-up, and of course, beloved Toronto designers.

I picked up a great pair of gauchos by Snoflake aka Debbie Sutton, who has been doing gauchos since way before gauchos became the thing again (tulip pants, anyone?). At $55, they were a steal and a half. I almost cried walking away from Zoran Dobric's hand-painted blazers—showstoppers for your next soiree. A ruched satin shirt dress and black blazer (both $25!) by Fierce, a Toronto-based company that is opening a store at the prime location of Queen and Spadina next month, made me reach for my wallet yet again. Designer Ilona Hassan's first ready-to-wear line, complete with some of the most stunningly well-tailored mid-length winter coats had me wishing my pockets were a little deeper and Dagg & Stacey's always impressive trousers and knit-tops with oversized cowl necks were also highlights.

As for accessories, Wilk Design's whimsical sterling silver creations caught my eye, as did Dutchess & Harlot's adorable semi-precious stone drop necklaces with little heart-shaped bottles on the end. I've been going to shows like Style Revolution for years now, and I find them some of the nicest shopping experiences I have. Not only do I get non-mall clothing at decent prices, but I also get to meet designers and other fashionable Torontonians while gawking at gorgeous stuff. There are tons of opportunities to form friendships with designers you like, and voice your opinions to people who will really take it to heart—and their sewing machines. I often wonder why more people don't stop by—the Toronto fashion community is small, but trust me, it's thriving.