Sonja Andic's Fashion Week - Wednesday (Envers, Andy, David D)| Thursday (Chulo Pony, Pink Tartan)| Friday (Hibebe)

Day 4 – Thursday, March 16, 2006 – Chulo Pony, Rudsak, Kaadiki, Pat McDonagh, Pink Tartan

You would not believe what happened to me getting ready for the shows today. I am in the bathroom trying to flat iron my hair, put makeup on and get my contact lenses in. As luck would have it, I drop a contact lens [my last one at that] directly on top of one of the hot bits of iron. All I hear is ‘Sizzzzzzzel’. I grab the lens quickly, ascertain that there is minimal damage and proceed to pop the offended contact in my eye. I am aiming to get to the Chulo Pony show at 6pm and a contact lens malfunction is not going to slow me down I swear!

Chulo Pony
As I breeze into the Chulo Pony show, it has already started and the vibe is amazingly serene. The models are floating slowly down the runway on ether. There is quiet in the audience and nobody is stirring. It is a lovely collection, pretty velvet suits and ruffs [oh dear they are everywhere] and pleats. Chulo Pony went out on a global fashion limb for F/W with colour; lots of blue, deep purple, mustard, dark red and gold. They use 1950’s dimensions as well as Indian mystique for inspiration. I think their long winter white coat will be a huge hit. The only drawback with many pieces from this spring-like collection is that they may suit a west coast climate best. I personally love the hair style for this show, big messy bird’s nest hair-dos. I chat with the Fashion File TV crew after the show and they all have this dreamy far away look in their eyes. They say they like it; dig’ in the mellow feelings it delivered.

Now I join in the dash to the media tent for food. It is much better tonight or am I less fussy…no the food is much better. I join up with the Torontostreetfashion.com gang to gossip about all the shows and dramas of yesterday. I share with the team my story of ousting a fashion imposter from a reserved show seat. I am laughingly branded a tattle-tale and the gals find the story hilarious. TSF writer Irene Stickney tells us how she almost got into fisticuffs with a big burly photographer during one of the shows, as he wanted her spot in the pit. Our TSF gal was having none of that bullying and stood her ground. Well done I say!

At this moment Rolyn Chambers from FAB Magazine comes into the media area and commands attention in his technicolor outfit for the night. Rebelling against the austere fashion trends of black, grey and more black, Rolyn is like a walking talking Tonka toy in the brightest of brightest colours. The TSF team is shrieking in delight at this. Rachel is being rebellious as well in her bright acid neon green tights.

I decide to skip the Rudsak show, as there are some other gals reviewing it from TSF and just hang around taking photos and chatting with others who are doing the same. There are huge TV monitors all about the main building so you can see the show from outside no problem. Run into Marlene Schiff from Boutique Le Trou and ask her which party she went to last night. She partied at the SDn'R party and said it rocked! Apparently there was a rock band and everyone looked super cool and stylish – sort of rock, sort of goth. Said she loved the SDn'R party after so many serious fashion shows. I am soooo jealous. There is always such a drama about going to the ‘right’ or the ‘coolest’ after show party. Anyways, Marlene is wearing the most incredible dress by Yoshii – a sort of kimono style design in creamy colours.

I continue to stroll around the Liberty Grand building and bump into Allison from Elite models and Elite intern Heather. We chat about girl stuff, how we all seem to break-out the week before the shows or worse during the shows. Talk about our favorite makeup concealers and cover-up creams. We concur a good night’s sleep is needed all around
.
I realize it is almost 8pm and time to get in line for Pat McDonagh’s show. The line for Pat’s show is practically to Bloor Street!!! Bloody hell I am going to go watch this show from the V.I.P lounge. I bump into Tommy from JakandJill.com in the V.I.P area filling his camera bag with tootsie roll candies. He loves them!

Pat McDonagh
Pat’s collection looks fantastic. Glamorous, sexy and modern. There is a black dress with a wide purple belt cinched right at the waist and topped off with a wee black knit cap. I totally put this look together months ago for an event at the Gladstone - so I felt tremendous fashion vindication. After the Pat’s show I ask Rachel, TSF Editor, what she thought of the show. “You can always count on Pat for colour in the winter” Rach exclaims.
I head downstairs to speak to people leaving the show for more feedback. Crissi, Director of PR for Town Shoes tells me “I love Pat’s work. I almost cry when I see her shows”. Wow, powerful stuff then.

Ok, need to kill some time before the Pink Tartan show. I spot Tyler from SDn'R in the crowd and tell him folks have been raving about his party. I ask him what he is doing tonight. Tyler tells me he is there to see Pink Tartan. Suddenly there is a buzz going around the crowd. Heather Marks, the supermodel, has been spotted and apparently Pink Tartan got her to open the show. WOW! This show is highly anticipated and everyone is pushing and shoving to get in.

Pink Tartan
The show opens with a very hot fiddler in a kilt. None other than THE Ashley Macisaac - no money here! Then Heather Marks struts out and the show begins. It is a fun and colourful show. Totally capitalizing on that Edwardian, Aristocratic Horsey-Set vibe, going around some fashion circles. I am thinking of London England in the city, circa 1960, and also of a fox hunt in the British countryside. Of course there is tons of plaid. And yes…more ruffs!!!

After Pink Tartan I head backstage, to see if I can meet top model Heather Marks, but Rachel from the team has already got a chat with her. I stand around talking to some other models I met at last season’s shows. Hot male model Peter, from Elmer Olsen in particular. He is wearing a cool Rock Republic t-shirt. Then by glorious chance, the Fashion File TV crew come over to me, and ask if I want to be interviewed. Hmmmmm……OKAY!!!! It is a wee bit nerve racking but I try to stay focused and not say anything totally silly. Well, that will be the day!

When Fashion File asks me about my thoughts on the Pink Tartan show I say “It reminds me of my time spent in England. Me in short pants and cherries in syrup”. Hello…..like did I just say that? Where did that come from, I must sound mad! Oh well, it was terribly nice of them to ask me to go on camera for the Toronto street fashion nation. All the people I meet from Fashion File were very good and nice. They remind me of a family…..ahhhhhhhh.
Ok I need to find out which after party to go to. Which one do I pick?

Tony and Natalie of Holt Renfrew at the Pink Tartan after party

I decide that I am going to the 8Below after party, as that is where Pink Tartan is holding. And Robin, Rita and Val and everyone will be there! I get to 8Below and it is so super full of fashion types the place is bulimic. I am pressed tightly against a wall but it’s all good. I have had a wonderful day and have met some fantastic people, so how can I complain. Ok ….my feet are bloody killing me in my high heeled boots; an acceptable fashion week complaint.

One more day to go. I am thinking kitten heels or ballet flats……..

Sonja

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