Thien Le – The Jewel in the Crown

Set in an intimate tea room of the Four Seasons Hotel, the Gem show features the work of haute couturier Thien Le. Amid palm fronds, attentive staff and a most gracious hostess, guests, including the High Consul of Japan, were treated to a lovely champagne lunch and the finest collection fashion week has offered so far.

Graceful black gowns are accented by luscious obi (full, high waisted kimono sashes) in brilliant fabrics. One Kimono-inspired gown is made of 32 meters of hand-painted Kyoto silk. Kimono fabrics continue to accent the collection in full extravagant collars, and tightly cinched at the cuffs of full sleeves. Dazzling sequins in coffee and jet black adorn curving suits and dresses.

The jewel in the crown of Le’s empire is the wedding dress, a traditional finish to a couture collection. There is no washed out white Cinderella here however. Le presents an imperial kimono, handwoven and embroidered Kyoto silk, glittering with gold and white fluttering cranes. The effect is nothing short of spectacular, but with $1,000,000.00 worth of Birks diamonds sewn into the collar, the audience is left in stunned silence before bursting into a round of applause. Move over Givenchy – Canada has arrived.

Liza Zadwazka
photos Christina Pal