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 Toronto
Alternative Fashion Week
Day 1 - Tuesday, October 17, 2006
by Liza Zawadzka
The Distillery District provided the perfect underground feel for
the kick-off of the 2nd annual Toronto Alternative Fashion Week
[FAT]. Fashionistas, photographers, artists, designers, and publicists
along with the creative and curious packed into the Fermenting Cellar
as the room buzzed with energy and excitement. In the true spirit
of alternative fashion, the night was a celebration of diversity,
identity and the possibilities encountered in cutting edge style.
The
crowd was treated to the grooving sounds of DJ Medicine Man,
Amanda Kaye, Guys with Bangs and Roshini Celina Joseph. Playful
artwork surrounded the space that was also invaded with modern dance,
video and performance art. Cake Girls Karina Bergmans and Jenny
McMaster sweetened the evening with a far-out mix of fashion,
food and performance complete with a birthday cake hat and “loafers”
(bread-loaf shoes). In true Canadian spirit they delivered a reading
from Margaret Atwood’s Edible Woman.
Of
course the highlight of the evening were the runway shows by Canadian
and international designers, which revolved around the theme of
Fantasy. Extravagant textures, fabulous forms and to-die-for
back details dominated the evening.
Highlights
included works by Mildred Avendano, whose surreal and sculptural
dresses floated down the runway, seductively suggesting the female
form while hiding it. Recalling the Korean Hanbok, Avendano’s
work took us into the realm of sublime elegance.
Toronto’s
own McDayter and Mann from “Magpie” (884 Queen
West) brought a savage but luscious feel to the show with handpainted
layers of leather, wildly accented with fringe and fur. Textured
jackets and flowing gowns were lovingly treated to details of appliqué,
beads and buttons.
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