Last night crowds of fashionphiles packed into the Fermenting Cellar at the Distillery for the second dizzying night of Alternative Fashion Week. Is it just me, or did there seem to be more gentlemen coming out for the Seduction night?

The hippest crowd in TO partied to the sounds of Alison Solo, the Robert Desmond Band, and the jazzy, soulful and trippy grooves of DJ Robert Strauss (playing Thursdays @ Andy Poolhall). Toronto’s gorgeous and diverse community was decked out in eclectic styles – from designers like Eshu Hendler (www.myspace.com/crueltyfreecollective) wearing their own work, to those who simply love clothes. From punk to elegant to hip-hop, the full mix of Toronto’s finest was out in full force.

A testament to our community, most of the designers featured in last night’s shows were from Toronto. They included Billy Rose Lux Undies, El Toro, Futurstate, Glyphiks Design, Heather Neil, Jessica Clayton, Lubica Fashion, Minx Clothing, Rockitqueen, SewBeit, Starkers! (Dianna DiNoble), Svetlana Trifunovic, and Dosha (Tahnee Reyes). Some major trends carried over from last night’s celebration of Fantasy – get ready for wasp-waists, ruffled hems, and polka-dots, we are going ultra-femme! Dior must be smiling in his grave.

While quality and creativity were evident in all the shows, highlights certainly included Starkers! by Dianna DiNoble. Beautifully constructed steel boned corsets that Scarlet would have killed for, sculpted the models into sensuous hourglass shapes. The show-stopper was a nod to the Queen of Seduction herself – Marie Antoinette (we should all go to the movie in DiNoble’s clothes!). A lavish display of bows, pearls and ruffled lace sleeves floated over a hoop cage. Get out the smelling salts ladies, these corsets will have you gasping for breath!

Rockitqueen paid homage to bad girl Betty Page (when she was being good). Sultry 50’s cigarette pants and fitted dresses molded to the body. Polka-dots, leopard skin prints and strapless sweetheart necklines were accented with ruffled hems and ruffled fannies. El Toro used materials in surprising combinations, tweed with denim, knits with silk. Harkening back to the days when Donna Karen was all about the wrap and roll, El Toro wrapped up the models like presents, creating soft, sultry lines with neutral colours. A two-toned blue silk skirt flowed like water - simply lovely!

Serbian designer Svetlana Trifunovic carried on pairing denim with lace, satin, and chiffon. Genderbending male models carried combination of lace and fur down the runway with spirit and style. Jeans were reconstructed into a puzzle of shapes, accented here and there with peek-a-boo cut-outs. Vessna Pervnovich crossed the line between fashion and performance art with exquisitely netted cloaks/gowns made entirely of elastic bands.

Tosha by Tahnee Reyes ended the show with a super-creepy commentary on the more predatory nature of seduction. Men turned into monsters (think Planet of the Apes with a psycho edge) pulled and prodded captive models along the runway. Superbly tailored high style clothing was punctuated with bondage elements, including torturous silver ball-gags.

All in all, a full range of sensuality and experience was explored with diverse approaches and stunningly beautiful models. Don’t miss your last chance to see cutting edge style tonight, when FAT goes supernova with Street Fashion!

Liza

>> on to day 3: STREET