LGFW Daniel's Day 4

Everyone in fur!

Day Four was totally kick ass, largely due to the amazing rock bitch Nada sent down the runway. Models stomped (oddly not pausing at the end to pose so I hope there are still good shots) to the best soundtrack I've heard so far this season, Grace Jones' new single remixed with Manson's Beautiful People, NIN and an Audio Bullys' remix of Tiga.

Flaunting a sexy hybrid of Anne Demeulemeester and Rick Owens, girls were donned in black including lips and talon-like nails. I loved the oversized plum coloured coat with mutton sleeves, full skirts with massive silver charm belts and a perfect floor length skirt. And the monkey fur! Well, it was probably goat, but looked very monkey Demeulemeester in a cape and boot fringe. Amazing show, nearly made up for Morales not showing.

People were talking about Carlton Brown, the Jamaican designer who filled up at least a page on Twitter. I watched the show on the monitors - super hot models with pink socks on the runway led by Stacey McKenzie was still only ok, but I'm not sure who would wear and afford it except maybe gay divorce lawyers.

Ed Hardy was full of beautants: beautiful mutants. The abs! Holy hell, the abs! Mind-numbingly sexy but a little inhumanly perfect like they were cut out with a laser. The women were skin, bones and silicone. I was a little confused by the ski jackets with bikini bottoms and swim trunks with wool hats, but the standing room only crowd seemed pleased. I also discovered that there is something really creepy/hot about the combination of chiseled abs, balaclava and swim trunks.

I dashed after the Ed show to the Fashion House where there was already a line up for the Women X Women party and photography exhibit. The packed house included Pam from Fashion Crimes, Derick from The Star, Brooklyn from The FDCC and lots of other fabulous first name only people from fabulous places.

Former designer Ariel Garten won best outfit in my books in a Comme des Garcon tuxedo jacket and vintage Victorian work out pants.Miss Robin made a brief appearance near the end looking resplendent in white fur.

After Fashion House we made the jaunt over to The Spoke Club where mayhem ensued and the beautiful people started glowing (it was quite warm). Lots of lovely boys.

Greta Constantine with top model Coco Rocha who made an appearance at LG Fashion Week

New Female Favorite? NADA

My female designer friends on Facebook were a little discouraged that the newly named 'FAB 5' at the Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail to launch LG Fashion Week were all men (Greta Constantine, Mikhael Kale, Philip Sparks, Jeremy Laing and Denis Gagnon ) What to say? All five of these designers have created successful businesses out of creating glamourous, fashionable clothing - and most importantly have succeeded at creating attention and securing press.

Then lastnight, my blogger friends on Twitter couldn't tweet enough about NADA, a female designer. I wasn't at the NADA show, but I certainly was intrigued by comments:
"Love NADA blk gown with tendrilled collar. And lastly, what is this, London? Black leather w squared hips? Suddenly avant-garde seems...not." (Sarah Nicole)
"Crazy good show. Loved the rockstar looks" (Anita)
Even heavy-weight tweeter and Toronto Star writer Derick Chetty said "Nada show was on point - sexy goth rock chick."

Looking forward to watching the show here on http://www.fashiontelevision.com/micro/fashionweeks/FW09/toronto-video.asp >>

This photo is from Nada's Spring 2009 Campaign

Betsy Johnson @ Brant House

By Conor O Brien

A trend-set came out in droves to King Street chic-clubland on March 17, 2009 for a peek at the Betsy Johnson Spring/Summer ’09 collection, held at the Brant House.

Although the show got off to a late start, the crowd was wowed by looks that gave the air of young girls playing dress up in their mothers' closets.

The models skipped and danced their way along the runway in colorful looks as DJ Vivi Diamond tore up the ones and twos to a mix of electro-house and hip-hop. Most of the pieces were centered around “whimsy”, with demure floral prints on electric blues and yellows-making the flowers pop. Asymmetrical waistlines, going as high as the bust and going below the bum made several cameos. The two models that came out in black floral showcasing these two extremes did their best, but the silhouette left something to be desired.

After the show, NYC DJ Princess Superstar gave a stellar, however short performance. Unfortunately the crowd had had their fill of having their knees crushed against the runway, and an exodus ensued before she was really able to bring out the big guns.

All in all, the organizers and show stylist stayed true to Betsy Johnson's fun and fancy free nature, and I for one am looking forward to the next party.

LG Fashion Week Elsewhere

by Rachel Schwab

As you can tell, Torontostreetfashion.com is NOT covering Toronto Fashion Week for the first time in four years. Daniel (who previously dj'd two seasons at the tent) is still hanging out with the industry peeps a bit and so we're encouraging him to share any juicy details!

Canadian media and bloggers have truly stepped up this season though - and unlike years' past, there is a multitude of coverage all over the Internet. Runway videos and photos, interviews, party pix, schedules, designer profiles...can all be found on the links I listed previously. And besides writers like the Ampersand's Nathalie Atkinson and NOWs Andrew Sardone successfully pump out satisfying reviews much better and more efficiently! Even sites like FASHION Magazine and BlogTO are doing a bit of street fashion. And we think this is fabulous for Canadian fashion.

New, is detailed, step by step thoughts on Twitter. At least a dozen of my friends are constantly 'tweeting' about everything from who's sitting in the front row to overheard rumours to runway style... I can barely keep up with all the 'insider' info:) Anyone can catch a tweet or two at Twitter by doing a #lgfw search here >>

Unfortunately we can't afford to be full-time bloggers (or partyers or fashion events socialites) forever and so I am working on completely slimming down Torontostreetfashion to make it manageable without going into a 'coma'.

For now though, Happy LG Fashion Week y'all!

#lgfw Daniel Day 2

by Daniel Wilson

Toronto Fashion Week: Joeffer Caoc - Fall 2009 courtesy of BlogTO.

So my second day at LG Fashion Week was a little brief as I was surprised by a request to dj tonight, but what I did see was noteworthy.

• Susie Love has a new line of jewellery revolving around antique lace (given some special love of course)!
• Fashion week volunteers scrub the runway with Mr. Clean Magic Eraser before each show!
• Shows started on time, or even in a couple alarming cases early!
• The Ula Zukowska show was wearable yet innovative with lots of structure, textures, layers and faux fur all in rust and earth tones. Amazing leather leggings with slouchy bottoms.
• The Travis Teddeo show had lots of sexy, fresh looks and sexy very fresh boy models but overall came across a little American Apparel, but with strange entire dead animals slung over model's shoulders.
• Zoran Dobric did Neo-Klimt and showed African Cyborg Princesses with tribal necklaces and prints and some amazing mens mesh stuff and vinyl leggings.
  

Party Night
I managed to make it to a few parties Tuesday night, because really, whats the week without parties?! The Bustle party at Ultra was well attended by the stylish, moneyed set and stripes seemed to be the uniform for the Bustle posy... Sadly I left to go to the Betsy Johnson party which I should have known would be 905, but I wanted to hear Princess Superstar. In and out in under 20mins.

My dj experience at Lobby for the Eye Candy party was also brief, as apparently the owner did not like my mix and wanted to go back to his house dj's straight guy 905 rap. Sigh.
Does it make me a snob to say I want to go to a fashion week party that is Just fashion week people? The bridge and tunnel crowd kills the vibe and I'm tired of straight girls asking me if I'm really sure I'm gay.

For more LG Fashion Week than you can handle, search #lgfw on Twitter >>

LG Fashion Week - Daniel's Day 1

Daniel Wilson

LG Fashion Week is back, bigger and better than ever this season with a double floor tent holding court in Nathan Phillips Square. Most notable of the opening night Barbie celebrations was Robin Kay's flawless speech. 'Show Love' was the only response anyone could have to her short, elegant and funny talk, "I'm gonna stick to the script this time".

The vibe in the tent was hot hot hot as thousands packed into a venue that is growing too small by the season (Toronto Sky Dome anyone?), dressed to the nines and ready to cheek kiss and mingle in a social blender. I noticed Marlene Shiff of now-closed Boutique Le Trou fame looking like a 1940s movie star with big, gorgeous hair and Kealan Sullivan of 69 Vintage playing the rock star in faded jeans and an over-sized blazer. Vanja Vasic, artistic director of Toronto Alternative Fashion week rocked in as the tent's enfant terible and Nina Arsenault (Canada's most fabulous transsexual) gave a breath of fresh air by breathing life into Barbie as her living manifestation. Even designer Pat McDonaugh looked fresh in jeans (gasp!) and a black blazer.

Over all Toronto Fashion Week (no matter what you call it) came back strong as a stylish summer camp. The city's most fashionable and most fabulous all get together twice a year in a giant tent, pissing in outhouses and shivering outside in the dark, to celebrate what Toronto has and what our style will be.

I end my brief first day feeling elated and renewed by the big family reunion. Feeling slightly drained after the amazing and beautiful, but far too long, David Dixon show. And feeling like if I was wearing a hat I would need to take it off and tip it to Robin, who despite all the controversy and catty attacks has proven that she can pull of something no one else can. Show some love Toronto.
(We will see if I am as chipper tomorrow without that wonderful champagne in a can!)

p.s. Jeannie Beker had some small Asian child on her lap for the David Dixon show... Maybe it was like designer clothes celebs can just borrow for events or maybe she's Canada's Angie.

LG Fashion Week link GUIDE

Toronto's newly branded LG Fashion Week kicks off in Toronto today and is sure to to wipe out the hundreds of folks working in the industry by next weekend.

Although public tickets are available for shows, the fashion week crowd is mainly made up of editors, journalists and photographers; the designers and their crews of stylists, models, producers, etc.; the behind-the-scenes executive committee; retailers and buyers; and family and friends of designers.

Most of Canada's top designers participating include David Dixon, Joeffer Caoc, Pink Tartan, Andy-the-Ahn and Lucian Matis. Local favorites include Comrags, Ula Zukowska and Zoran Dobric. The Joe Fresh showing is sure to draw a standing-room only crowd as is the Bustle collection with its tightly-themed stage show to match the clothes.

During the week, we will be following:

Nathalie Atkinson, The National Post (Ampersand)
network.nationalpost.com

FASHION Magazine
www.fashionmagazine.com/attheshows
as well as tweets at http://twitter.com/FashionCanada

Andrew Sardone, NOW Magazine
http://www.nowtoronto.com

FashionTelevison Videos
www.fashiontelevision.com

BlogTO
http://blogto.com/toronto_fashion_week/

Sarah Nicole Prickett, Torontoist
http://torontoist.com

David Graham/Derick Chetty, Toronto Star
www.thestar.com/living/fashion

plus all our blogger and twitter friends:

• carolyn TFI
• rags and mags
• danielle final fashion
• gail the stylebox
• anita iwant igot

Phil Sparks Shows Pre-LG to Rave Reviews

Call it Canadian Pride. Maybe it's because we haven't been hit as badly by the Recession as the US - or maybe it's because Quebecois Soldiers were damn good-looking - but Canadian Pride is in the air and Phil Sparks is leading the pack. Sparks showed his Fall '09 collection last week at the historic and newly restored Burroughs building after making his New York Debut last season.

The Burroughs building - where his studio is located as well - is quickly becoming one of the hottest spots for designers and artists to show their work. With it's brick walls, wooden floors and high beam ceilings it was the perfect space to show off his rustic-Canadian tailoring. He has already earned himself rave reviews from the Star, who labelled him "one of Canada's preminent menswear designers" and from Holts menswear buyer Andrew Lepp. Despite doubts from some about the ability of designers to show successfully without the media support from LG fashion week, the runway room looked packed to capacity as the show started.

Inspired by the 1936 Russian fairytale 'Peter and the Wolf', Sparks clothes are wearable and perfectly tailored, but peppered to the limit with cheeky Canadiana references like hunting sweaters and caps, long johns and of course perfect plaid flannel shirts. Sparks credits many trips to the reference library to research early Canadian costumes for the authentic look of the collection. Boyfriends beware - you'll have ladies sneaking his stuff into your closets this season faster than you can say "Habitants"!

Fashion Week March 16-21, 2009

FDCCs 10th Year (20th season)
LG Fashion Week – Beauty by L’Oréal Paris

SHOW LOVE!

“This is a year to celebrate a strong history and a promising future. I am proud of the unprecedented exposure and focus on the designers that found a voice at Fashion Week over the last 10 years and the unyielding support of our sponsors both old and new. I warmly invite everyone to come together, SHOW LOVE, and celebrate fashion,” Robin Kay, President Fashion Design Council of Canada, Executive Director LG Fashion Week.

In just a few short months, there has been a world change; filled with an unprecedented combination of despair and hope. History dictates that in challenging times, artists and creative souls suffer yet through such times there are extraordinary opportunities to come together and nurture a community that makes everyone smile, and allows spirits to soar through personal creativity and design. It is a time to come together and show unity, show support and most of all SHOW LOVE.

http://www.lgfashionweek.ca

Mid-Fashion Week After Hours

Kimberley Mimran | Rebecca Tay, FASHION western editor


Decor & More gals | Irene Stickney & Laura Mensinga

Joe Fresh
There were definitely many hungover fashion-faces Thursday morning on, following mid-fashion week's party circuit. My attendance began at the Fashion House Condos where the Mimrans hosted a well-dressed and attended fete. Fashion editors, wealthy neighbours and business associates were treated to superb hors d'oevres and vodka martinis - in a brightly lit space that made it easy to check out all the eye candy.

Shinan Govani @ Spice Route
From there, we hopped across King Street to the gorgeous Spice Route with its lit torches guarding the massive front door. The party consisted of simply sitting in a large U-shaped booth, drinking Belvedere vodka and Moet (we caught Shinan for a brief moment) - and taking in the illuminated walls, Buddha statues and Asian-influenced decor. Individual washrooms have a huge glass wall that looks onto a grassy lane - complete with functioning fountains that take the lounge washroom experience to a whole new level!

Evan Biddell @ Burroughs
The coolest/hippest/hottest party of the week that I attended was undoubtedly the Evan Biddell after-party where we ran into dozens of faces from fashion students to fellow fashion week designers to actors and models taking great advantage of generous liquor sponsors (unfortunately I missed the next best Greta Constantine party at Fuzion)!

The open-concept, loft space was an awesome aesthetic with its floor to ceiling windows and warm hardwoood floors that supported several groupings of leather seating areas - no matter what corner you turned, you were sure to find interesting people.

Fashion Television's Glen Baxter managed to make it 'til 3 a.m., while poor Biddell likely didn't remember the end! On descent, packing into the ancient Burroughs Building (639 Queen St.) elevator with a few gals who couldn't put down their wine glasses, Shinan Govani specified a custom-order Susie Love tie before heading off to an after-hours up the street.

The prairie boy-turned city hipster is definitely everyone's new favorite, especially after handing out new K-Swiss kicks to everyone at his show!

LG Fashion Fusion - WRAP

Celeb stylist HOST for the evening, Phillip Bloch with designer Lucian Matis


FDCC Chair Joe Mimran (in his slippers:) with FDCC President Robin Kay (in Lucian Matis)

LG Electronics Canada, Toronto fashion's newest BIG sponsor, went all out for L'Oreal Fashion Week's finale with a grand fete that brought the fashion industry, actors & performers, and lucky ticket winners together in style!

For its closing party, LG flew in Maroon 5 for an intimate concert (people outside in the cold got to watch the show through a see-through wall AND giant projection screen set up in Nathan Phillips Square)! The fashion show included designers such as Greta Constantine, Mikhael Kale, and Wayne Clark. Other highlights of the night include presentations by top international design students, Agent Provacateur and Canadian swimwear designer, Shan.


Hot tights of the week


Fashion Television's Jeanne Beker | SHAN models show off the lates LG phones

In Fashion delivers an extensive L'Oreal Fashion Week and Fashion Fusion recap Sunday, November 9 at 5 p.m. ET on CTV; followed at 5:30 p.m. ET with FashionTelevision Presents: LG Fashion Fusion; a full episode of FT dedicated to Fashion Fusion showcasing all of the evening's highlights.

Daniel's Fashion Week - Final Day 5

So the mysterious Smoking Stiletto is at it again, hiding behind their not so clever nom de plume and demanding for the impeachment of Robin Kay - through mass E-mails to key fashion people in the city. Really, this person/group (?) needs to grow some balls and not attack someone while hiding in the shadows.

Yes, Robin’s behavior on Monday was deplorable but its been addressed and she has publicly apologized in The Toronto Star. Demanding her resignation before Fashion Week is even over is nothing but a petty personal attack.

Here is The FDCC’s official response to the Stiletto petition:
October 24, 2008 - Joseph Mimran, Chair Fashion Design Council of Canada and the board of the FDDC are aware of the re-emergence of another petition. The attempt to start circulating this petition, yet again, only exacerbates an already admitted unfortunate incident. The Board will convene next week to address this and other matters. It is the hope of the FDCC that the focus will remain on Fashion Week and the Canadian design talent that it supports.

Hopefully whoever’s feet are smoking can put them on some ice and chill out, or better yet simply dissipate.

Daniel's Fashion Week - Day 4

Renata Morales was F**king amazing! More on that later, but it needed to be the first thing I said.

Well, if Evan Biddell’s show didn’t make enough of an impression on fashion week, his after party certainly did. The entire Toronto fashion community seemed to be hellishly hung over after going to Mr. Evan’s party and was vacillating between warm loving feelings and cursing the man’s name.

The first show I caught today was Morales and I can’t rave about it enough. Absolutely the best show of the week, Renata blew everyone else out of the water. Its sad that a mediocre show like Joe Fresh drew a line-up around the block and yet many people missed true art with the Morales show.

It began with an almost disturbing op-art black and white video projection - and the clothing that came out could cast Morales as the Canadian Issey Miyake. I can only guess that each piece on the runway took two weeks minimum to make with their endlessly elaborate pleated and gathered and ruched chiffon. Knock-outs included dramatic pleated chiffon layered over metallic gold sequins, a tiered pleated cream almost wedding dress with a slash of red over the heart and a floor length column dress entirely sequined in the image of a giant Japanese-style doll face (the dress was so narrow the model could barely walk). Renata proved fearless in creating a few pieces that were actually not pretty by any means but worked perfectly to express her vision. She also beautifully used prints of her own of the Montreal skyline and trees in flower. Even the music was the best show music I’ve heard all week.

Rudsak did well to sober me up after the deliriously elated state Morales left me in. The show was filled with great leather jackets and deadly trench coats that will sell like water, but the need to bloody edit. One does not need to show every single item you manufacture in every single possible colour on the runway. By the second half of the show I had completely lost the ability to distinguish one outfit from the last. Apparently the leather pants they showed were not actually theirs which is good because whoever made the shiny black leather hot pants for summer should be shot (also used were giant western style cowboy belt buckles that added an unrequired hint of tacky).

Into the evening, I stayed for Gsus - I don’t know why. Obviously PR for Gsus wanted to pack the house and they succeeded by filling the room to the rafters with ginos and thugs and people that generally looked non-fashion week. When Gsus is styled on the runway, it can look amazing and even approach creativity but sadly that is not how it will get worn on the street. The show did have several good points; the denim was wonderful - high-waisted and baggy. Low points included the men’s underwear models clear stuffing and an unpleasant sack-like onesie. My visibility was also ruined by riff raff standing in the aisles. When the Gsus show wrapped up, one shirtless model came out sporting a giant Tommy Hilfiger logo on his undies. I’m not sure if it was a joke or just a styling accident, but it was embarrassing.

What to wear to Fashion Week

Of course we encourage personal style to reign, especially at Toronto's foremost week of fashion; but we'd thought we'd offer a few very basic tips to being sharp and spotted amongst thousands of the city's best (or at least most interestingly) dressed!

For Spring 2008:
Oversized Jewellery: rings, bracelets and neckwear. Wooden, big beads, natural textures.
Coloured Tights: yes, coloured tights are still 'in', especially since this trend hasn't gone super-mainstream in this city. Ladies, you can do it! (Why not even try coloured footwear?!)
Belted/High-waist Skirts: Lady-like meets urban chic. Not only for hipsters!
Colour: Yellow, purple, blue, pink. You name it - just get out of that black!

During the last fashion week, Liza asked Toronto's style icons about their thoughts...

Adam: "It is better to dress in a unique way to express your own personality." | Marlene: "Wear comfortable shoes!"

Alison: "Try to anticipate the trends you are going to see, and be the first to wear them." |
Rolyn "If you're not confident enough to put an outfit together, go for something basic and add an unusual detail to it, or go for style in an outrageous accessory."

Countdown to Fashion Week

Wear In The World!
Featuring 33 shows and 69 designers

*Shows will be open to the general public. $20 per show or $50 day pass. Go to www.lorealfashionweek.ca for registration details.

Fashion Week Street Fashion

GO TO >>> STREET STYLE & PHOTOS

Post Fashion Week in National Post

Rachel's Weekend Post Snaps Page

A fashion fauxpas
Robin Kay's insistence that Canada is new to fashion seems old
Shinan Govani, National Post, Published: Saturday, October 27, 2007

Fashion Week in Toronto, set against the towers in the city's most famous square, has never looked better, but a dark pall has fallen on the woman who makes it all happen.

Robin Kay -- who seems, these days, just one hair's breath away from screaming "No Wire Hangers" -- has been encircled by innuendo, lassoed by protest. Oh, she's her usual motor self, but there's something in her eyes that tells the real story.

Link to Article

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A Reporter's Notebook
From dreamy David Dixon to savvy Ula Zukowska, with a gripe or two thrown in for good measure
Nathalie Atkinson, Weekend Post, Published: Saturday, October 27, 2007

"The runway offerings didn't always live up to the expectations created by the spiffy new venue, but Toronto's L'Oreal Fashion Week offered much of interest. Herewith, a few observations..."

"A rant about that other runway As I watched Canadian designers showing off their best-of-the-best all week, I felt a rant bubbling up about Project Runway Canada. Because of a media embargo that prevents me from describing the finalists' collections, which we saw, I can talk about the show only in general terms. So I'll confine myself to what has already aired on Slice and what everybody knows. Iman, darling, you are gorgeous, and you are an astute businesswoman, but your delivery is wooden. It's embarrassing."

Link to Article

Boy's Club

There is something for every man in this spring's menswear collections. Rudsak's Serengetti line is perfect for men with more conservative taste. The collection offers timeless, classic style in a restrained palette. Chatto is a little more adventurous, with unusual textile and pattern combinations, and whimsical accent colours. By far the most creative mens' line comes from Bustle, who plays with Ascot refinement and gives it a street edge.

On the whole, it does seem that Toronto men are beginning have a little more fun with style. Many writers remarked that more men than women were among the best dressed at Fashion Week.

Photos by Christina Pal

Backside of Andy

Andy The Ahn's newest breathtaking evening collection starts with gasps from the audience as one of the models wipes out three times on the runway. Attention is quickly diverted to gowns in fluttering chiffon and fluid charmeuse, set off with Dynasty-style accents of crystal stones. The hemline drops and the waist rises on his trademark sleek suits, creating a sultry silhouette complete with saucy details on the fanny.
Anik with L'Oreal from Montreal, who is wearing Andy The Ahn was thrilled, "Being from Montreal I give a special eye to his collection. I am always amazed at his talent and his sense of what women need. He's just a genious!"

Nada Yousif @ L'Oreal Fashion Week

Toronto L'Oreal Fashion Week, Spring 2008 Collections


Nada breaks into spring with a riot of rich, jewel-toned colours. Powerful print dresses allow two looks: tied up into a bubble or released into fluid, floor length gowns. Volume is added to raw silk knee length skirts, but remember these are best suited to the few amongst us with a twiggy figure.
Photos by Christina Pal