On Tuesday, October 20, 2008, L'Oréal Toronto Fashion Week opened the doors of the big white tents for a week of full-on and fabulous Canadian fashion. New this year: an extra venue for incubator shows. Known as "The Studio", it was attached to the east end of the main tent, and featured such designers as Katya Revenko, who inaugurated the space with a show of draped casual wear that channeled the '70s in palest peaches, greys and mauves, as well as Jason Meyers, Aqua di Lara, Bodybag by Jude, League of Lovers and Thieves, the students of Fanshawe College, Janet Hill, Eugenia, and Afshin Feiz.
The featured runway shows kicked off in luxurious style with Alfred Sung's collection of bridal wear; pure white with sparkling appliqués. He was followed by Pink Tartan and Mango, the Spanish label created by sisters Monica and Penelope Cruz.
The week continued with Diesel Kid; Nada; Joeffer Caoc (pictured), dapper menswear designers Bustle, and the consummate artistry of David Dixon on Tuesday, October 21.
Wednesday's lineup began with Project Runway Canada finalist Carlie Wong, whose highly wearable outfits (pictured) were a big hit. Zoran Dobric's sombre and artistic esthetic (pictured) followed, then the gruesome and girlie Playdead Cult, teamed for a second consecutive time with Damzels in this Dress. Project Runway Canada winner Evan Biddell took the stage at 6 p.m., preceeding a lineup of heavy hitters: Thien Le, Andy Thé-Anh and Joe Mimran's cheap 'n' cheerful retail line Joe Fresh Style.
Thursday, October 23 opened with the Liza Deyrmenjian Fashion Business Seminar at 1 p.m. in the "Fashion Environment", the bustling foyer area that is usually crowded with product displays, video presentations and, of course, a chi-chi bar area, all swathed in shimmering draperies and focused pinlights. The lineup continued with Karamea (pictured), Evan and Dean, Morales, leather outerwear from Rudsak, sassy Dutch streetwear label Gsus Sindustries and Buffalo David Bitton.
Friday marked the final day of runway shows, with the youthful styles of Nada Yousef at 5 p.m., Mellinda-Mae Harlingten, Lucian Matis and a standout of last season's L'Oréal Toronto Fashion Week, Denis Gagnon from Montreal, whose sensual and sophisticated originality (pictured) made a fitting finale for the runway room.
On Saturday, footsore fashionistas wound down with the Drake Survivor Brunch at 10:30 a.m. at the Drake Hotel on Queen West. It was followed by a Fashion Week Wrap-Up panel discussion hosted by Mary Kitchen from FT at noon. At 2:30, Holt Renfew on Bloor Street hosted a "Celebration of Canadian Fashion", and, for last licks, the truly energetic partied down at the LG Fashion Fusion Closing Night Gala.FAbulous!
Sarah B. Hood - Author of We Sure Can! How Jams and Pickles are Reviving the Lure and Lore of Local Food and Toronto: The Unknown City.
