Tag Archives: catwalk

Dare to Wear Love

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World MasterCard Fashion Week ended with a bang.

Well, maybe not quite a bang – but close enough. Bob Marley’s granddaughter Donisha Prendergast dancing down the runway to live Caribbean music followed by WWE wrestler Trish Stratus flexing her biceps and then picking up an audience member are just two examples of how unconventional this runway show was.

It was all great fun but, more importantly, it was all for a great cause. Dare to Wear Love runs each season of Toronto fashion week in support of The Stephen Lewis Foundation which helps put money directly into the hands of community-based organizations to help those living with AIDS in Africa.

Dare to Wear Love FW2012

Photos courtesy of Toronto Sun

Celebrities and models walked, danced or pranced down the runway in designs such as David Dixon, Adrian Wu, Lida Baday and Greta Constantine. 

It wasn’t quite the clothes that made this show so enjoyable. It was more about the energy that resonated throughout the room as fashion fanatics, designers, and celebrities came together to raise awareness in support of this foundation.

To view more looks from the show, click here. 

RUDSAK

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I think of two materials when I think of Fall: leather and fur.

With Mackage as an exception, no other designer comes to mind when I think of this season. Fall is Rudsak’s forté and, judging by the collection that was revealed on the runway, FW2012 will be no exception.

The models strutted to upbeat, badass beats. The fur on their jackets danced as it caught wind from the models’ momentum. All I could think of was how badly I wanted to touch it.

What I loved about the collection was the variations of fur – from your basic fur trim to a full-on fur coat with a matching fur bag – anybody could find a look that was within their fashion comfort zone.

Rudsak FW 2012

Photos courtesy of the Toronto Star

Rudsak FW2012

Photos courtesy of the Toronto Star

Ezra Constantine

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I was caught off guard from the moment the Ezra Constantine show started.

This may be my first fashion week, but I do know it’s odd for a show to begin with all the models walking out together, and then coming out one by one afterwards. I wasn’t  sure what the point of that was, aside from causing confusion.

Designers Stephen Wong and Kirk Pickersgill of the female collection, Greta Constantine, showed their menswear on Day 4 of WMCFW.

I did not expect oversized safety pins fasted onto turtlenecks, tinfoil-inspired shirts and pants, lots of sequins, and strange leather face masks.

The theme of the show was a S&M type bondage, it looked like the men either had neck injuries or were too wrapped up in their clothing to be considered mobile.

I won’t say I liked the collection, but I will say it did not lack shock value.

Ezra Constantine FW2012

Photos courtesy of the Toronto Sun

Pink Tartan

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Pink Tartan is definitely one of the most, if not the most, anticipated shows of WMCFW. Kimberly Newport-Mimram, the designer, did not disappoint.

The models were made up with what seemed to be the theme of Day 4: a middle part, simple makeup and a bold lip.

Spotted in the first row was husband Joe Mimram of Joe Fresh, whose wife supported his FW2012 collection the previous night. Together, they are Canada’s fashion design power couple.

From her shiny signature cigarette pants and chunky gold hardware on leather belts, to the impecable fur and flirty, frilled details, I am completely obsessed with this collection.

So obsessed, in fact, I will go ahead and declare that Pink Tartan has the best FW2012 collection at WMCFW.

Pink Tartan FW2012

Photos courtesy of Toronto Life

Best collection at WMCFW FW2012

Photos courtesy of Toronto Life

Caitlin Power

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At 23 years old, Caitlin Power has mastered the androgynous look while maintaining an element of sexiness in her designs.

Female models had their hair sweetly parted down the middle, with a jet black lip for an edgy contrast while male models had their eyebrows bleached and rocked a sleek combover.

I loved the triangular metal inserts on the dress shirts- a modern, almost futuristic, version of the bow tie. The clothes were structured and featured geometric shapes.

Going along with the trends of this fashion week, I noticed mesh detailing as well as leather and cloth combinations. Overall, her FW2012 collection was cohesive and wearable.

Caitlin Power FW2012

Photos courtesy of the Toronto Star

Caitlin Power FW2012

Photos courtesy of the Toronto Star

Joe Fresh

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Who doesn’t love Joe Fresh?

The tents were packed last night as fashion’s elite and fans of the popular, versatile, affordable clothing line got a look at Joe Mimran’s F/W2012 collection for Joe Fresh.

After a subtly sexy intro video, the crowd hummed in anticipation as the first model made her way down the catwalk.

We saw more mustard yellow, big chunky knits, and some amazing fur. There were super-structured wool coats and overall great cuts on outerwear. We were slightly confused by the random half-fur sleeves on some of the jackets- but dare we question Joe?

Photos courtesy of Toronto Life

There were plenty of earthy tones in the collection, but also some vibrant colours; reds and greens, but with a slight neon appeal (as per the biggest trend right now).

Photos courtesy of Toronto Life

We also saw some patent red leather details, sparkly dresses, and tweed. Everywhere. But our favourite feature of the Joe Fresh collection? Houndstooth, which added a trendy yet classy appeal.

Photos courtesy of Toronto Life

LINE

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Always a favourite at fashion week, LINE elicited a full house. The F/W 2012 collection from the knitwear line was cozy- but with a sexy edge.

Photos courtesy of Toronto Life

Designers John Muscat and Jennifer Wells, the creative geniuses behind LINE Knitwear, brought stylish practicality to the runway. The collection saw an exciting amount of leather details, and besides typical grays and blacks, the models wore earthy oranges, greens, and browns. There were splashes of sheen: metallic skirts.

Photos courtesy of Toronto Life

Photos courtesy of Toronto Life

No wonder the line has a faithful celebrity following- cozy, comfy knitwear that you can still look sexy and stylish wearing? I’m a fan.

Mercedes Benz Start Up Presents: Martin Lim

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The crazy.classy.chic team was fortunate enough to get a VIP experience on Day 2 of World MasterCard Fashion Week.

Greg Hewitt, the president of DHL, a logistics company that helps small business owners in the fashion world, extended an invitation for us to attend a media briefing with celebrity photographer Steve Carty, stylist Talia Brown and the talented designers behind the Martin Lim label.

From left to right: Greg Hewitt and designers Danielle Martin and Pao Lim of Martin Lim

From left to right: stylist Talia Brown, celebrity photography Steve Carty, and Greg Hewitt

After the media briefing, we went on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of World MasterCard Fashion Week. We saw all the backstage chaos just minutes before the Chloé Comme Parris show, and an hour before the Martin Lim premiere.

Backstage: Martin Lim - a sneak peek of the collection before showtime

Backstage

Backstage: hair and makeup by Redken and Maybelline

The president of DHL was kind enough to take us to MasterCard’s private lounge which overlooked the main runway. We enjoyed cocktails while watching the Chloé Comme Parris show.

Finally, it was time for Martin Lim to reveal itself to Toronto fashion week for the first time as a member of Mercedes-Benz Start Up, a program that provides a national platform to discover and support up-and-coming Canadian designers.

Their inspiration for this label was graphic modernism. Sixties couture mixed with softness and structure.They used stripes to colour-block vertically, a technique used to elongate one’s body.

I loved the colour-palette and the vertical colour-blocking. However, I was not a fan of the streamer-like pieces of material that fluttered on the bottom of many of their skrits and dresses.

Martin Lim Fw2012

Photos courtesy of Toronto Life

Martin Lim FW2012

Photos courtesy of Toronto Life

After the show, we had the opportunity to interview the adorable duo – they were incredibly humble and friendly. When I asked them how they felt after the show, they said they were a little relieved but still feeling stressed. They had been working so hard for so long to that they’ve forgotten how to relax.

Backstage: Interviewing Martin Lim after the show

We wish Martin Lim utmost success with this collection, and hope to see them return to the runway at WMCFW in the Fall.

SOIA & KYO

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The haunting wintery winds whistling down the runway set the tone for SOIA & KYO’s FW2012 runway collection.

The Montreal-based label, led by designer Ilan Elfassy, showcased some fabulous outerwear: great fits, shape, and amazing collars. In colour, we saw lots of tan, forest and military greens, and splashes of blood red and mustard yellow. The fur accessorizing the jackets was phenomenal, and the leather elbow pads added an edge. Overall, the jackets added that subtle sexy to winterwear that we’re always searching so desperately for between all of the puffy winter jackets we try on.

Photos courtesy of the Toronto Star

Photos courtesy of the Toronto Star

As for the show itself- it didn’t blow me away. I wanted to appreciate the clothes more, but there was just something lacking.

One thing that wasn’t lacking was a prime selection of male models. Their bone structure was enough to make one cry tears of joy. Yum.

Photos courtesy of the Toronto Star

The audience boasted some impressive names as well: Kreesha Turner and Stacey McKenzie, for example.

R&B/pop recording artist Kreesha Turner sat front row at SOIA & KYO

Lucian Matis FW 2012

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The crazy.classy.chic experience at World MasterCard Fashion Week began tonight, with Lucian Matis FW2012.

And what a beginning it was!

The show was hosted in a ballroom at the Royal York Hotel, which completely enhanced the experience, with its dazzling chandeliers and overall atmosphere of refined and classic style.

The music was a thrilling mix of techno beats and elegance that suited the show perfectly. It fit the pieces the models [fiercely] walked down the runway; a perfect mix of exquisite design with an edgy, modern twist. We saw lots of black, laser-cut lace, peacock feathers, dangerously high slits and plunging necklines.

Top Trend of the Show: laser-cut lace, without a doubt.