Fashion Week 2009
By Talia Ricci
11 Nov 2009
Fashion Week 2009
by Talia Ricci
The most fashionable week of the year was certainly a buzz in Toronto and Notable was there covering the inspiring, exciting collections that graced the runways. The event kicked off at a venue away from the new location of the tents at King West this year. Vawk by Sunny Vong lit up the runway at the AGO with his beautiful collection inspired by his trip to Bora Bora called "Tattoo Hibiscus." Vong stole the title of winner of Project Runway Canada this year, and what a well deserved win. Models of every shape and age made the show especially entertaining while they showed off leather in smooth golden sand, floral transparent cut outs in the poppy punches of flowing Polynesian dresses.
Notable then headed over to Holt Renfrew for the opening media cocktail hour. Seven Canadian labels were highlighted by Holt Renfrew; Denis Gagnon, Greta Constantine, Jeremy Laing, Lida Baday, Mikhael Kale, Pink Tartan and Smythe. The labels displayed a few looks from their collections. Members of the media shmoozed over wine and fruit tarts anticipating the exciting and hectic week that laid ahead of them.
Back at the tents for the opening speeches on the runway! The fashionable crowd shuffled in as excitement of a week of art and talent filled the air. Robin Kay, the president of the FDCC (Fashion Design Council of Canada) thanked the fashion industry and title sponsors, LG and L'Oreal Paris, for their continued support. "You are all Wear Love," Kay says. This was the very appropriate theme this year. For the first time, the FDCC's Designer Development fund was awarded to Lucian Matis by Lisa Tant from Flare magazine.
On the runway, L'Oreal Paris proudly displayed 100 years of beauty with models representing every decade of fashion, make up and hair. The sponsor, the Stratford Festival, with "Fashion Meets Festival meets Fashion" inspired Canadian designers to transform their past productions into current runway looks.
On day two Notable caught our Fashion Week Affair guest celebrity DJ and designer extraordinaire, Jason Meyers. A memorable show displayed bright coloured party-ready suits for men that certainly grabbed the attention of the audience.
The most anticipated and attended double show of the evening was David Dixon and Barbie by David Dixon. Looks ranged from the glamourous David Dixon line with breezy one shoulder caftans, origami floral folds and feather-like metal paillettes, to feminine Barbie in rich, dark magenta coats and cocktail dresses, big black buttons and even pink soles on the models' feet.
Notable went backstage to interview the talented David Dixon as Ryerson School of Fashion's most notable graduate. He spoke about his positive and educational experience throughout his time there. He also noted that he always tries to give back to the fashion student community.
Day three of Fashion Week NotableTV hit some unforgettable shows in between the event preparation! For Pink Tartan, Kimberley Newport-Mimran kept Uma Thurman in mind when creating a collection for the 'Urban Warrior'. What may be the armour for the modern woman? Stripes, sequins and shoulder pads revealed.
Following Pink Tartan came the other half of the Mimran household, Joe Fresh, which kick started (literally) with Theodora Richards (daughter of Keith, Rolling Stones) losing and tossing her pumps into the audience. (With grace, of course) Sheer shirt dresses and socks in sunny, soft neutrals made for a fun, upbeat show. Bras were worn on the outside to offset the boyish charm. All available at affordable prices - some even under $20 - in the Spring collection at your local Joe Fresh.
Fashion Week is also about the chic attendees on either side of the runway and Notable spoke with Barbara Atkins, Vice President Fashion Direction at Holt Renfrew. With decades of experience as an arbiter of fashion sense, she feels that LG Fashion Week is important in creating awareness of the industry in our country. Her tips for our Notable young professionals are to discover your talent, what makes you happiest then "live and breathe what your life was meant to do."
Glen Baxter from In Fashion on Fashion Television invited Julian Brass from Notable up to their exclusive lounge and live stage and highlighted key shows of the day. Baxter gave props to the Project Runway alumni for appearing full force on the LG Fashion Week roster.
Our Fashion Week Affair event feature Jason Meyers was a huge success. Fashionista's and VIP's joined us at Brassaii to celebrate Fashion Week and the talent, to mingle and listen to good music. Thanks to everyone who came out.
Notable started day four by spending some time backstage with Monica Mei of AIME while she prepared her models for the runway. We got a sneak peak of her beautiful spring/summer collection. Sheer neutral jersey tees accented with pop paisley prints and metallic details draped beautifully from her models and of course looked fabulous on the runway.
Evan Biddell, the showman of the week, pre-empted his collection with a custom superhero animation, moody flashes of lightning and stormy music. He played with big, circular shapes intended to block out the sun in his futuristic space battle with ready hooded harem suits and planetary gowns. Sponsored by LG, star-dusted statement jewelry served as holsters for the LG Chocolate, re-instating the ubiquitous cell phone as fashion accessory. His final look; a large, billowing dress in bold vermillion as if he took the sun itself from the sky and sent it down the runway. The audience floored with what they had seen and gave a standing ovation.
Rudsak brought the tone back to earthly every day wear with his supple leather on leather ensembles in warm greys as well as preppy jackets and shorts in Americano red, white and blue combinations.
NADA utilized black lace, feathers and yards of chains and pearls to create gorgeous evening gowns. The look was a modernized, rocker-chic Marie Antoinette.
After an incredible week the final day of Fashion Week was filled with high expectations and plenty of energy. Jessica Biffi's collection showed off her fun and very unique designs from a futuristic neon coloured dress to satin one pieces in beautiful pastels and thematic gold headpieces on her models. We spoke with Biffi of Project Runway Canada afterward and she explained the excitement and work that goes into a show. "To me you can have a lookbook, and save all the costs involved in having models and showing anywhere and that whole stress of presenting it to the media, and it's the same thing. But to me a show is supposed to be a show." Her hard work and stress was certainly worth it and apparent through her amazing collection.
Next we caught up with Melissa Austria of GOTSTYLE menswear store. She stressed how much talent there is in Canada as the show displayed all Canadian designers in menswear. From beautiful trench coats, chic tailored suits and trendy everyday wear right down to the designer underwear. "I think there's a lack of awareness," Austria says. "But I think people want to shop local."
Lucian Matis of Project Runway and the man of the evening had everyone intrigued as a glittery disco ball and circus music introduced his show. A printed clown face chiffon dress was the first to enter, the model wore an unusual silver metal head piece. The audience was left in wonder as to what would be next. Matis' collection was nothing short of stunning. Golden twists of chiffon and other soft, muted colours draped perfectly over the models. Studs were used to perfection. Matis spoke with Notable after his show stressing the challenge of understanding the material, and how he enjoys surprising his audience. His challenge was most certainly met as the audience buzzed about the beautiful draping and dresses to die for.
The week concluded with a powerful, mind-shifting show put on by the Stephen Lewis foundation that 'dared' designers to create dresses to be auctioned off for charity. Images of children in Africa and haunting facts about the aids epidemic caught everyone's attention as a beautiful choir introduced the show with live African music. Celebrity models such as Angela Smith of Entertainment Tonight, singer/songwriter Jully black, MTV personality Jessi Cruikshank, model Stacey Mckenzie and many more contributed to a moving show that had a different element from the rest that concluded with a standing ovation.
Notable was proud to take part in this extraordinary week filled with unforgettable fashion, incredible talent, art, and ongoing excitement. Everyone involved deserves to be recognized for putting on a highly successful event. We guarantee you that Notable will be alongside the runways for the next Fashion Week to capture the trailing dresses and the pouting lips once again. Until then, Dare to Wear Love.
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