Toronto Fashion Week Doesn’t Have Any Real Friends

Editor’s Note: If Toronto Fashion Week had real friends, they would tell her that the lighting was garish at the Allstream Centre, that the Allstream Centre was basically in Etobicoke. She would hold her while she cried for nights on end about how there is no support and no money for young talent in Toronto or Canada and that’s why she must keep whoring her self, for cheaper and cheaper as the years go on and she sinks further into the depths of “for real? this is the best you can do?” If Toronto Fashion Week had any real friends, maybe they would save her from herself.

In any case, Pinkie braved what she could and found something nice to say about almost everyone…

Its officially day three of Toronto’s LG Fashion Week, I know already.

I kept it pretty low key the first couple days, but no more!!

Today on the schedule is Orange by Angela Chen, Lundström Collection and Evan Biddell.

Vancouver native Angela Chen who first launched her line, Orange, in New York City but is hitting the home crowd for the first time and she didn’t disappoint. The show was cleverly named “Contrast” and you can see why, as the 23 looks stormed down the runway in shades of black and white. Colour wasn’t the only contrast though, Angela ingeniously contrasted the concrete chic with soft, natural organic elements. This season, Angela’s collection wasn’t about neon brights, or glitzy fabrics encrusted with the sort of gemstones you might see at jewellers like Seventy Seven Diamonds, but focused more on earthy fabrics and muted tones. She accomplished this statement with her use of fabric; wool suiting, silk organza, wool coating, and hand-knit wool and mohair yarn.

The is was a collection of fundamental pieces… the sheer silk organza blouse was delightful with just enough “ummmff” in the sleeves, basic skirts and shorts were draped with soft ripples which managed not to take over the garment. What caught my eye was her attention to detail on the back of the body from pleats, drapes and bows very tactful. My favourites would have to be those lovely oversized hand-knit sweaters that Angela knitted herself, the necklines cascaded, the sleeves ballooned. At times the knits resembled sweaters, capes, dresses, pullovers, shrugs of all lengths that demanded attention as they encased the runway as the fall ”must-haves”. The final pieces in the collection were the pièce de résistance sparkly hand-knit dresses with a sultry flow and swag. Angela, its official you found a new muse… me!!

For More Photos From The Orange Show, Click Here!

Lundstrom

We all know the Lundström name, so imagine the when we heard they were debuting a collection.

Let’s not forget though folks all ties have been cut with award-winning Canadian designer Linda Lundström, but a little bit of her was still evident. With that said you can imagine how packed the show was. The collection made its debut with 39 outfits with inviting ivories, creme camel and chocolate flooded,  and an slight attack of animal prints were also on the lose in the cobra jacquard and leopard-patterned silk.

Numerous shades of gray were on display in boiled wool, mohair and flannel skirts, a metallic boucle coat and skirt in silverish tone and a sheath dress in heather gray I had to catch my breath. Burst of colour were far and few, in shades of claret and turmeric, the pop for me was the claret mohair wrap ensemble layered over the gray pieces… had the entire crowd!! And paired with elbow high gray leather gloves can we say cherry on top.

A magnificent Balmoral plaid coat with a shawl collar sprawling off the shoulder and around the back, with partially inverted pleat that closes with a zipper, layered over a chocolate mohair cardi, with claret turtleneck anchored by delightful riding pants.

Of course the irrestible alpaca cuddle coats that snuggled you in shades of black, and walnut you, and the peacoat in midnight with captivating back seams. We shalt not forget the sequins, my BFF and my fave outfit happened to be the black sequined skirt topped with the white blouse with the cascading collar or maybe the black sequin tunic. They even put sequins on a mohair evening, I swear!! Everyone held their breathes for the LaParka outerwear and capes, relax they’re still here, but the new Collection has a lil more of luxury swag in cashmere, mohair, camel and alpaca. The grande finale was an exposed back bias-cut silk velvet gown in jet black blinged out in crystal ornamentation by Shay Lowe.

Will this be enough to carry on the Lundstrom name… We’ll just have to wait and see.

Evan Biddell

Evan Biddell was next on the runway with is collection that pushed the envelope and bursted it open.

The show began with a short whimiscal French-inspired film which introduced the audience to the cast of this production. The collection was titled “Prehistory” featuring Andy Warhols-inspired prints, black neoprene, leather and cork, yes I said cork and its looks divine.

Biddell contorted fabrics and silhouettes Iike the exaggrated thighs FYI the harem pants and tuxedo leggings, backs scalloped and draped all at once, the futuristic shapes.

The crowd was on its heels for the gold kimono with massively elongated shoulders, hoods where structured and bomber jacket, shorts and several shirt dresses. The insane leather fringes hung long, draped on the front and back of models, even at times tucked in, I must find a way to pull this off!!

Today on the schedule for Day 4: Jessica Biffi, Pink Tartan, Joe Fresh

Jessica Biffi

Day 4 kicked off with an initimate LGFW VIP media event for Jessica Biffi’s “plus” line ‘Bold Biffi for MXM’ collection which will be available exclusively at 40 Penningtons stores across Canada. Don’t get it twisted fashionistas just cause it was dubbed a “plus” doesn’t me there is anything lacking in the style department. The pieces are designed make a woman feel confident, Biffi says. “It’s all about making women feel good,” she says. “I’m all about power dressing. That’s what I keep in mind when designing: will a woman feel powerful in it?” The collection has amazing wardrobe pieces which are perfect for mixing n matching… the skinny jean, tunic, shrug, coat you know staples. I must say you can tell its Biffi she has her colour all over… she referred to the hues as “primary colours” infused with lovely gem tones in purple and blue.

The outfit that totally did me was the red trench coat over a yellow draped tunic or the pleated tube in white with the black shrug and the dark skinnies, like outfit right there done. What made the event that much better was you actually were able to get a few words in with her and really see how much this means to her, especially assisting plus women with feeling like the can be fashionable.

I would like to thank Jessica from the bottom of our Pink Mafia heart’s for answering our 20 Questions, your the bestest!!

Pink Tartan

One of the most awaited shows @ LGFW is Pink Tartan and you know why when you enter the room. Literally a sea of fashion elite crammed in like sardines in a can. When the show began we all knew why.

The collection had the usual fall colour palette grays, blacks, beiges, whites and the colour pop her was a red which was in dresses .The designs were aviation inspired but to the tenth power… lets just say Amelia Earheart would have a field day. A basic silhouette of A-line dresses and skirts, tailored blouses where still present amidst the chic eye-catching-details like touches of laces, zippers, billowly bows long sleeve turtlenecks and collars of real fur.  The signature finishing to each look was leather aviator caps which I loved… especially the silverly sequin one (we’ll just have to wait and see if this trend takes off). What I really want to know is where I can get my hands on those bubble jackets… especially that charcoal gray bubble jacket with massive hood. The apple of my eye was the model carrying bouquet of white flowers the graceful mini cream dress with a puff skirt, with capped sleeves rained with pearls.

Joe Fresh

Last up to bat was Joe Fresh, which is what I came for, but if you thought Pink Tartan was crammed then this was busting at the seams. Many of the fashion elite have a little beef with consumer brands like Joe Fresh, but it is what it is fashion can be accessible to all. Designer Joesph Mimran’s collection, took some of the essential looks for fur, sequins and capes and transformed them in accessible pieces in this rough economy. A relaxed military chic embodied the collection in neutral tones dolled up in velvet, metallics and zippers. As always the one thing I truly love about Joe Fresh is the outwear, that camo parka, fur peacoat and mohair trench, enough said!! Did anyone else notice the shoes… oxfords, lether stud boots, dessert boots. I can’t wait… and neither can my pocketbook. Off to Loblaws we go!!

Happy Fashion Week!!!

xoxo

Pinkie