Sustainable fashion, “Is there really such a thing, Kim?” A co-worker of mine asked me as we walked to get a much needed 3 o’clock java hit. We were discussing the growing amount of environmentally conscious clothing lines that are out there. She then pointed out the irony in the fashion industry’s claim to change the world, one Roots bamboo cotton top at a time, “but isn’t the fashion industry the people who tell you to change your clothes every season, every year. You know, that what you’re wearing is out of style and that it’s time for you to buy what‘s in?”

I smiled politely, accepting the fact that nothing could change this bird’s mind. But did this cynic have a point? Was this all yet another bandwagon to hop onto?

Soon after, I attended the Green Show and I didn’t lose that conversation. The Distillery’s Fermenting Cellar provided the perfect back drop to the event, a perfect juxtaposition of industrial and ecological. An eclectic array of Toronto’s fashionistas and bohemian save the Earth types all gathered around the also eco-friendly bar, where everyone sipped local vino and did as told, “please save your glass.”

As I grabbed my seat for the fashion show, I was excited to see what designs could emerge out of sustainable fabrics. Some designs, were truly one of a kind, others were, “hmm, I’ve seen that in Chinatown before, and some were really, ‘Wow!’” But all in all, amongst all of Toronto’s glitterati and really cool lighting, I was torn.

Is the attraction to green fashion, the designs themselves, that it’s eco-friendly, or that it’s the new trend?

I must admit though, that sustainable fashion has certainly come a long way from simply hemp and burlap, remember the ponchos? It has truly evolved into ready to wear clothing. But then another question was evoked, was the wow factor the designs themselves or the idea that you could feel good and thus proudly say, “Madams et monsieurs, I am saving the planet by wearing this. What are you doing for our environment and the future?”

I thought back to my conversation at Starbucks with my well witted office compadre and thought about the coffee tumbler that I had bought that day. It was made out of recycled material, and it had “Recycle, Reduce, Reuse” written all over it. I don’t know if I bought it because it looked good, or because it was a responsible choice, or both.

So, maybe that’s just it, sustainable fashion maybe here to stay, it may be a fad, as some see it. It may be a bandwagon to jump on, but as I see it, isn’t this a good one? Call it a fascination about being green, that it makes us feel better, or even funky with some of the designs out there. In response to my coworker’s remark, fashion does tell us to change up our style. It continues to tell us what is out, and so last season. But fashionistas and non-fashionistas alike, anything sustainable is totally in, so figure it out whether you’re on, off or running beside the wagon, because it’s going.

Written By: Kim Cuachon

Photography By: Krist Papas

I bet you Sir Alfred Hitchcock didn’t think that his work would be intertwined with haute couture. That The Birds would make an appearance as centerpieces on cocktail rounds. And that his illustrious Psycho shower scene would serve as a back drop for a $10 a shot photo booth. It was a night of dramatic design, performance and ensembles, paying homage to the mastermind of terror who said it best, “What is drama but life with the dull bits cut out.”

Psycho shower photo booth

The 22nd Annual Fashion Cares presents Fashion Scares was held Saturday night at the Metro Convention Centre, and it brought together a wide spectrum of Toronto’s Socialites. The red carpet, decorated with the who’s who of the night, included, television host and celebrity designer Steven Sabados, City TV News host Anne Mroczkowski, and Fashion Cares Chair, Michael King to name a few. It also included, ice-skating grim reapers.

Steven Sabados (above) Michael King and Katy Perry (bellow)

Ice skating grim reapers

Fashion Icon and Honourary Chair, Jeanne Beker, kicked off the festivities, with a heart-felt introduction to the evening’s cause, “Like a phoenix that has risen…we are all here because of the people who we have loved and loss to AIDS.” To date, Fashion Cares has raised over $10 million dollars for the Aids Committee of Toronto (ACT), the largest aids organization in Toronto.

The host of the evening was Canadian Filmmaker, David Furnish, with his statuesque, co-host, Canadian Model, Yasmine Warsame. Who educated the audience on the affects of AIDS in Toronto, “Everyone is vulnerable and capable of contracting AIDS…two people become affected each day. That is why more awareness and education is necessary.”

Fritz Helder and the Phantoms, brought up the excitement dressed as glamourous skeletons, rhinestoned out from head to toe. Followed by a costume competition of the top ten best-dressed attendees, handpicked off the red carpet, for bragging rights of “Best Costume”.

Fritz Helder and the Phantoms

Fade in the unforgettable Hitchcock theme song, complete with the Psycho, Norman Bates house backdrop, and the fashion show was underway. The extravagant twenty piece orchestra and members of the National Ballet of Canada, provided on stage dramatization and reenactments of eminent scenes from Hitchcock’s classics, such as Psycho, The Birds and Vertigo. Designers included Pink Tartan, David Dixon, Greta Constantine and Izzy Camilleri.

Katy Perry got the crowd singing along to her hit, “I Kissed a Girl” and Kreesha Turner, provided soulful jazz and r&b flavour. Dame Shirley Bassey headlined the event, with her 1971, James Bond theme song “Diamonds Are Forever.”

(left to right) Dame Shirley Bassey, Katy Perry and Kreesha Turner

Fashion Cares Producer and Artistic Director Philip Ing of MAC Cosmetics in an earlier interview with Fashion Television said, “We’ve already got enough make up on, and that mixed with the high fashion that comes out every year…why not make it happen with Halloween, and the timing has just worked out great.”

With all the elements, Fashion Cares, has exceeded all expectations yet again. Just like a well-directed film, and with that in mind, in Hitchcock’s words, “A good film is when the price of the dinner, the theatre admission and the babysitter were worth it,” And boys and girls, it was.

Written By: Kim Cuachon

Native princess meets harlequin romance, envelopped with the attitude needed for the now. That was the tone of MMH. Melinda-Mae Harlingten has certainly surpassed, pretty in pink de rigueur for Spring ’09.

“prêt-a-porter design” photo: L’Oreal Fashion Week

Tailored shorts and jackets, with muted earth tones, echoed a strong feminine aura on the stage as if warriors were being sent out first, just as in tribal tradition. Side braids with head bands, finished with a simple large feather provided that little extra head nod.

A montage of fluid, free flowing dresses provided the contrast, like one Pocahontas after another, showcasing ripple dresses to full length jersey dresses. It trailed with a little bit of stardust, although juxtaposed with the feathered hair accessories; earthy necklaces and bangles. The dresses, because of their movement, provided the romance, naturally synonymous with native princesses – strong and mysterious, flirty and still honourable.

MMH has provided women, something to Spring forward on. Just as in her uncomplicated, non-threatening, anyone can do this, prêt-a-porter designs; she is thus proving the point that women can do it all. Just like our ever changing economy, we can be that warrior, ready to battle whatever is thrown at us. We can get things done and still be trendy, with great versatility, therefore, the option to be that native princess, should we choose.

“we can be that warrior” photo: L’Oreal Fashion Week