The penultimate fashion show, ending two long weeks of air kissing and finagling for front-row seats, was David Dixon’s eponymous line. The socialites may have been exhausted, but we still spotted long-time supporter Suzanne Rogers, Dixon’s brother and Daytime Toronto host Glenn, Jenna Bitove, Lovas designer Wesley Badanjak and Fashion Television host Jeanne Beker. Our favourite looks were the lace overlays on top of shimmery ivory in skirts, minis and a boat-neck top that would be perfect for summer parties. Similarly ideal for getting gussied up was the white trench with a stripe of black at the hem with floral appliqués. Check out our review and a gallery featuring David Dixon’s full spring/summer 2012 collection after the jump.

Check out David Dixon’s spring/summer 2012 collection »

Dixon’s styling seemed bolder and edgier this year, and we loved the cocktail rings, metallic ropes, a cross-shoulder chain and leather cuffs with attached chains that saved two black evening gowns from being otherwise unremarkable. The oversized butterfly print Dixon used on a one-shoulder black dress and an exposed back number wasn’t a crowd favourite (one nearby guest was overheard remarking, “It looks so Shopping Channel”), and some looks—like a knee-length halter and a series of long black dresses—weren’t really inventive enough for a runway show. Dixon’s show won’t have the fashion media scrambling to crown him the new king of cool, but many women will find something to covet in this season’s collection—even if they buy it on The Shopping Channel.

David Dixon spring/summer 2012 (Images: Jenna Marie Wakani)

Check out all of the hits and misses from the David Dixon spring/summer 2012 show at Toronto Fashion Week, including sheer overlays, silk flower appliqués and a few ho-hum designs (Check out our review, and cruise the gallery after the jump to check out the entire show).

Click on to see our start-to-finish gallery from the David Dixon spring/summer 2012 runway »

1. LG FASHION WEEK
Some of the city’s more fashionable citizens have been accumulating this year behind Roy Thomson Hall to check out what’ll be big next spring from the likes of Pink Tartan, Bustle, Cynthia Rowley and the eminently wearable Joe Fresh. The most high-style week of the year (or one of two, at least) wraps up on Friday with shows by David Dixon and Denis Gagnon. To October 21. Various prices. David Pecaut Square (formerly Metro Square), King St. W. between John and Simcoe streets, lgfashionweek.ca.

2. INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS
Once again it’s storytime for grownups (and very precocious children) at Harbourfront. Big-name writers like Michael Ondaatje, Miriam Toews, Johanna Skibsrud and Douglas Coupland will be taking part in panels, book signings and, most importantly, readings at this 12-day literary fest. To October 30. $10-$35. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, readings.org.

3. OPERANATION 8: A MUSE BALL
This year’s fundraising gala for the Canadian Opera Company’s COC Ensemble Studio, a training program for aspiring opera singers, is all about artistic inspiration. The tortured singer-songwriter–cum–opera composer Rufus Wainwright is the extra-special musical guest; expect his signature baroque pop sound, lots of dancing and copious references to great muses, past and present. October 21. $150. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, 145 Queen St. W., 416-363-8231, coc.ca.

4. TORONTO ZOMBIE WALK (FREE!)
This five-kilometre stroll is not like other walks that take place in the city from time to time. Lycra rarely makes an appearance, for one thing, and there’s more shambling, ragged clothing and faux decomposition. Registration required. October 22. Trinity Bellwoods Park, torontozombiewalk.ca.

5. TORONTO AFTER DARK FILM FESTIVAL
For those seeking to get in the Halloween spirit in a less participatory fashion (i.e. costumes not required), this annual shiver-inducing fest is key. Zombies appear on the lineup, naturally, with the world premiere of Marko Makilaakso’s War of the Dead. Also on offer this weekend, Father’s Day, a very, very violent tale of a vigilante on the hunt for a serial killer, and Redline, a seven-years-in-the-making anime featuring a psychotic cross-planetary death race. To October 27. Screenings $13, gala screenings $15. Toronto Underground Cinema, 186 Spadina Ave., 647-992-4335, torontoafterdark.com.

6. HOW TO SUCCEED: A MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO DES MCANUFF
Stratford Shakespeare Festival artistic director Des McAnuff gets the tribute show treatment with this fundraising concert for, naturally, the Des McAnuff Scholarship Awards at Ryerson’s theatre school. The show features performances of songs from McAnuff-directed hits Jesus Christ Superstar, Jersey Boys and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. October 23. $50, gala tickets $150. Koerner Hall, The Royal Conservatory, 273 Bloor St. W., 416-408-0208, rcmusic.ca.

7. LES COQUETTES PRESENT CABARET ENCHANTÉ
Most people know that the original versions of fairy tales collected by the Grimm brothers et al. aren’t quite as warm and fuzzy as the more popular retellings—blood and gore and horrible endings for innocent children were pretty common. Just keep that in mind when taking in this cabaret burlesque show from Les Coquettes. “Beloved fairy tale characters” make up the cast, but expect the darker sides of their stories to emerge. October 23 to 30. $15–$30. Revival, 783 College St., 1-877-821-7803, lescoquettes.com.

8. MICHAEL JACKSON: THE IMMORTAL WORLD TOUR
Highly anticipated and only in town for a very short run, this Michael Jackson tribute incorporates some of the King of Pop’s most well-known and loved songs and Cirque du Soleil’s terrifying acrobatics. It’s also set in the “fantastical realm” of Jackson’s “inner world” which, frankly, sounds just as scary. We can’t wait. October 21 to 23. $50–$175. Air Canada Centre, 50 Bay St., 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.

(Images: Jeremy Laing model, Jenna Marie Wakani; zombie nurse, Christopher Brian from the Torontolife.com Flickr pool; Ondaatje, Tulane Public Relations)

These women used to eat peanut butter sandwiches for dinner. (Image: Rent Frock Repeat)

Dropping a couple of mortgage payments on a dress that may be worn only once was not always such a gauche sign of indulgence (insert buzz word: recession). Now, like a DVD at a failing Blockbuster Video, we can rent a dress for a fraction of the price at the newly launched online dress-rental service Rent Frock Repeat, and then, well, send it back when we’re bored of it .

The premise: Penny-pinching shoppers browse online to take their pick of in-season pieces by Doo.Ri, Milly, Jay Godfrey, Preen, Robert Rodriguez, Badgley Mischka, Catherine Malandrino, Pink Tartan, Shoshanna and Christian Siriano (best remembered as the loud, pint-sized pixie with catchphrases from Project Runway), among others. Vanity sizers, yo-yo dieters and women who are between sizes can benefit from having two sizes delivered to ensure the perfect fit (they also have a stylist to gently suggest—via e-mail, phone or chat—that the pashmina we might be after is so five years ago).

The cost: The rental is around 15 to 20 per cent of the retail price (post-party dry-cleaning is included), and every dress can be kept for four or eight days. An emerald-green silk sack dress from Ports 1961, for example, usually retailing for $895, can be rented for $150, while $60 gets us a sleeveless red David Dixon shift dress (which usually retails for $350).

The sales pitch: “Renting a dress gives you the freedom to wear something a bit bolder or brighter than maybe something you would invest in—there is a feeling of freedom that comes along with having our virtual closet at your disposal, and none of the buyer’s remorse,” says co-owner Kristy Wieber. The freedom to wear bold colours and the option to never leave the couch? Welcome to the rebirth of Peggy Bundy.

Designs by last year's winner of Toronto Fashion Incubator’s New Labels® competition, Anastasia Lomonova (Image: Anastasia Lomonova)

Canada isn’t short on talent, but it sure is lacking opportunities to showcase it. That’s why, when one comes up, we like to celebrate it. Coming April 14 to the Design Exchange is the annual version of America’s Got Talent, Toronto Fashion Incubator’s New Labels® competition, which pits young aspiring designers against each other for a prize of $10,000 in cash and design opportunities valued at $40,000. This year’s judging panel is a roster of fashion plates, including Lisa Tant from Flare, stylist Peter Papapetrou, Holt Renfrew’s Natalie Lecomte, former New Labels® winner Cynthia Florek, designer David Dixon and the Toronto Star’s Derick Chetty. The winner will also get a chance to design an outfit for Sears Canada (this lifts our spirits considerably, because new blood means we may never have to sit through a Jay Manuel show again). Tickets for the gala are $60 and can be purchased on-line from the Toronto Fashion Incubator.

Dixon and his dolls (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

Running an hour late amid on-again off-again cancellation rumours, David Dixon’s “Escape to Jakarta” fall/winter showcase did not get off to a good start. Impatient audience members had already stood in a 40-minute line for admittance and became increasingly impatient as they waited in their seats for the kickoff. Front row yawns were spotted, and at least one “okay, this better be fierce” was overheard.

A fierce start it was not. Instead of rushing forward with the show, we were treated to a filmed retrospective titled Sweet Sixteen, a compilation of black and white montages, lengthy voiceovers and various looks from the past. Had it begun at its original 9:30 p.m. start time (the show finally got rolling at 11 p.m.), we might have smiled and feigned interest in the sentiment, but thanks to whatever we’re-so–New York schedule LG Fashion Week is operating on, we were starting to feel like this whole affair was meant to serve as punishment. Suffer for fashion, right? See the full collection and our review after the jump.

See David Dixon’s full fall/winter 2011 collection »

The show’s highlights began with a flowing red crepe de Chine leopard print gown with leather paillette detailing around the neck, while a selection of not-too-fussy jackets and coats were featured prominently in black, including a standout topper made of sequin and boiled wool. Black and white dresses in ikat cottons and organzas were the strongest allusion to Indonesia, while a black floor-length gown with leather polka dots and capped sleeves offered a modern take on a ball gown.

Less intriguing looks included a knee-length dress in white with a black lace and laser cut overlay, as well as “digital python” charmeuse pieces that came across far more exciting in name than in execution. Dixon knows how to make feminine frocks, but this vision became muddled in an assortment of repetitive prints or, in one case, a fringe skirt made of sheet metal that fell apart on the runway.

After the show, we snapped out of our dreamlike journey to Jakarta and, clutching to our gifted VitaminWater, went in search of the nearest exit.

Meow (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

In what was likely the longest show this week, we saw some highs in David Dixon’s prints and a low in his metallic skirt. At the end of the day, though, what girl doesn’t romanticize a little place called Jakarta? See the full runway collection below.

Is there anything Schnarre can't do? (Image: -Nikkon-)

The Shopping Channel has announced its seasonal Canadian Designer Week (March 21–25) to inspire the haves and have-nots to support homegrown fashions. Admittedly, we don’t usually care about The Shopping Channel, but the list of designers on this season’s roster caught our eye: Wayne Clark, Lucian Matis, model-cum-designer Monika Schnarre, David Dixon and Brian Bailey (a.k.a. Canada’s Tim Gunn).

From what we can tell, expect Dixon’s famous feminine silhouettes, a bit of shimmer from Schnarre’s sequin option, figure-flattering officewear from Matis and everyday essentials from Bailey and Clarke. We’ll warn you now, though: a lot of it screams run-of-the-mill mom dressing, but as is the case in Canadian fashion, there are sure to be diamonds in the rough.

A celebrity models a red dress (Image: teadrinker)

Fashion month spawns a series of spectacles, but nothing is as ego-free as the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s “Heart Truth“ runway show (March 24th, The Carlu). The formula: Canadian designers send local notables and celebrities down a runway wearing variations of a red dress in support of heart and stroke awareness. See the full list of celebrity-designer pairings after the jump.

This year marks the introduction of male models (Rick Campanelli, Jim McKenny and Colin Mochrie) to the Heart and Stroke runway, but they won’t be wearing cocktail dresses. Yorkville haberdasher V Hazelton will dress the boys, although we wouldn’t mind seeing Mochrie in a red-hot number.

The mystery designs won’t be revealed until later this month, but we’re confident we’ll see great things from Marie Saint Pierre, Izzy Camilleri, VAWK and David Dixon. Of course, in this case, the designs are far less important than the cause. We consider that the heart of the matter.

• Andrea Martin dressed by Farley Chatto
• Arlene Dickinson dressed by Izzy Camilleri
• Bal Arneson dressed by Jessica Biffi
• Buffy Sainte-Marie dressed by Paul Hardy
• Chan Hon Goh dressed by Ross Mayer
• Colin Mochrie dressed by V Hazelton
• Deborah Cox dressed by Kaelen Farncombe
• Debra McGrath dressed by Karamea
• Dina Pugliese dressed by LOVAS
• Dr. Christiane Laberge dressed by Vanessa
• Elisha Cuthbert dressed by VAWK
• Emmanuelle Vaugier dressed by Greta Constantine
• Enuka Okuma dressed by Starkers
• Gabrielle Miller dressed by Eugenia
• Isabelle Brasseur dressed by Marie Saint Pierre
• Megan Follows dressed by David Dixon
• Mylène Dinh-Robic dressed by Simon Chang
• Rick Campanelli dressed by V Hazelton
• Tré Armstrong dressed by Joeffer Caoc
• Wendy Crewson dressed by Ines Di Santo
• Jim McKenny dressed by V Hazelton

ASHLEY ROWE
The young Toronto designer is holding a trunk show this Saturday with pieces from her fall collection. Shoppers will get a free splatter-painted tee with their purchase. Nov. 27. 12–2. RAC Boutique, 124 Cumberland St., ashleyrowe.com.

BEAN SPROUT
Parents can stock up on winter boots, snowsuits and coats for the kids from such brands as Geox, Rip Zone and Kenneth Cole; everything is at least 20 per cent off. 565 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-932-3727, beansprout.ca.

CANOPY BLUE
For one night, all merchandise in the womenswear boutique is 25 per cent off. Ten dollars from every purchase will go to Blessing in a Backpack, a local charity that provides in-school meals for children. Champagne and nibbles sweeten the deal. RSVP to 416-483-2583. Nov. 26. 2582 Yonge St.

ESPRIT
At this warehouse sale, clothing and accessories for men and women are up to 80 per cent off regular price. View the sales flyer here. Nov. 24, 6–9 p.m.; Nov. 25 and 26, 9–9; Nov. 27 and 28, 9–6. Queen Elizabeth Building, 190 Princes Blvd.

FGI SAMPLE SALE
The Fashion Group International of Toronto is holding a sale with some of Toronto’s most well-known designers: David Dixon, Philip Sparks, Nada and more. Nov. 25 and 26. 10–7. 579 Richmond St. W., Ste. 200.

HOLIDAY POP-UP CLOSET
Winter clothing and holiday gifts (all either limited edition or event exclusives) are on offer at this pop-up shop inside our favourite west-end shoe boutique. Look for pieces from Assembly New York, Pendleton, Duy and more. Plus, the proceeds go to the Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. Nov. 26 to 28. Chasse Gardée, 1084 Queen St. W., 416-901-9613.

HOLT RENFREW
Italian fashion masters Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi of Aquilano.Rimondi are at Holts for a trunk show of their colourful 1970s-inflected spring collection. Nov. 25. 10–4, personal appearance 1–3. 50 Bloor St. W., 416-922-2333, holtrenfrew.com.

JESSICA JENSEN
The handbag and leather goods designer is opening a temporary shop for the holiday season with up to 70 per cent off her accessories. Nov. 25 to Dec. 12. 972 Queen St. W., shopjessicajensen.com.

JOSEPHSON OPTICIANS
The venerable Toronto eyewear chain is holding its annual sale, with up to 70 per cent off frames. Until Nov. 30. 60 Bloor St. W., 416-964-7070, plus five other GTA locations.

LINEA INTIMA
Print out this coupon and receive a bra fitting, as well as $25 off the purchase of a bra. Until Nov. 30. 1925 Avenue Rd., 416-780-1726, plus four other GTA locations, lineaintima.com.

PEACH BERSERK
Just before holiday parties begin, Peach Berserk is offering 25 per cent off all its hand-printed silk dresses, including custom-ordered numbers. Also 25 per cent off are gift certificates for the store’s silkscreen workshops (included with the purchase is a Peach Berserk silkscreening how-to book and a bag—silkscreened, naturally). Until Nov. 30. 507 Queen St. W., 416-504-1711, peachberserk.com.

RITA TESOLIN
The Toronto jewellery designer’s beautiful baubles are up to 90 per cent off at this sample sale. Nov. 27 and 28, 10–6. 63 Wingold Ave., Ste. 110.

TYKE THREADS
The on-line boys’ clothing store is opening a pop-up shop for the holiday shopping season with deals on such brands as Ben Sherman, House of Mongrel, Appaman and Wonderboy. Nov. 27 to 29, 10–7. Cool East Market, 1390 Danforth Ave., tykethreads.com.

UKAMAKU CHRISTMAS POP-UP SHOP
The on-line retailer is opening a holiday store for two days at the Hazelton Hotel with women’s clothing and accessories from Carrie Hayes, Jessica Jensen, Véronique Miljkovitch, Zoran Dobric and Darlene Martin. Nov. 26 and 27. 11–6:30. Hazelton Hotel, Yorkville Room, 118 Yorkville Ave., ukamaku.com.

VIRGINIA JOHNSON
Toronto’s master of prints is holding a three-day sample sale a few doors north of her Ossington boutique. Go early. Nov. 25 and 26, 11–7; Nov. 27, 11–6. 138 Ossington Ave., virginiajohnson.com.

VOCADO
At the Liberty Village shop’s annual holiday party, shoppers get 15 per cent off regular-price clothing and accessories, as well as a $50 gift card with purchases over $100. RSVP to laura.harkness@vocado.ca. Nov. 25, 5–8. 171 East Liberty St., Unit 121, 647-347-7153, vocado.ca.

WHITE
Canadian designer Rita Vinieris, the brains behind Rivini’s bridal creations, will be in the boutique to help outfit brides in the perfect gown. By appointment only. Nov. 26 and 27, 10–6. 19 Hazelton Ave., 416-849-9196, whitetoronto.com.

HOME

AU LIT FINE LINENS
Pillows and duvets from the Au Lit Essentials collection are 25 per cent off the regular price. Until Nov. 30. 2049 Yonge St., 416-489-7010, aulitfinelinens.com.

ELTE
All Karastan carpets and broadloom are 20 per cent off this month. Until Nov. 30. 80 Ronald Ave., 416-785-7885, elte.com.

CRATE AND BARREL
All glassware, dinnerware and barware is up to 25 per cent off. Until Nov. 29. Yorkdale Shopping Centre, 2401 Dufferin St., 416-657-4100.

GINGER’S
Bathroom renovators, take note. This month, all Waterworks bathtubs are 20 per cent off. Until Nov. 30. 95 Ronald Ave., 416-787-1787, gingers.com.

STUDIO B
At this sale, floor models are between 20 and 50 per cent off. The grand Reina upholstered bed is now $5,300 (regularly $10,605). 334 King St. E., 416-363-2996, studiobhome.com.

STYLE GARAGE
Has it been 10 years already? The Toronto furniture store celebrates its first decade by offering 10 per cent off all made-to-order sofas, lounge chairs and sectionals. Until Nov. 30. 938 Queen St. W., 416-534-4343, stylegarage.com.

EVENTS

PHOTORAMA
This photography sale has deals on works by big names like Ed Burtynsky and up-and-comers. Most pieces are between $200 and $600. Nov. 26 and 27 and Nov. 30 to Dec. 4. Noon–7. Gallery TPW, 56 Ossington Ave., gallerytpw.ca.

Dare to Wear Love, the Zombie Walk and John Waters

1.    POMEGRANATE FILM FESTIVAL
This celebration of Armenian cinema is now in its fifth year, featuring an array of genres, from documentaries to experimental shorts. The buzziest event is Friday’s screening of Atom Egoyan’s racy Chloe, after which the director will participate in a Q&A session. Oct. 22 to 24. $10. Regent Theatre, 551 Mount Pleasant Rd., 416-500-1694, pomegranatefilmfestival.com.

2.    DARE TO WEAR LOVE GALA
The closing-night show at LG fashion week, Dare to Wear is both on-trend and cause-conscious. On the style front, such celeb models as Tara Spencer Nairn and Keshia Chanté will rock Canadian designs by the likes of Brian Bailey, Evan Biddell, Lucian Matis, David Dixon and Comrags. As if that’s not enough reason to drop $300 (the cost of a VIP package that includes A-list seating and a swag bag), proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Oct. 22. $60–$300. Heritage Court, Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd., lgfashionweek.ca.

3.    TORONTO ZOMBIE WALK (FREE!)
Last month, GQ proclaimed zombies the monster du jour, beating out vampires, werewolves and hobbits for the top spot. But Torontonians have never swayed from their love of the shambling ones, as evidenced by our yearly commitment to donning our shabbiest clothes, forgoing sleep for a day or three (it makes for a much more believable pallor) and snacking on the neighbours. Oct. 23. Trinity Bellwoods Park, 1053 Dundas St. W., torontozombiewalk.ca.

4.    LES COQUETTES PRESENT FIRST BITE
It’s really not Halloween without sexy, scary burlesque, so we’re checking out the part gory, part glamorous and, judging by the photos on the ladies’ Web site, very, very bloody show. Our only quibble? The promo poster is a clear homage to that True Blood Rolling Stone cover, but it sadly lacks even a little Alexander Skarsgård. Oct. 24 and 31. $15–$30. Revival, 783 College St. W., lescoquettes.com.

5.    PHANTOMS OF THE ORCHESTRA
A spooky, kid-friendly take on classical, this Magic Circle Mime Co. production features an undead orchestra, and the audience is encouraged to attend in costume. Sounds like our kind of party. Oct. 23. $20–$31.25. Roy Thomson Hall, 60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255, tso.ca,

6.    INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS
This 11-day literary extravaganza features 64 events attended by 168 authors and experts who hail from 16 countries. Frankly, it’s a little overwhelming. The round table discussions (with such themes as graphic novels, fictional fugitives and the charmingly ambitious Publishing All Over the World) are interesting, but we’re going to hear our favourite authors (especially John Waters and Jonathan Franzen) read to us. Oct. 20 to 30. Various prices. Brigantine Room, York Quay Centre, 235 Queens Quay W., 416-973-4000, readings.org.

7.    HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH DALAI LAMA
Usually when we call someone “His Holiness,” it’s because they just shoved us getting off the subway and we’re being snarky. When we refer to the Dalai Lama that way, we actually mean it. The Tibetan Buddhist leader is in Toronto speaking about ways we can advocate for peace on a personal, community and global level. Oct. 22. $29.95–$59.25. Rogers Centre, 1 Blue Jays Way, 416-870-8000, ticketmaster.ca.

8.    MARGARET CHO
Brash and bitchy, Margaret Cho is our favourite comedian-author-actor-musician. She’ll be blurring the lines between her many sides with this show, a musical stand-up set that features ruminations on sex, drugs, rock and roll, and lice, apparently. Oct. 22. $29.50–$49.40. Massey Hall, 178 Victoria St., 416-872-4255, masseyhall.com.

(Images: Dare to Wear Love by Brian Summers, Toronto Zombie Walk by Bahman, John Waters by Musicisentropy.)

A look from David Dixon's fall 2010 collection (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

The buzz around the Allstream Centre on Thursday was that over 1,600 people had RSVP’d for David Dixon’s two back-to-back shows. Such society ladies as Suzanne Rogers (wearing a pouffy green jacket from Dixon’s last collection) and Catherine Nugent sat front row, as did Rick “The Temp” Campanelli (who was more interested in rubbing his date’s knee than in looking at the clothes) and Kristin Booth. Barbie by David Dixon was the first collection down the runway, offering ’60s-style shifts, laser-cut skirts and slim-fitting wool coats. Dixon’s signature line was more contemporary and almost entirely in shades of black and grey. We liked the hand- and laser-cut organza in skirts and dresses. Rogers must have agreed, because she was first up out of her seat to give a standing ovation, a move followed by many in the room.

View both collections in our slide show >>