The ginger society threw a party, and we weren’t invited (Image: Erin Simkin)

Nights three and four of Toronto Fashion Week were completely packed with household names, like Canada’s Next Top Model walk coach Stacey McKenzie, Kimberley Newport-Mimran, InFashion’s Glen Baxter, media mogul Moses Znaimer, Zoomer’s Suzanne Boyd, philanthropists Catherine Nugent and  W. Bruce C. Bailey and more. Check out who was the most adorable duo in the house and who fashioned a dress out of a duvet after the jump.

The Pink Tartan runway show is always one of the season’s hottest tickets; maybe it’s because the whole affair is a big pleaser for the upper crust (Kimberly Newport-Mimran and her husband Joe have many friends), maybe it’s the stargazing or heck, maybe it’s even the clothes. No matter the reason, there wasn’t an empty seat in the house, which is why we weren’t shocked to hear a cacophony of “Don’t you know who I am?” and “I’m already on the list” from pleading fans. Newport-Mimran’s show brought out names like model Stacey McKenzie (ever demure in a subtle zebra-print onesie with a hood), PR gal Suzanne Cohon, Newport-Mimran’s husband Joe Mimran (of course), philanthropist Catherine Nugent, Teen Vogue’s Gloria Baume, Marie Claire’s Abigail Kalicka and Glamour’s Rachael Wang. Even though people guarded their seats closely, we still spotted some bloggers swooping in at the last second to tweet photos of themselves from the front row, then look at said photos on Twitter—hey, a personal brand wasn’t built in a day. Check out our rundown of the scene, the show and the complete Pink Tartan spring/summer 2012 collection after the jump.

Check out our full gallery from Pink Tartan’s spring/summer 2012 show »

Andrej Pejic, now a fixture of Toronto Fashion Week, walked for Newport-Mimran in a flouncy blue skirt, mesh top and heels. The bright fire-engine red was fun for spring, especially in a sheer blouse (ladies, make sure you wear your best bras) and full-bodied skirt. We also loved the polka-dot theme Newport-Mimran ran with, like a trench, Diane Von Furstenberg–inspired wrap dress and slim clam diggers. Though we’re already tired of exposed zippers (we’ve already seen them at Arthur Mendonça, Amanda Lew Kee and Chloé Comme Parris, not to mention the international runways), somehow Newport-Mimran’s (mostly on the backs of dresses) didn’t bore us. Her closing look, a sparkly metallic button-paillette dress, could be fun for cocktail parties, but aspiring Sydney Bristows take note: the thing rattles louder than Big Ben. Her designs aren’t exactly groundbreaking: pleated skirts, cigarette pants and sheath dresses won’t surprise anyone, but Newport-Mimran does what she does well, with precise fits and impeccable colour choices. When Newport-Mimran took her bow with Pejic by her side, we spotted her take a tumble at the end of the runway; don’t worry, Kim, everyone was too focused on the clothes to pay too much attention anyway.

Pink Tartan spring/summer 2012 (Images: Jenna Marie Wakani)

Check out all of the hits and misses from the Pink Tartan spring/summer 2012 show at Toronto Fashion Week, including laser-cut leather accessories, black cigarette pants and other classics (cruise the gallery after the jump to check out the entire show, and check out what the scene was like in our review).

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

We, just like everyone we know, have balked at Joe Fresh for being a grocery store brand at a fashion week—why are people getting excited about $10 crew-neck T-shirts for men and cheap pencil skirts for women? Not to mention that not everything made goes into production, which is problematic when most of the time Joe Mimran is creating plenty of items that his audience wants (cheaply). Last night, Joe Mimran packed his runway with Canadian model powerhouses, including Heather Marks, Liisa Winkler, Kirsten Owen, Alana Zimmer and Yasmine Warsame; even rising-star model Frances Coombe walked in the show (but she’s been working all week and deserves it), proving once again that Joe has the best models (or at the very least the most exciting models). He showed a series of looks that made up a rather cohesive collection, including leathers, neoprene and daisy crochet knits for women, but what we were truly shocked by was the menswear—we’d buy almost all of it, and we’re left wondering: will it ever make it into stores? Our review of the scene, the show and a full gallery of the collection after the jump.

Click on to see the complete Joe Fresh spring/summer 2012 collection »

The house was fully stocked with boldface names, with society fixtures like philanthropist Catherine Nugent, art collector W. Bruce C. Bailey, media mogul Moses Znaimer, Zoomer’s Suzanne Boyd, House and Home’s Lynda Reeves, singer Keshia Chante, Pink Tartan designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran, Loblaw magnate Galen Weston Jr., Dr. Trevor Born, Alexandra Weston, Teen Vogue’s Gloria Baume, Marie Claire’s Abigail Kalicka, Glamour’s Rachael Wang, Victoria Webster, Steven Sebring, Holt Renfrew president Mark Derbyshire and too many more to name—it was so full that people littered the steps of the bleachers to catch a glimpse of the show. Joe was wowing everyone, including style scribe Sarah Nicole Prickett, who was overheard saying, “I’d buy this shit,” and a gentleman behind us, who was commenting on most of the menswear (and the men’s bodies—again, Joe gets good models). We saw Joe orange in many forms, like contrasting collars, men’s slacks and on the soles of shoes (is orange the new brick sole?), but what we loved the most was the use of patterns and textures on shirts, pants, blazers and dresses—it felt like a sense of humour was being injected into Toronto menswear, which for years has been all too consistent. An amorphous, igloo-like neoprene coat reminded one editor of last week’s Thomas Tait show, commenting, “Thomas Tait by Joe Fresh,” but in a way that seemed congratulatory of Mimran’s effort to be edgy.

Patterned pants and blazers for men were a hit, using bright colours and paisley-like prints to sell the message that Joe Fresh is in the business of menswear, too, and a striped sweater vest made us actually want to wear a sweater vest, which before last night was not an option. We loved the two-toned pleated skirt in blue and green and the use of colour blocking on the sleeves of button-up shirts for women. But not everything soared—wide-legged two-toned denim on women looked kind of flat and unflattering compared to what else was on offer, and we didn’t care for the green leather skirt, either, which we know can’t be produced to its fullest potential, since Joe Fresh aims to be accessible (that, and the lace-up front closure will not look good on anyone). Another pant miss was a white slack on a leggy male model, who swam in the wide-leg. But if Joe Fresh is in the business of making the frugal shopper want to buy $30 dresses, pants, shirts and shoes (we can’t promise everything will be $30, but it will be inexpensive), then we think it was a successful run this season—he may own a once-exclusive-to-grocery-stores brand, and to some that may seem terribly gauche, but he knows what women want (cheap), and now he’s doing it for men, too.

Anton Yelchin (Image: Sam Santos/Wireimage)

Interview magazine, Joe Fresh and Paramount Productions hosted an invite-only soiree last night at the Spoke Club rooftop, where the Joe Fresh–orange cocktails were flowing and everyone was loose, including Like Crazy cast members Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin. It was a party without George Clooney and Ryan Gosling, or other faces we’ve grown tired of this week, yet it grew larger by the second and saw Jason Reitman and Jessica Chastain pass through—even Kimberley Newport-Mimran, fresh off a plane after a Pink Tartan show at New York Fashion Week, was seen laughing with husband Joe (or Mr. Fresh to his closest friends). Newport-Mimran gave us the scoop on her menswear line Black Tartan, which will be debuting in her Yorkville store very soon. That’s an actual fact— something there aren’t many of in the typical “Toronto is so much friendlier than New York” responses that journalists usually get from interviews during TIFF. Pics of the party guests and their thoughts about Toronto after the jump.

We chatted with Jones at great length about her role as Ethel Hallow in Worst Witch, a part she played at the age of 12. She said, “Anyone who is a fan of Worst Witch is a friend of mine,” so, we have a new friend. Jones says her trip has been a bit of a whirlwind, since she’s in three films (Hysteria, Page Eight and Like Crazy) at the festival this year and is flying out soon after her last premiere, but she loved seeing the CN Tower on her way into town and admittedly wanted to jump in Lake Ontario, because she loves being in the water (we explained that it wasn’t the kind of water she might be used to swimming in). We overheard Chastain say she has a “Kirk Douglas chin,” which we think is fairly accurate (they are great chins, either way), and she’s also really into the perks of being a rising star, stressing that the free clothes are “the best part.”

Reitman declined photos because he “isn’t linked to the film,” which we think is a pretty decent gesture—he knows the spotlight isn’t always on him. Even entertainment editor for Interview magazine Lauren Tabach-Bank had good things to say about Toronto: “I’m over Sundance. The Toronto film festival is so well run, and there are cabs.” After being here for all of 72 hours, she had already seen 19 films, and all she wanted to do was smoke bummed Belmonts on the rooftop—just like everyone else.

Welcome to Hogwarts at Casa Loma. (Image: Tara Sameshima)

It may be surprising to some (no one) that Harry Potter is a big deal for small children, teens, adults and the elderly. It was quite clear to us at last night’s premiere, where we saw a lineup of caped youngsters waiting in anticipation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, the last chapter of J.K. Rowling’s famed series about a Jesus figure named Harry who sacrifices everything for the good of the witch and wizard (and everything fantasy—goblins, giants, ogres, dragons) community. Unfortunately for the ragtag group of wand-bearing wannabe wizards, a representative of the movie told us that the chances of the waiting-since-6-a.m. diehards getting access to the premiere was impossible, since even big media outlets had to be turned away.

Rumour had it (and perhaps this was the reason for many non-fans filling the seats at Scotiabank Theatre) that Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams and Colin Farrell would be in attendance, but not one graced the plush seats of Scotiabank Theatre or the rock walls of Casa Loma with their presence (the latter three of whom just happen to be among the biggest celebrities in the city). Check out which celebrities made a splash at the premiere and on the “black carpet” in a gallery after the jump.

Unfortunate rumours aside, we were pleased to see Matthew Lewis (the film’s Neville Longbottom), a beautiful Kate Beckinsale, her ex-boyfriend Michael Sheen and their daughter Lily Sheen take their seats, in a row that appeared to have chauffeured soda and popcorn. Then there were the Degrassi kids, who have become as ubiquitous as chewed gum the seats at movie theatres, although somewhat more welcome. Other faces we saw were Kimberley Newport-Mimran, with daughter Jackie Mimran, and Breakfast Television’s Jennifer Valentyne, who also brought her tykes, while Zoomer’s Suzanne Boyd and the Toronto Star’s Derick Chetty represented the fashion pack.

See the black carpet slideshow »

To give their daughter Kate as much aristocratic heft as possible (and to quiet complaints about a commoner princess), Michael and Carole Middleton recently commissioned a family crest unveiled just in time for Friday’s Royal Wedding. Apparently, you don’t need to be to be royal or even noble to earn your own coat of arms. With this in mind, we designed crests for some of our city’s most celebrated clans. Illustrations by Nick Craine

Click on to see our illustrated coat of arms for Toronto’s flossiest families »

Oh hey, I'm Joe, but you know that (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

When a runway room takes an eternity to fill up and “Bette Davis Eyes” plays over the bottle-necked masses, you know it’s a Joe Fresh show. Everyone is puzzled about how a grocery store fashion outlet receives such a huge reception, but the answer is quite simple: money. Joe Mimran will always have the best models, a runway that can’t be walked on by the public (no, not even the most notable of social butterflies) and a show that by most standards is fairly good. In fact, whether Joe’s show is necessary or not is moot, because he, like his wife Kimberley Newport-Mimran, had the flashiest guests: editor-at-large Derek Blasberg, Moda Operandi’s Frank de Jesus, designer Adrian Mainella, the New York Times’ Sandra Ballentine, Elle.com’s Sydney Wasserman, Shinan Govani, Nicholas Mellamphy, Suzanne Boyd, a bespectacled Moses Znaimer, Hermes Canada’s Jennifer Carter and Suzanne Cohon (and really, the list could be its own post). See the full gallery and notes from the runway after the jump.

See the complete fall/winter 2011 Joe Fresh runway show »

An early runway statement for Mimran was a neoprene coat in his brand’s signature orange, which appealed because it had a fun Muppet quality rarely seen on Toronto runways (some said “Miu Miu”). But we have a hard time believing there’s a market for such whimsy, especially when it comes in the form of neoprene rope belts in various kid-friendly colours (but really, how much from a Joe Fresh show is ever produced commercially). That said, jackets were impeccably crafted, and in some cases the made-from-neoprene silhouettes were passable as a wrap or car coat, which even as art was somewhat impressive.

The stars of the show were the knits—and there was a huge push of them, including short dresses in navy and forest green and hand-knit Nordic sweaters. We were surprised to see that there wasn’t a cohesive theme (last season’s Boy Scout parade was considered a big success), but this left room for the Fresh empire to explore a variety of test looks: animal prints, as seen in a panelled blouse with contrasting white sleeves; drawstring athletic shorts; FUBU-era gold-shimmer denim; shag rug miniskirts; and staples like wool slacks, cigarette pants and crew-neck sweaters. We love the glitz and glamour of a Joe Fresh show, but there still isn’t anything fabulous about adding basic white T’s to your shopping cart along with cooking sherry, Clorox and bouillon cubes.

That's right, I'm a Mimran (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

The Pink Tartan show is one of the week’s scene-iest, luring in crowds with the promise of seeing (and being seen with) Toronto notables. It often seems the clothes are an afterthought for these supporters of Canadian fashion, but who needs style when we’ve got Canadian celebrities? Last night didn’t disappoint—society mavens like Suzanne Boyd, Suzanne Cohon and The Bay bigwig Nicholas Mellamphy rubbed elbows with Shinan Govani, Adrian Mainella, Harper’s Bazaar editor at large Derek Blasberg and the New York Times’s Sandra Ballentine. See the complete collection, our review and yet another reason we saw front row (and photographer) scowls after the jump.

See Pink Tartan’s fall/winter 2011 collection »

Designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran is known for picking a theme and sticking with it (last season it was aviators). True to form, she did it again this season with a mainstream trend: military. We saw it everywhere, and we do mean everywhere, from the hats, military coats, double-breasted navy blazer, olive-green shirts and jumpsuits and knee-high boots. The fun didn’t stop there, as the boot camp trend trickled down to a full-skirted evening gown in a black, silver and gold camo print that was, as one front row seat holder noted, “1995.”

Some editors speculated that Mimran’s recent Women’s Wear Daily cover may have encouraged her to commercialize the collection, but with pieces already purchased from big brand buyers, we were hoping for some kind of show (after all, we did wait an additional hour and 20 minutes to get inside the runway room). Remember last season? There were pillars, which was something. That said, Mimran’s tireless staff created very commercial pieces that most women would want to wear, from impressively tailored jackets and shirts in fatigue green to a full tulle skirt that has “socialite princess” written all over it.

Living in the era of Internet 2.0, it seems everyone has a Twitter, WordPress, Tumblr or YouTube account where they can upload photos, and last night’s second-buzziest show (the number one spot belonging to Newport-Mimran’s husband, Joe) had the entire audience popping flashbulbs like crazy. Look for photos of our not-so-smiling faces in blog coverage this week.

Previously the Paisley Shop, 77 Yorkville is now Pink Tartan's flagship store

The place: Pink Tartan has opened its first stand-alone store in one of the city’s oldest buildings, at Yorkville and Bellair. Built in 1837, the townhouse was once home to the Village of Yorkville’s sheriff (and a jail cell), but today, with fresh flowers, sand-coloured hardwood and wallpaper that looks like grey muslin, the two-floor space is less Alcatraz and more Alsace—the boutique feels like a sunny atelier somewhere in France.

Artwork hangs in the stairwell leading up to the second floor

The stuff: Obviously, Pink Tartan’s wares line the racks, mostly from the fall-winter 2010 collection, like pleated camel miniskirts ($295), ivory sweaters adorned with strings of pearls ($295) and a coyote shrug ($595) with flecks of grey, silver, black and white. Beyond the namesake line, designer and store owner Kimberley Newport-Mimran has stuffed the shop full of covetable items, like the fur pieces from Izma, the recently launched brainchild of Izzy Camilleri and Adrian Mainella, such as a long draped coyote shawl ($3,595) and a daring espresso-hued fur dress with pockets ($2,995). We liked the short robes in touchable cotton by Skin ($249), and the peach Sinclaire cocktail dress ($395) would make a smart holiday season alternative to the Lanvin H&M clothes we’ll see on dozens of partygoers.

The shoppers: Yorkville yuppies stopping in on their way to lunch at the Holts Café, Pink Tartan devotees and, on our visit, Newport-Mimran’s fashion hubby Joe Mimran, Mr. Joe Fresh himself, who chatted with store patrons and staff.

Our favourite things: Though the clothing selection is well edited, we found ourselves drawn to the accessories. Napkins from Fog Linen ($25), in surprisingly macho prints, like herringbone and windowpane checks, are stylish replacements for paper towels; and Fog totes ($70) are a more glam alternative to that reusable Loblaws bag you’ve been carting around. For diva babies no longer satisfied with nearby Jacadi’s offerings, the baby basket by Alicia Adams ($479) comes with a cream-coloured alpaca outfit—the ideal thing to catch that other toddler’s eye.

Seventy Seven, 77 Yorkville Ave., 416-967-7700, pinktartan.com.

Is that Donna Summer we hear? (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

Kimberley Newport-Mimran took her Pink Tartan line solo last night (it is usually held in conjunction with her husband’s Joe Fresh show), injecting bold colours (tangerine, chartreuse, royal blue) not seen in recent collections. It looked like Newport-Mimran was in a Studio 54 state of mind when she put pen to sketch pad. Elements from the ’70s were everywhere: hot pink jumpsuits, oversized blazers and gorgeous wide-legged tuxedo pants in shimmery black satin. Even the shoes, teeteringly high wooden platforms, screamed Farrah Fawcett glam. Sure, the slinky one-shoulder dresses, one in a candy-striper print, were a little Halston Heritage, but the collection was strong—the designer made green booty shorts and yellow straw hats look sophisticated. If Pink Tartan’s interpretation is what it means to have the ’70s back, we say bring on the disco naps.

See the full collection in the slide show >>

The Moon section at the Yonge and Queen Bay

Sibling rivalry is alive and well with Moon, The Bay’s new collaboration with a fashionable Mimran. Not Joe Mimran, of Joe Fresh, or his wife Kimberley Newport-Mimran, of Pink Tartan; this mass-market women’s line is by Joe’s older brother Saul, president of the Mimran Group. Despite the brotherly connection, Moon didn’t debut with the same cachet that Joe Fresh has built up—at the launch party in a Liberty Village loft space on Thursday, the crowd was subdued and sparse, unlike the typical Joe Fresh show.

Moon is positioned as a Joe Fresh, Club Monaco hybrid (cheap and monochromatic), but the price point means the Mirman brothers are directly competing for budget-conscious shoppers across the country. A collection of mostly office basics won’t wow anyone with its originality or style—black and grey cardigans ($39) aren’t exactly cutting edge—but most items are well under $100.

Kimberley Newport-Mimran (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

In an interview with the Toronto Star, Pink Tartan designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran revealed that she’s opening the label’s first store. The location: why, Yorkville, of course. Specifically, the 2,500-square-foot boutique will be at 77 Yorkville Avenue, in the adorable building that once was home to the Paisley Shop. No word on when the store will open.

• First Pink Tartan store to open in historic Yorkville building [Toronto Star]

(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

The Pink Tartan show was one of the hottest tickets at fashion week. The front row was packed with Toronto’s glitterati, like Weston family scion Galen Jr. with his wife, Alexandra, Stacey McKenzie, Dan Levy, club impresario Michael King, plastic surgeon Trevor Born, Shinan Govani, CBC-ers Zaib Shaikh of Little Mosque on the Prairie and Arlene Dickinson of Dragons’ Den and, perhaps strangest of all, Toronto Maple Leaf Luke Schenn and ex-Leaf Tie Domi. The show even pulled Jeanne Beker out of the woodwork; she had recently tweeted, “Wondering why I haven’t been tweeting from LGFW? It’s Passover, and sorry, but family rules over fashion!” Every available seat was filled and aisles were packed, creating what certainly must have been a fire code violation as the models started their walk. Kimberley Newport-Mimran put out a collection of tasteful knits, aviator caps (somehow, they worked), dresses and, of course, fur (used cleverly in full and flouncy skirts), which has been seen in many of the collections this season.

See all the looks from the Pink Tartan show in our slide show >>

(Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

Toronto’s official LG Fashion Week began last night at the Allstream Centre on the CNE grounds. Despite the rain and Sunday evening start time, Suzanne Rogers, Ainsley Kerr, Jeremy Laing, Joe and Kimberley Newport-Mimran et al. showed up to see the first collection from Izma—a fur-focused line from designer Izzy Camilleri (who famously designed a fox coat for Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada) and Adrian Mainella, former host of Fashion File.

These furs aren’t the kind of pieces Cruella DeVil would covet. The pelts are from the North American Fur Association, a group that uses the furs of non-endangered species acquired from licensed trappers, who use a quota system to assist with wildlife control. The runway looks presented every imaginable use of fur—messenger bags, capes, shawls, skirts, sweaters, and a sheer dress with fur floret details. We were struck by the lightness of the material as it billowed with the models’ strides down the catwalk.

See the full collection in the slide show below >>