Sunny Fong’s Vawk collection opens fashion week at the AGO

Sunny Fong’s Vawk collection opens fashion week at the AGO

A silk Polynesian gown from Sunny Fong's Tattoo Hibiscus collection (Photo by Jenna Marie Wakani)

A smattering of the city’s socialites, fashion editors and Project Runway contestants (is it just us, or has the PR crew taken over fashion week?) filed into the AGO yesterday afternoon for Sunny Fong’s Vawk show.

Titled Tattoo Hibiscus, the collection is Fong’s first post–reality TV offering and one of the most anticipated of fashion week. That’s because his PR collection last season was a standout against more experienced professionals, and the country’s fashion community has been eagerly awaiting his next move.

Though this was a small presentation of just 12 looks, the Walker Court setting was hardly humble. “Gorgeous AGO setting for the Vawk show,” tweeted Flare editor-in-chief Lisa Tant. “Wish all of fashion week was here. Bright, slick, impressive.” We were less impressed with the clothes.

Fong has cited the 1930s flick Mutiny on the Bounty as an inspiration, and you could see the collection moving, as the film does, from the ship to Tahiti. The show started with lovely pieces—dress pants, jackets and vests—in cream silk cotton along with a taupe leather skirt and trench. Once the designer moved away from separates, his precision wavered. Some of the pieces with cut-out “tattoo” detailing were ill fitting, and the strange McDonald’s palette of mustard gold and ketchup red on the Polynesian gowns is more appropriate for fall. But Fong fans will find a lot to like here, and we’re sure the buzz will continue to next season.

See photos of the collection below, and visit Fashion to view a video of the event. Toronto Life’s profile of Sunny Fong from earlier this year is here.