Toronto Fashion Week is ostensibly about the clothes, but at least half the fun is seeing socialites and celebs air-kissing and yoo-hooing in between shows. While loitering at the tents this year, we ran into Toronto’s newest and most high-profile Raptor, a couple of big-name actors and the man who cried—repeatedly—during his nationally televised quest for love. Below, a slideshow of the people deemed too beautiful or important for anything but the front row.
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Slideshow: ogling the VIPs in the front row at Toronto Fashion Week
Toronto Fashion Week: our 12 favourite looks from the fall 2013 collections
Over the course of Toronto Fashion Week (plus two days of pre-Fashion Week presentations from The Shows), Toronto’s runway watchers took in hundreds of designs from emerging young expats like Tanya Taylor and Steven Tai and mega-brands like Joe Fresh and Mackage. We sifted through the multitude of garments and chose our favourites—12 looks that are memorable, wearable and beautiful.
Street Style Trend Report: manipulated florals at Toronto Fashion Week
Cheery florals return in some form every spring, and judging from the runway fans at Toronto Fashion Week, this season’s incarnation is all about blown-up, smudged or otherwise distorted prints that border on the abstract. Holt Renfrew’s Moira Wright maximized the rich tones of her structured tunic with red lips and shoes, while fashion fashion blogger Lolitta Dandoy opted for black-and-white blooms (proving it’s possible to pull off two trends at once). Meanwhile, marketer Jenny Jovanovic’s coat is a great example of the “flamo” (that’s floral + camo) trend. Below, more garden-inspired prints from the tents.
Runway Trend Report: moto jackets at Toronto Fashion Week
The moto jacket has been a staple for decades, partly because of its appealing toughness, and partly because it goes with absolutely everything. The proof: designers at Toronto Fashion Week paired the jackets with everything from minidresses (Chloé Comme Parris) and pencil skirts (Tanya Taylor) to silk tunics (Jeremy Laing) and thick sweaters (Line Knitwear) on the fall 2013 runways. Our favourite riffs include a boiled wool-and-leather version by outerwear specialists Mackage (far right), and Taylor’s pink metallic raffia jacket (second from right). Several of Rudsak’s gold leather jackets were also stand-outs (second from left), though it’s Joe Fresh’s white studded version (far left) that we’re expecting to see most frequently on the streets come fall.
(Images: Joe Fresh and Tanya Taylor, Jenna Marie Wakani; Rudsak and Mackage, George Pimentel)
Toronto Fashion Week: Sunny Fong presents animal appliqués and Nordic minimalism for Vawk fall 2013
Toronto Fashion Week runs from March 18-22, in a large—and stylishly appointed—tent at David Pecaut Square. We’re posting full galleries from the buzziest runways. Here’s what trendsetters will be wearing in fall 2013.
DESIGNER
Vawk by Sunny Fong
IN A SENTENCE
Fong is a Project Runway Canada alum known for his feminine silhouettes; Vawk is his luxury ready-to-wear label.
THE SCENE
Rumour has it the clothes only arrived a half-hour before the 8 p.m. presentation, but nothing seemed amiss during the show—it even started on time. Fong also scored arguably the biggest name at the Toronto Fashion Week tents, Canadian actress Elisha Cuthbert (who wore one of his gowns to the People’s Choice Awards last year). The Happy Endings star tweeted a pic of her red ensemble and appeared to have a great time, laughing with friends and pointing at desirable items on the runway.
Street Style: outrageous outfits and classic looks at Toronto Fashion Week
Many of the best-dressed runway fans at Toronto Fashion Week took big risks, whether that meant wearing a provacative graphic, playing with gender expectations, combining prints or piling on a huge white fur coat. However, there was also an equally stylish contingent who instead aimed for understated cool, trusting in a few small details—a set of rings, an ornate collar, a perfect fit—to keep the look from being boring. Both strategies require a discerning eye and a lot of nerve. Check out our favourite looks from the fall 2013 edition of Toronto Fashion Week below.
Street Style Trend Report: bright pink and red at Toronto Fashion Week
At Holt Renfrew’s Toronto Fashion Week kick-off bash on Monday night, we figured the abundance of bright pink outfits was a nod to the host’s signature hue (the magenta lighting also lent the entire party a rosy glow). But as the week wore on, we spotted many more women in cheerful red or pretty pink—or both, in the cases of PR gal Gail McInnes and handbag designer Ela Kowalewska. Apparently, Valentine’s Day lives on—heck, the scalloping on Ainsley Kerr’s sweet red lace dress even reminded us of making valentines in school. See more pink and red looks from Toronto Fashion Week below.
Toronto Fashion Week: socialites and Parisian cool at Joe Fresh fall 2013
Toronto Fashion Week runs from March 18-22, in a large—and stylishly appointed—tent at David Pecaut Square. We’re posting full galleries from the buzziest runways. Here’s what trendsetters will be wearing in fall 2013.
DESIGNER
Joe Fresh by Joe Mimran
IN A SENTENCE
Mimran’s Loblaw-owned mass market label is exceedingly popular with most Canadians (and a good number of Americans), and his semi-annual runway show has become one of Fashion Week’s biggest parties.
THE SCENE
As the Pink Tartan show proved earlier this week, the society set comes out in droves for everything Mimran. We spotted Suzanne Cohon with CFL commissioner husband Mark, Dragon’s Den star Arlene Dickinson, Galen Weston, David Nugent flying solo (his wife Catherine had to cancel last minute), Bruce C. Bailey, CBC News’s Amanda Lang, Big Brother Canada host Arissa Cox and of course, Joe’s loving wife Kim (who jumped to give a rousing standing ovation.) Afterwards, the party decamped to nearby Storys where even models from the show had a tough time getting in (they eventually did) and Bailey cut a rug. Even Mr. Fresh himself made an appearance.
Street Style Trend Report: extra-long coats at Toronto Fashion Week
The weather during Toronto Fashion Week is never warm—it falls in late October and mid-March, after all—but this latest edition has been more blustery and snowy than most. Rather than battle the weather, some clever scenesters hit the shows and after-parties in sweeping coats that looked as chic as they did cozy. We overhead attendees admiring The Globe and Mail’s Tiyana Grulovic in a navy and black houndstooth coat at The Shows, while hairdresser Tony Pham wore a firetruck red topper to Holt Renfrew’s opening night bash. And at the tents at David Pecault Square, floor-length outwear with fur detailing was de rigueur. Below, more dramatic coats from the week’s fashion events.
Runway Trend Report: geometric prints at Toronto Fashion Week
On the runway at Toronto Fashion Week (Images: Jenna Marie Wakani)
Plaid and animal prints might have dominated the fall 2013 runways in New York, Milan and Paris, but so far, Toronto Fashion Week has resembled a geometry class. Jean-Pierre Braganza’s circles and triangles (far left) looked like the result of a long afternoon with a compass and ruler, while the presentations from Comrags (second left) and Pink Tartan (far right) both relied heavily on hexagon prints. Meanwhile, a top by Jeremy Laing (second from right) had us looking up the definition of a rhombus. The looks range from neo-goth to ’60s retro, but they all have one thing in common: no loud colours, which would likely take this bold look a little far.
Toronto Fashion Week: an ode to ‘90s grunge at Chloé Comme Parris fall 2013
Toronto Fashion Week runs from March 18-22, in a large—and stylishly appointed—tent at David Pecaut Square. We’re posting full galleries from the buzziest runways. Here’s what trendsetters will be wearing in fall 2013.
DESIGNER
Chloé Comme Parris, by sisters Chloé and Parris Gordon
IN A SENTENCE
After going rogue with their show last season, the Toronto-based sister duo brought their artsy, downtown aesthetic back to the tents at Toronto Fashion Week.
THE SCENE
The show had a decidedly rock-and-roll vibe right down to the amps placed on the runway, which one poor guest stumbled on on the way out. We spotted shop owner Jaclyn Genovese and jewellery designer Jaime Sin in the crowd, as well as Fashion Week fixtures Jeanne Beker and Robin Kay (who snuck into her seat after several models had already walked the catwalk). The show likely won the award for best swag of the week—front row guests were all greeted with Kobo e-readers on their seats.
Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan shows retro luxury and fake blond hair for fall 2013
Toronto Fashion Week runs from March 18-22 in a large—and stylishly appointed—tent at David Pecaut Square. We’re posting full galleries from the buzziest runways. Here’s what trendsetters will be wearing in fall 2013.
DESIGNER
Pink Tartan by Kimberley Newport-Mimran
IN A SENTENCE
Every season, Newport-Mimran rethinks classics shapes to create her sophisticated separates, and every season, her show is one of Toronto Fashion Week’s hottest tickets.
THE SCENE
Newport-Mimran always draws a lot of high-profile guests (her husband Joe Mimran’s Joe Fresh presentation tomorrow will almost certainly pull just as many boldface names). Last night, we spotted Tie Domi with his daughter (who, though young, is already a fashion show veteran), Luminato’s Jorn Weisbrodt, PR gals/socialites Suzanne Cohon and Amy Burstyn-Fritz, and Zoomer editor Suzanne Boyd, who dressed for the weather in an enormous parka (though she still teetered in sky-high heels).
Street Style Trend Report: big, bold necklaces at Toronto Fashion Week
The editors, bloggers and hangers-on attending the pre-Toronto Fashion Week runway shows at the Andrew Richards Design loft last week all seem to have internalized a lesson that’s as well known to red-carpet regulars and Flavor Flav as it was to the Tudor kings: a big necklace can really make an outfit pop. Rac Boutique co-owner Faith Orfus sported a lethal-looking silver plate from her store, while fashion scenester Lydia Chan wore a profusion of pop-art flowers by Marni for H&M around her neck. Most of the women wearing look-at-me necklaces went neutral with the rest of their outfit (we loved Orfus’s light denim bell-bottoms and structured white tank), but we give PR maven Gail McInnes props for going all-out in a fur coat and leopard blouse. Below, more neckwear from The Shows.
Street Style Trend Report: black and white at Toronto Fashion Week
What’s black and white and printed all over? A good chunk of the outfits at the pre-Toronto Fashion Week event The Shows. The runway watchers at the Andrew Richards design building offered a master class in wearing one the year’s biggest trends. Holt Renfrew’s Julie D’Uva paired her geometric print pants with a solid blouse and accessories, while her colleague Blaire Borins mixed a windowpane check with wide horizontal stripes. Meanwhile, eLuxe’s Susie Sheffman epitomized casual cool with her floral sweatshirt, boyfriend jeans and ladylike pumps. Below, more inspiration for fashion-lovers wanting to cut colour from their wardrobes.
Toronto Fashion Week: Steven Tai uses silicone, magnets and alien spaceships in his fall 2013 collection
Each season, The Shows invite a handful of high-profile Canadian designers (many of whom now show in New York, London and Paris) to preview their collections in the days leading to Toronto Fashion Week. We’re posting full galleries from the buzziest runways. Here’s what trendsetters will be wearing in fall 2013.
DESIGNER
Steven Tai
IN A SENTENCE
The cerebral Vancouver designer decamped for London a few years ago and has already racked up a long list of achievements: a degree from the prestigious Central Saint Martens school, internships at Viktor and Rolf and Stella McCartney, and the inaugural Chloé design prize—plus 15,000 euros and Yohji Yamamoto’s approval—at the Hyères Festival last year.
THE SCENE
Though an event for fellow London designer Roksanda Ilincic was happening at the same time across town at The Bay, the show space at Andrew Richard Designs still had its share of fashion scenesters, including fashion curator Rui Amaral, eLuxe’s Susie Sheffman and stylists Corey Ng and Dwayne Kennedy. After the presentation, Tai brought out a few looks from his award-winning spring/summer 2013 collection and laughingly conceded he found inspiration in book-binding techniques “because I’m a big geek.”
