Day Three: Burning the midnight oil

FASHION arrived at the tents ready for a full (read: long) evening of spring shows. We arrive at our seats just as the lights dim and take our place in the front row beside The Toronto Star stylist (and FASHION’s fab friend) Derick Chetty.

Damzels in this Dress (left)

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After the botched beginning due to some minor tech problems, the show blasted off with AC/DC’s song “Back in black.” Models were sent down the runway rocking a sexy contrast of pretty ‘n’ punk. Think: retro halter dresses paired with black fishnets, spray paint cans and chainsaws. FASHION loved the electric pink and red lip lacquer–the perfect mix of high gloss and high watt–and we immediately planned our next trip to the M.A.C makeup counter. Best in show: the white asymmetrical dress with the skinny black belt. But the black cabbage rose print dress came in a close sexy second.

Jayn Simpson

FASHION feasted on delicious petit fours served up on silver trays while we waited for the show to begin. Simpson’s spring collection was very garden party-pretty with lots of ladylike linen skirt suits, crisp pant suits in a serene palette of sand and white. FASHION oohed and aahed over the delightful chapeaux, which seemed to transform the collection from nice to need-it-now. Perhaps, hats will become FASHION’s accessory addiction du jour.

Franke

FASHION flew over to the Spoke Club to take a look at Kendra Francis’s latest collection for her line Franke. As one of Project Runway’s designer divas, Francis’s fans included some other famous faces from the TV show, including Evan Biddell and Carlie Wong. While FASHION had seen the metallic swimwear before, we really liked the yellow halter dress as it had everything we look for in a cute frock: a bright cheery colour and a swingy skirt.

Back at the tents, FASHION grabbed a little nibble in the media lounge (fruit, cheese and crackers…but we keep overhearing the infamous question, “Where is the chocolate?”) Then we head back to our seats (beside FASHION’s darling ami Adrian Mainella) for the next runway round.

Andy The-Anh

One word can sum up this Montreal designer’s collection: dramarama. Lots of floor-sweeping gowns and plenty of pretty details like sexy ruffles and jewel-encrusted sleeves. FASHION loved the high-waisted pencil skirt–even if we don’t have the gamine gams to wear it. The beauty message was soft and romantic: loose, cascading curls and white fluttery lashes–very Tilda Swinton-inspired from the film The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and FASHION was unexpectedly digging it.

David Dixon

Inspired by Newport Rhode Island and the glistening landscape of the water peppered with stark white sailboats, Dixon set sail with his collection to show the juxtaposition of the modern with the classic. Lots of laser cut cotton pieces, linen shirts and organza dresses with laminated foil cotton graced the models on the runway. Best detail: wide organic-looking belts that emphasized the waistline. FASHION thought the pretty pieces were both current yet had a timeless appeal. We left the show ready to book our next seaside town jaunt, now that we have the ideal pieces to pack.

Greta Constantine

Just after 11 p.m., FASHION pulled up to Circa (the hottest new club in the T dot) for the final show of the evening and sipped a well-deserved vodka soda with Greg Wencel, our gorge go-to guy for hair and makeup. The designers for Greta Constantine never disappoint, and their spring collection certainly held its own. Inspired by women they consider a perfect 10 (Paltrow, Thatcher, Wintour, Jolie, etc…), the line included effortless goddess gowns and, for the first time, accessories. Designer Tara Levin of Leviticus jewellery did one-of-a-kind pieces for them this season, and FASHION is eager to get our manicured paws on them immediately. Fave frock of the night goes to the final look in the show. It was everything that truly defines great fashion: floor-length, fabulous, and fierce details, like the studded neckline. Clearly, the Greta gang saved the best for last. Note: FASHION’s camera battery bid adieu right before the show started and, alas, we don’t have any pretty pics for you (sniff, sniff). Go to www.gretaconstantine.com to see their spring collection coming soon.

View a slideshow of Spring 2008 looks from Damzels in this Dress, Jayn Simpson, Andy The-Anh and David Dixon!

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