FASHION Magazine

Last night, a bunch of queens took to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts for Operanation, the Canadian Opera Company’s annual gala fundraiser—over 1,000 drag queens, society queens and karaoke queens to be exact, who embraced the event’s “Queen of the Night” theme in leather, lace and all things moody/sexy/cool. (Yours truly took […]

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See all the photos from the Opera Atelier Versailles Gala »

In a city that’s packed with artistic endeavours, it can be hard to stand out and get noticed. But based on the fashionable crowd that gathered for last week’s Opera Atelier Versailles Gala, the independent opera and ballet company has made quite an impression on Toronto’s arts community. Jeanne Beker played emcee for the evening and—after impressively prancing across the stage in sky-high heels—reminded guests to “bid fiercely!” on both the silent and live auctions that happened throughout the night.

After all, the fundraising gala’s main objective was to support Opera Atelier’s international touring, which includes a very prestigious performance in 2014 at the Palace of Versailles. As in, at the opera theatre that was built to celebrate the wedding of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette—no big deal. The company’s founding co-artistic directors, Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, took to the stage throughout the night, both to introduce performances from the school’s students as well as performing with them. Impressive costumery was a big part of the gala—as Opera Atelier’s mandate is to perform rare operas from the Baroque era, authentic attire is a must. Costumes from past productions with gold brocade, intricate embroidery and elaborate hoop skirts were all on display throughout the Ritz-Carlton ballroom.

See the full gallery of Operanation party pictures »

Last Thursday opera lovers, patrons of the arts and faces who frequent Toronto’s party circuit came together to support the Canadian Opera Company for Operanation 9: Sweet Revenge. Attendees reflected the event’s theme of high-brow-opera-meets-pop-culture-concert well: Women in floor-length evening gowns navigated the many staircases of the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts with ease—proving there’s no architectural challenge a mermaid dress can’t master—while others used the Centre’s sprawling steps as seating throughout the night.

Actress Gabrille Miller looked stunning in a peplum’d dress from Lucian Matis Fall 2012 while Nelly Furtado had two costume changes throughout the night, starting with a gown by Denis Gagnon and later switching into a Holy Tee dress. On the third floor a group of Argo players attracted many eligible ladies—perhaps the popularity of The Bachelor Canada has given the CFL a new social standing?