FASHION Magazine

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Caroline Néron’s Spring 2012 presentation was the kind of runway show that I probably fantasized about as a child in the ‘90s, but haven’t expected to see since. There was a live singer, a live drum beat, a wind machine, and a story of slinking goddesses falling to earth. (What?!)

We’re making self-spotting a little more difficult today, by focusing mostly on some fabulously put-together midsections (the bag, the coat, the works, from the shoulders down that is…) Spot anything familiar?

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Paying homage to her French roots, Montreal’s Marie St Pierre transformed the studio at LG Fashion Week into a tea party of French delights, complete with macarons and tunes from Paul Martin and Serge Gainsbourg to show her Spring 2012 collection. The installation layout had a podium in lieu of a runway and models stood statuesque, sharing a podium with six mannequins. St Pierre’s collection of mostly dresses was relaxed but refined, with long hemlines and exaggerated folds of sheer jersey. Leather rope hung from collars and hemlines, giving sheer black dresses a cool-girl edge. Since black and white took reign in many of the looks, our eyes popped when a red trapeze dress and emerald draped frock were thrown into the mix. We’re sure St Pierre’s easy, elegant dresses (minus the gold bathing caps the models were wearing) are guaranteed to show up on ladies at many a fete this spring.

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By Jessica Borchiver

Let’s forget about brights, colours, and patterns for a moment—it’s not on Sid Neigum’s spring agenda. Just like his LG debut for Fall 2011, the Edmonton-born and New York–based designer stuck to his strengths on Wednesday, making yet another strong statement collection with black pieces (a select few with a hint of dark teal polka dots and burnt orange), as well as exaggerated black felt eyebrows and overstated chunky—yet barely walkable—opened toed heels.

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The beauty at Pink Tartan was certainly ‘60s and sultry—we’re talking double-lined eyes, thick eyebrows, and “lots and lots and lots and lots” of mascara. Is it hard to guess that the inspiration was Brigitte Bardot? Eddie Malter, official makeup artist of L’Oreal Paris, applied La Couleur Infallible eye shadow in “Flashback Silver” inside the crease of the eye and then used a brush to smudge the shimmery shade down. Lineur Intense eyeliner was applied thick, and almost straight across on both the eyelid and under the eye, creating the perfect winged look.

The last stop in our studio invasion series was to the East side studio/apartment belonging to Vawk‘s Sunny Fong. While bright light shone in through the wall-to-wall windows, the team was busy at work on the Spring show. Set to be shown at 9:30 p.m. tonight, Fong hinted that the collection is inspired by everything from architecture, to moths, to grasshoppers!

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Natural, natural, natural—the word kept buzzing around backstage before last night’s Joe Fresh show. For hair, this meant sporty side-parted ponytails with barely any product or tools used. “If you were to do this at home, just a fresh blow dry,” said L’Oreal Paris official hair artist and colourist Eric Del Monaco. However, on the runway natural always becomes slightly enhanced—in this case with many mists of Elnett hairspray. (We swear one ponytail took on an entire can…)

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I am a fan of Label: the clothes are stylish, wearable, and made in Toronto, which is a major bonus. In terms of runway shows though, the collection doesn’t quite stand out—it merely affirms to the many stylish onlookers that these are the trends they should be wearing.

Paired with some lacklustre bangles and Dov Charney–esque glasses were a few richly-hued patterns, shoulderless dresses, an asymmetric shirt hem, and maxi skirts. There were, however, some pieces that stood out: a white, short-sleeved tent-cut button down shirt and the tux tail–like details on the back of a patterned dress had great visual interest. Each look that walked down the runway was cute and commercial, but shouldn’t we expect more from our LG shows?

Word: Trantastic

Meaning: A word to describe someone (of either gender, but usually boyz) who looks tranny-ish, and also fantastic. But you could have deduced that.

Usage: “Did you love that Sid Neigum show? I thought it was trantastic.”

Despite yesterday’s neverending downpour, some of the city’s finest dressers were out in full waterproof force outside the tents. Clear umbrellas, bright purses, and studded bracelets were the accessories of choice… check it out for yourself!

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Kim Newport-Mimran described her spring collection as modern ’60s sportswear, citing her own cropped bob as proof of her current mindset, and a photo of buzzy model-of-the-week Andrej Pejic with a flower in his mouth looking “very modern Bardot” as an early inspiration. Styling help came from New Yorker and former Marie Claire fashion director Lucy Sykes (Plum’s twin).

After a darker, camo-laden detour last season, the brand is back on preppy, work-wearable ground: fitted, drop-waist dresses in white and blue Prada-like stripes are made in “power stretch, a knit that works like a woven and holds everything in”; red and blue cigarette pants in a sheeny silk-wool are sleek but fun. A few very short, flippy skirts and mini ’60s shifts skew younger—or braver—than usual. And though she may have taken a stumble in her Celine two-tone heels when she came out for her bow with Pejic, Newport-Mimran should be on solid selling ground this season.