FASHION Magazine

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When it comes to fashion, I have two minds. I oscillate between editor mode (carefully scrutinizing trends, fabrics, cuts, and colour) and shopping autopilot (dreaming up outfits, making must-have lists, and slowly building my dream closet). Last night’s Joe Fresh show threw me for a loop. While I was technically there for work, I couldn’t pry myself away from my material side. Not only did the presentation of the show blow me away—Joe flew in the who’s who of Canadian models as well as used some of the beauties who’ve been in town for the week including Alana Zimmer, Kate King, Heather Marks, Herieth Paul, Kristin Owen, Liisa Winkler, Tara Gill, Yasmin Warsame, Kori Richardson, and Amanda Laine—but the clothes have never looked so… expensive (a coup for a mass-retail brand). Perfectly fitting tight jersey tees, pointed loafer pumps, and a printed ankle pant all got the green light in my mental notes. The clever combination of clean ‘60s minimalism (the show opened with a Mondrian-esque shift dress) with sportwear-detailed separates (neoprene, parachute fabrics, and drawstring details were everywhere) ensured the show didn’t feel one-noted. While they certainly won’t alienate their core grocery-store customer, Joe certainly upped the ante for the fashion followers who will be anxiously awaiting the runway styles come spring.

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I shouldn’t pick favourites, but I’ll do it anyways. Maybe it’s because we share a fondness for all things Victorian, or maybe it’s just because the clothes were that good, but halfway through LG Fashion Week, I was already utterly spellbound by Chloé Comme Parris Spring 2012. After a similarly stellar LG debut last season, sister duo of Chloé and Parris Gordon took us back to the late 1800s, minus the wasp waists and lack of gender equality. “We were really looking at raised necklines and detailing and interesting ways of cinching in a waist or pleating and draping, but looking at how to reduce these silhouettes that can’t really be worn today because they are so voluminous and so ornate,” said sister Chloé when we visited the studio last week. The sisters’ look at the era was apparent, from delicate woven lace-like trousers and jumpers, to the William Morris-like print appearing on several dresses (the finale dress was a dead ringer for a neo-sack dress à la Pre-Raphaelite muse Jane Morris). Updated with interesting cropping (a jean jacket cut just below the collar comes to mind), sexy slits, and cross-body pearl necklaces, it’s without any sort of hometown inhibition that I can honestly say—if there was such a thing as a thousand star rating, this collection would have it. In my books, at least.

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DIY: We teach you how to tie a turban, Jay Manuel style »

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Joeffer Caoc showed us how to stay glam on and off the court in his Spring 2012 collection. Despite the early afternoon start time, the fashion week veteran drew in high profile attendees including Jeanne Beker and our very own Bernadette Morra. Models marched down the runway like they were about to play a championship game—a champion in a much more chic uniform. Sportif looks included loose tanks and shorts with flashes of fuchsia, orange, and blue layered under breezy jackets and tunics, singlet-inspired column dresses, and gold lamé harem pants covered in black mesh. Aside from the occasional colour-blocked tote on the models’ arms, Caoc held back on accessories. (Who wants to lose an earring during a game?) Next time Caoc is hosting a game of pickup basketball, we hope we make the cut.

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Michi, the sporty brainchild of Toronto-based Michelle Watson could easily be described as the workout wardrobe of Lululemon’s risqué and fashion-forward sister. Watson stayed consistent, showing more feminine workout gear for Spring 2012 with an over-the-top show. Models strutted (actually) and flirted with show-goers while showing off a collection of sports bras with multiple straps and pops of purple, mustard, and magenta and matching shorts with slashes of mesh on the legs and peek-a-boo cutouts on the back. Accessorized with leather armbands, sky-high booties, and sass—including one model tossing her wig to reveal a bleached-blonde, closely-shaven head—at times we felt like we were watching a Pussycat Dolls rehearsal rather than a fashion show.

Tune in at 9 p.m. EST to watch the Joe Fresh Spring 2012 collections LIVE from David Pecaut Square in Toronto!

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One trend we can’t wait ‘til spring to try is turbans. A handful of different styles were wrapped around models’ heads at last night’s Attitude Jay Manuel show. It’s definitely a playful, beachy look, but with the right scarf (think: warm autumn shades) turbans totally work for the last, crisp days of fall. Here’s how to tie it up:

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Also:
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By Leah Semple

Take a digital backdrop streaming scenes of waves and sand, add swag bags with beach towels, parade out the scantily-clad bods, and you’ve got Tosca Delfino‘s Spring 2012 lesson in island chic. Basic bathers everywhere were put to swimsuit shame with models walking down the runway in accessorized bikini combos and high cut one-piece suits. Bracelets, belts, and woven hats accompanied sheer gauzy cover-ups, transforming the notion of swimwear into a complete head-to-toe look. Printed whales on navy bottoms, elephants on a faded yellow top, and—in the name of CanadaCool—a one-piece adorned with a print of the Toronto cityscape. (Where’s Drake when you need him…)

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Laura Siegel’s barefooted models looked as if they belonged very far away from October in Toronto yesterday—a Mediterranean beach was certainly more their speed. But in ultra-drapey, soft-hued pieces with a worn-in, slightly deconstructed touch, they looked more shipwrecked than beach vacationing. I was thrilled to see a return of Siegel’s coveted knitwear—lighter than last spring’s collection, considering the season, but perfectly executed with a casual, purposefully undone look. Printed, full length body suits and separates walked down the runway, and were followed by gauze-like wide-leg pants and whisper-thin maxi skirts, fringed arm and leg bands, and athletic-inspired shoulder-less henleys—each outfit had in common a ubiquitous white scarf-like headband tied around each head. Lord of the Flies at its best, and with easy warm-weather wearability, a step in the right direction for this LG Fashion Week newbie.

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DIY: We teach you how to tie a turban, Jay Manuel style »
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The intense dry-ice spectacle at last night’s Attitude Jay Manuel show may have blurred the sight of some, case in point, the gorgeous Yasmin Warsame’s disoriented runway tumble, but Jay Manuel’s vision for his collection is crystal clear. For spring, it’s all about jet-setting ‘70s style. After a 30-minute delay, the antsy crowd settled their sights on the Missoni-inspired runway, to a parade of slick jersey jumpsuits, off-the-shoulder open knits, breezy cotton tunics and brightly coloured Palm Springs prints. On my personal can’t-live-without list is the chic two-tone denim trench. A shout-out must be given to our go-to guy, George Antonopoulos, for an amazing job styling—the headscarves, raffia fedoras, and oversized sunnies secured a care-free cool factor and added the perfect finishing touch.

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If there’s one main takeaway message from fashion week, it’s that we must recognize, foster, and promote our home-grown talent so that it can grow both here and abroad. With this in mind, the inaugural Mercedes-Benz Start Up competition was held last night, and up for grabs was a year of mentorship from industry leaders (including us at FASHION!) to kick-start a fledgling collection. After a rigorous selection process (preliminary competitions, meetings, tense deliberations) the short list was whittled down to Cassie Dee, Martin Lim, Travis Taddeo, Triarchy, and UNTTLD, and united in Toronto for a runway showdown. Short video montages introduced each designer, their vision, and their inspiration for the coming season. We saw a dark, leather-laced collection (UNTTLD), a western-inspired line (Cassie Dee), a denim parade (Triarchy), some disheveled streetwear (Travis Taddeo), and bright billowy silks (Martin Lim). After a brief designer bow, a surprisingly flustered Jessica Stam took to the podium to announce the winner. Drumroll please… Husband and wife team Pao Lim and Danielle Martin of Martin Lim! Now comes the real hard work—keeping our promises and making sure they get the attention they deserve! Stay tuned for the duo’s wears in an upcoming issue of FASHION.