2 Comments March 23, 2009 at 9:00 pm

news

Fashion Week Fall 2009 Collections: Day 5 Judgement Day

Of LG Fashion Week, the last day is already a distant memory; not, however, so distant that we can get out of writing about it. But, come on. You can tell us. You’re as tired of the faintly judgemental daily recaps as we are of writing them. And you know what’s more fun than being judgey? Actually judging. So here we are: Torontoist’s First and Last Annual LGFW Awards. The best, the—no, that’s lame. Air kisses and misses? Something like. Read on, we implore you.

For Most Improved Designer, you had to stay til the end. Lucian Matis (Project Runway runner-up) was the week’s showstopper, presenting a fall collection that actually looked like fall: enchanted forest colours, shadowy satins and florals, separates that looked tailored instead of just…ruffled. And even if you wouldn’t wear a stitch of it, you had to appreciate the styling, from the arresting jewellery (Dandi Maestre creations so organic, so bonelike and stark, they looked excavated) to the, yes, real elk antlers. Cohesive, creative, sobered up, and still romantic. Spring 2009’s “hooker bride” finale? Forgiven.
Party Trouper of the Week is a rhinestone tiara belonging to one blonde, and one blonde only: April Wozny, publicist to Fritz Helder and the Phantoms and rarely seen apart from the band. On Thursday afternoon, when we were desperate for a disco nap, Wozny waltzed past in an LBD and bare legs. (At least someone‘s putting all those free Schick razors to good use.) Twirling ’round, she told us of the night’s plans: “Just two more shows, then dinner, then Spoke Club for the Ruffian thing, then I think Women x Women and the Fashion Week anniversary party? Oh and then we’re going to Michael King’s party.” Yes. “Just.” All in a night’s work. And lest you risk libel in guessing the source of her seemingly indefatigability, we assure you it’s natural. Party on, girl.

Sadly, the week’s Worst Attendance award goes to all the slacker journos who skipped on the Ryerson School of Fashion alumni showcase. First of its kind, the presentation included a half-dozen star grads (“I think they just played favourites?” offered menswear designer Sara Duke when asked how they were chosen) with their fourth-year collections. Almost all revealed promise, from Dayna Phillips’ coy Edwardiana to Heidi Ackerman’s cozy, London-cool knits, but there’s one name to watch: Kat Marks. Or should we say, Marks-iela? Watch BlogTO’s runway video, which kicks off with the designer’s inflated shoulderpads and moulded torso-corsets, and you’ll get the pun. (Or not, and you’ll complain in the comments section.)

Free Walking Lessons are awarded to the personality-free, largely underage, and way too white (anemia aside) models who gracelessly stumble down our runways. Your whole job consists of one. Foot. After. Another. Make it work. Besides, we’ve seen the boxes of heels backstage; they’re from Canadian chain stores, not Christian Louboutin’s atelier. If every eighth-grade graduate in Oakville can walk in her Town Shoes, so can you.
While we’ll admit to delight at seeing how good Coco Rocha looks as a redhead, sitting front-row-centre with Brian Bailey at the otherwise hush-hush Project Runway Canada show, there was an even better “celebrity” sighting. Starriest attendee? No, not Rick “The Temp” Campanelli, but his adorable wee son. Lapseated next to us on the last day of shows, baby boy cooed (honestly!) that he “loves everything” at Carlie Wong. Our heart melted six degrees. Celsius.
The week’s Most Twitter-worthy News (besides Twitter itself, we suppose) was the announcement of an FDCC-sponsored fund for one aspiring Canadian designer (or design team) every year. Word has it the judging panel will include “established” designers, journalists, and maybe even buyers. When we know more, we’ll write more; for now, we’ll reserve cynicism and just say finally.

All photos by Pete Lytwyniuk/Studiolit.

Comments

Social Media