The A-list of both the art and fashion worlds get smoochy as the Group of Seven fundraiser at the McMichael gallery is announced for June 16. Stars like Thien Le, Dixon, Matis and Comrags are among the seven designers kicking off the Art Exposed fashion exhibit, as the McMichael continues to be steered to all things hip and fabulous by chief curator Katerina Atanassova.

Photo by Steve Alkok

Photo by Steve Alkok

The glass walls of the studio are appreciated by passersby who gawk at the nearly naked models parading in sprayed on denim at the Triarchy show.  Rudsak dresses Venus in furs with buttersoft leather smothered in ultra luxe fox and sheared beaver bondage mittens. It’s standing (but not breathing) room only in the studio for Ezra Constantine. This is what Blackwater mercenaries (I mean security) would wear if they had a little style – intensely masculine, but styled with bobblebulk knits and a dash of washed sequins. The tailoring is so sharp in this show, it could put an eye out.

Photo by Steve Alkok

After begging for scraps from the closed Manchu Wok, (the only food in sight), I crawl through the crowds waiting for the Pink Tartan show. I’m convinced that negotiating a PT event is part of British special forces training, but I arrive alive. The audience is drenched in the fuschia and cobalt of the PT fall 2012 collection, and we’re treated to flirty houndstooth and hunter ruby red set off with slick and sexy black patent leather and brushed Mongolian lamb.

Photo by Steve Alkok

Photo by Steve Alkok

David Dixon’s superior vision begins with clips from Hitchcock’s horror The Birds.   Grace Kelly is avenged with dagger pheasant brooches and rings grounded with sliced geodes. Black lace slips onto viridian green and cloud white, and sequined blues and greens shimmer like a gilded phoenix.   Extravagant elegance at it’s best and the perfect close to a great day at Camp Fashion!

On the second day of fashion week, the crowds are buzzing about the gorgeous weather and Lucien Matis’ couture collection at the Royal York. The Arab Spring has swept its way into the fashion world, democratizing access to great designers as geniuses like Matis go from couture to pret-a-porter over night. Ready to wear shifts are drenched in inky ocelot and green feathered Quetzal patterns, and the famous Matis ribbon dress is revisioned in a prismatic print. His crocodile Kelly bag gets a biker twist with foot long leather fringe and fills me with pure lust. For a full tour of the Matis collections – check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/magnetcreative/.

Lundstrom pays homage to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Bouffant bobs are kept in place with crystal hairbands, and prim leather gloves with 3/4 length sleeves are almost festishized as Jackie plays Madonna to Marilyn’s whore. Chloe Comme Parrish evolve in an accomplished collection subtly referencing the dungeons of the Spanish Inquisition, with ball bearing studs and metal gauntlets.

At times the audience was just as interesting as the clothes on the runway! Looking forward to Dixon on Thursday! Happy Fashion Week!

To be honest, it takes a full-time team to run a successful fashion blog and especially to be able to write and blog about all the fabulous things that are happening in Toronto’s fashion scene – time I just don’t have At this time, I am proud to say however that this is the 1069th post – added on to years of pages upon pages of photos, articles and coverage that was published before the blog days.

There really is so much more to say though – so many great fashion and accessory designers to feature, fabulous boutiques and places to shop, artists, photographers, stylists and creative people making the city a more interesting place! Fortunately there are some really great blogs these days for your T.O. fashion fix (fashion magazine, chickadvisor, torontolife,).

If I had more time, these are some of the things I wanted to tell you about (from my TO DO folder):

This is the fabulously fashionable Beckerman family via beckermanbiteplate.blogspot.com.  I love it! They all seem to have such fun with fashion and maintain such creative day to day lives! Check out the blog…

I recently met the sweetest Toronto-based, Brazilian born shoe designer Perla Porto (and Fernanda shown here) at her new Queen Street West shoe boutique! The shop is awaiting its fall/winter merchandise before officially opening, and will then carry Perla’s supple, Brazilian made shoes for women. The Girl from Ipanema shoes are exclusive and affordable – Perla only has very small runs made from start-up factories in Brazil (apparently this initiative has even helped to employ some of Brazil’s homeless people). Stay tuned T.O or shop online!

Do you know these girls? They’re the amazing Deadly Nightshades – designers, artists, renegade cyclists… Cat’s AKA Big Red’s Etsy shop is empty right now but she makes this cool laser cut jewellery and fox tails (all discards from the fashion fur industry). Also if you need ANY help with your fashion business – ANYTHING, contact the girls – they can help.

These are photos of a Denis Gagnon runway presentation. If I was a big star and had to walk a premiere or awards show runway, I would definitely wear a Denis Gagnon dress and be the hottest, most fashionable babe on the block!

One of the perks of publishing a fashion blog is all the great things you get to try (mind you, you work your butt off). I received a lovely package of three Soulstice Spa vegan nailpolishes from Nailpolish Canada recently! “Soulstice Spa nail polish is vegan, cruelty-free (verified by PETA) & free of the toxins dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde and toluene.”

I love this – an online nail polish superstore, in Canadian dollars and shipped within Canada so no duties! And they have all the greatest brands (OPI, Orly, Essie, etc…) at competitive prices. Support Canadian business!

These are photos from Haute Classics (946 Yonge Street). It’s consignment, gently used Chloe, Marni, Prada, Gucci… All designer handbags, shoes, clothing, accessories. If you don’t have $$$$ to drop on a new IT bag, how about $$?!

I love this – KRANE underwear for men.

Some DIY Couture ideas I was saving – A Sharpie clutch from PS I Made This and this season’s creative DIY – leopard print (or multi-color of any kind) nails.

Photos I haven’t posted from a Tropical Barbie party (it was a blast!)

Wow, I was really late with this one…it’s Fort Apparel Toronto gear, but apparently this one-man operation closed up shop last fall. With a marriage, new house, other work, blah, blah, designer Trevor Crane couldn’t keep up – I hear ya brother!

I wasn’t too excited over this season’s POLKA DOT trend until I saw these Stella McCartney dresses! Love! Mango has polka dots – dresses, scarves, blouses…

I always wanted to be a shoe designer! Fashion designer Philip Sparks got that lucky chance – he designs men’s shoes for Town Shoes – very stylish, dapper shoes for men!

See what I mean – I can truly go on forever, but unfortunately don’t have all that time!

So I’ll just stop here with wishes for a wonderful holiday for everyone! Thanks for reading,

Rachel

The Globe and Mail‘s Tiyana Grulovic and Robert Weir

Designer Jules Power and Suzanne Boyd

Amy Burstyn-Fritz of Knot Pr

Glenna Weddle and Faith Orfus of Yorkville’s hip RAC Boutique – No wonder these gals look so good!

Photo Credit: Korby Banner

Jewellery designers  donated and created African-inspired pieces that were auctioned off at the event – includi C’est Joli, Colette Harmon, J. Rox, Jewellery by Karen, Monikque Jewellery, Melissa Clemente Designs, Rita Tesolin, Sylvia Brade, and Tracy Borlase. Each individual piece will be up for grabs during the live auction directly following the fashion show with all proceeds raised to be donated to the cause.

ABOUT CASCATA BLU
Cascata Blu is sexy beachwear designed by Torontonian, Cheryl Gushue. Gushue designed a junior line right out of college working with stretch fabrics creating sexy clubwear that was sold at a trendy Toronto retailer Urban Behavior. Her work has been featured on Fashion Television, in TChad Magazine and received national media exposure as a finalist in the esteemed TFI New Labels competition. With the investment of her new partner Joan Kelley, Cheryl is now full force ahead creating Cascata Blu.

The items include luxury jewellery, cocktail dresses, and other fashions all encompassing the Ukamaku branded colors. There are limited quantities of each item, and proceeds from the sales of the items will benefit Food For The Poor Canada (FFPC), a charitable organization which supplies sewing machines to communities in need.

Blue Sequin Coss-over Dress $200 by Breeyn McCarney (5 avail) | Isabel Top $199 by Angela Chen

Pink Tartan’s 1 Year Anniversary at the Toronto Flagship Store, 77 Yorkville Ave.

Bright animal prints, leather and studs, and Miami Beach prints in iconic dresses (bold designs, and cut outs), skirts and accessories. For men, it’s all about the tailoring. This more affordable, yet still traditional Versace line captures Donatella’s best hits and modernizes them, generating this extraordinary line.

Versace for H&M will be available in larger H&M stores in Toronto including the Eaton Centre, Bloor Street and Yorkdale Mall.

H&M’s SS ’12 collection is a complete line for men, women, and children. Modern tailoring to create crisp, fresh pieces is a big trend for next season, along with feminine and romantic touches. The women’s line also features whites, creams, bright yellow and orange, as well pastel blues and peaches. Accessories for women are chunky and bold, bringing modern fashion back to the 60’s.

For men, there are no boundaries! It’s all about adding a modern twist; pairing marina stripes and khakis, with bright orange, yellow, and red. The focus is on authenticity, which really came through throughout the collection. Pieces that really stand out are the long kimono floral jacket, the neon orange and teal wedge shoes, and geometric shaped white and orange bangles.

The H&M’s S/S’12 collection will be released sometime between January – March, 2012.