Toronto Fashion Week is always a great platform to see what our beloved Canadian (or mostly Canadian, anyway) designers are up to. This time around, we saw looks ranging from casual (like, housecoat casual) to not so casual (I'm talking ball gowns so big you could smuggle all sorts of things under their skirts), designed by fashion week veterans and newcomers alike. Deep V necklines, relaxed silhouettes, sportswear details, and washed-out colour palettes were repeated pretty much every show, yet each designer put their own unique spin on the top trends of Spring 2014. But, out of the hundreds of garments that swept and sashayed past me all week, only a good handful really stood out.
These are my picks for the top looks from Toronto Fashion Week based on creativity and construction. Feel free to disagree.
Although the name change may have baffled a few, it's pretty clear nobody does androgyny better than Beaufille[1] (née Chloe Comme Parris), meaning "handsome girl" in French. This particular look masters the art of marrying femininity and grungy edge with its subtle floral texture, gold hardware, and kimono-esque silhouette.
More often than not, I'm so turned off by Bustle[2] 's styling choices that I forget how great the individual pieces are. This season, I was pleasantly surprised by this look's whole package - the complementary colour scheme and oriental floral print make it cool and quirky without trying too hard.
Mackage[3] sent look after look down the runway featuring earth tones and mini-length silhouettes. Though the olive greens and bright oranges were a sight to see, this more muted ensemble makes me appreciate the little things: the silver neckline, chevron quilting, fancy booty shorts, and - of course - the cute and cuddly white purse.
I'm going to be honest: I'm not used to seeing Rudsak[4] do colour. I was beginning to think they didn't know how. But, when this mustard jacket swept by with a pair of itty-bitty python shorts, my jaw dropped. Only metaphorically, though - from what I've seen, those sitting front row must always look unimpressed.
Colour blocking's probably the longest running trend of the 21st century. Melissa Nepton[5] dared to reinvent it by throwing in a sheer panel complete with keyboard-like squares. High five for the midi length, too - I was getting a little tired of the mini.
I know most of you won't agree with me, but I need to own Travis Taddeo[6] 's Birkenstock-esque sandals. And the socks that go with them. In every colour. Anyway, it was hard to pick my favourite look because I was distracted by said footwear, but - due to basket weave quilted sweatpants - this one wins.
Malorie Urbanovitch[7] - one of the two winners of this year's Mercedes-Benz StartUp[8] competition - really hit the nail on the head with this low-key office lady look. Not only is the racerfront dress flawlessly finished, its satiny smoothness sets off the fuzzy plaid cardigan and the teal shoes are an unexpected (but really awesome) pop of colour.
Sid Neigum[9] may have put the antenna hair[10] to rest, but he still caused a stir with his glamourized paper bag boots. Peculiar footwear aside, this laser cut dress' clean lines and oxblood hue kills it.
Subtle pinstripe. Slate grey. Brown belt to match brown shoes. Impeccable tailoring. Thank you, Christopher Bates[11] . Please dress all men in the world from now on.
I knew to expect bold, strong lines and structured silhouettes at JNBY's first North American runway show[12] , but I had no idea a collection inspired by architecture would bring out something as delicate and feminine as this. The revealing neckline and watercolour print are obvious showstoppers, but I would also like to applaud the graceful dress-over-pants execution and non-frumpy pixie shoes.
Photos courtesy World MasterCard Fashion Week
Thanks to MasterCard Stylicity for sponsoring our coverage of Toronto Fashion Week[13]
References
- ^ Beaufille (beaufille.com)
- ^ Bustle (bustleclothing.com)
- ^ Mackage (mackage.com)
- ^ Rudsak (www.rudsak.com)
- ^ Melissa Nepton (melissanepton.com)
- ^ Travis Taddeo (travistaddeo.com)
- ^ Malorie Urbanovitch (malorie.ca)
- ^ Mercedes-Benz StartUp (www.mercedes-benzstartup.com)
- ^ Sid Neigum (sidneigum.com)
- ^ antenna hair (style.blogto.com)
- ^ Christopher Bates (christopherbates.com)
- ^ JNBY's first North American runway show (www.blogto.com)
- ^ Thanks to MasterCard Stylicity for sponsoring our coverage of Toronto Fashion Week (ads.suite6ixty6ix.com)
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