Sunny Fong kicked off the week at the AGO.  VAWK’s collection Collision Fungi was exquisite, chic, and just the definition of feminine.  The designer drew from such inspirations as cars, and mushrooms.  This designer knows a thing or two..or three or four about a  woman’s body.   In addition, Sunny’s business partner and women’s advocate Ben Barry, also added diversity to the runway with having first time model, Kate, aged 50 walk the catwalk.  It wasn’t a gimmick.  It was a statement, which I believe was heard loud and clear. 

Evan Biddell’s collection definitely took us all on a journey through prehistoric time.  A short film created by photographer and business partner, Joseph Fuda, launched the line.  It was Oz-ome!  With Prehistory it was as if I was in a museum watching the findings from an archeological dig: thunderous harem pants, cork infused shredded jackets, and hunchback leather dresses.  Under any other direction these pieces might have come off as tyrannosaurus tragedy but Mr. Biddell’s vision made them a beautiful, larger than life, fashion feast.

Lucian Matis’ collection was a line fit for Queen.  Inspired by the designers’ Romanian background, this runway story used culture and folklore to display pieces that could only be described as stylist, Julia Seidl stated, ‘walking art’.  Lucian’s meticulous eye for detail created dresses full of gems, lace, and ballooning complex shoulders.  Paired with spectacular statement accessories provided by Jewelry By Karen and it was a storyline I wanted to watch over and over again.  Architecture.  Timeless.  Perfection. 

Seasoned designers Kimberly Mimran and David Dixon didn’t call it in either, they brought their fierce designs to the Toronto catwalk with full-houses.  The highly anticipated Pink Tartan collection made us fasten our seatbelts for the flight.  Cute aviator hats, harnesses, and fur wing-like details were ready for take off.  With designs that I could see myself wearing, fitting of the high-end Pink Tartan line, the audience swooned with each piece. 

David Dixon’s Signature line, New Tribe, showed with an edgy and fur-ocious collection.  In a way to deal with such tragedies as what took place in Haiti, the designer was inspired to look to cultures around the world to create a collection that celebrated different ethnicities: Canadian coyote, Japanese print, and African inspired leather woven skirts to name a few.  David Dixon created a tribe of his own at Allstream that night: a Tribe of enthused and enraptured fashion-goers.

As the curtains fell on this Fall/Winter 2010 LG Fashion Week these collections made me wish that fashion did follow the rules of the stage, because I wanted an Encore.  I guess one could only wish for as thrilling a performance as the next one you see.  And with the next Fashion Week in Toronto only around the corner I know my favourite runway-wrights will most likely get a standing ovation for their brilliant designs.  So take a bow!  I’ll gloss over some look books, and wait patiently for the next show.