World MasterCard Fashion Week Day 5

Fashion Week Friday allowed for a more relaxed vibe and sense of satisfied completion. A few newcomers presented alongside more seasoned designers which made for a day of  fun all over the fashion spectrum.

Brit Wacher
Kicking off the day, first-time Fashion Week presenter Brit Wacher’s dark, avant-garde collection demonstrated her concept of fashion:science. Inspired by “her perspectives in experiencing life through fantasy and the surrounding realistic core conflicts of the world, her pieces are based upon her concept of duality and the passage of energy through time and space.” This translated into a shadowy collection with exaggerated silhouettes, with models walking before posing on one of four platforms on each corner of the runway. With a thick braid down the centre of their heads and a silver V in between their eyes, the feel was decidedly progressively new-wave and experimental.

Anu Raina
On a brighter note, both in colours in the collections and mood, Anu Raina’s presentation was full of orange, blue, green and purple and true to what she’s well-known for – prints! Featuring Totally T.O.-centric prints, the designer drew inspiration from the ROM, also presenting pieces printed with maps of the city, the city skyline at night, neighbourhoods like Yorkville and Parkdale and subway lines. Cutesy shapes, like a trapeze coat, were brought to a sleeker place with hits of sophistication like a sheer top and leather detailing.

Hilary MacMillian
Next up, Hilary MacMillian also flexed her print-muscles and opened the show with an allover pheasant print that made its way onto a few dresses and separates. Luxe hits of rabbit fur, waxed tweed, wool and leather brought modernity to the Scottish-inspired collection that did indeed also include classic tartan. Lots of white and black were punched up with hits of red, and separates like a shiny-metallic wool cropped sweater and slim herringbone pants and peplum top looked fresh for fall and will surely become easy to mix-and-match staples.

Madame Moje
Another Toronto World MasterCard Fashion Week newcomer, Madame Moje, was  next up and contrastingly presented not a single separate in sight. Rather, a stream of gorgeous, dressy dresses swished down the runway in colours like, burgundy, coral, red, turquoise and navy. While the silhouettes were form fitting, detailing like an exposed zipper, ruffles, peplums, mesh cutouts and lace overlays added a layer of dimension that elevated the dresses from simply sexy to sophisticated yet still seductive.

Narces
Continuing the day with even more glamour, Narces presented their FW 2014 collection with a stunning and intricate evening wear collection. ” Influenced by iconic women of the 1940-60s synonymous with romantic glamour and elegance, empowered by their unique sense of style,”the collection was full of creamy neutrals, punctuated with pops of red and cobalt. Gorgeous detailing like rows of sequins, gilded brocade and delicately embroidered  florals and lace lent a romantic, dreamy, elevated elegant feel., while glamorous outwear, like a fur stole with a huge sheer ribbon and a fuzzy ,white, proper Chanel-looking jacket added to the grandeur and made this one chic collection.

Stephen Caras
“Stephen Caras’ status as a top tier designer has recently earned him a spot in CEO World Magazine and Runway Magazine’s “List of World’s Top 20 Fashion Designers,” as well as the “Top 25 Most Beloved and Inspiring Fashion Designers of the World. Feminine sensuality defines Caras’ philosophy of design. Never influenced by trends, his inspiration is driven by the femininity that women exude.” Caras’ collection couldn’t have depicted this more, and the sweeping, dramatic, ultra-femme pieces struck a perfect balance between flirty and fun and elegant and poised.

Matthew Gallagher
Closing the week,  modern, opulently sophisticated, enchantingly polished and precision-focused Matthew Gallagher presented a collection worthy of leaving us wanting more – even after a whole week packed full of fashion. As FASHION Magazine explained, “folds and drapes fell with precise placement and fluted skirting was done so finely that the seams were practically invisible. Shoulders and necklines were of a particular focus for Gallagher, each piece presenting a new look that was conservative and yet still had plenty of allure.” Pieces were elevated by special details like unique cutouts, silhouettes and fabrics, making this a banger of a closer sure to keep us dreaming of till Fall.

It’s a bittersweet feeling that the 5 day F/W season has come to an end. I’m going to miss all my fashion friends new and old, but most especially spending every waking minute covering my favourite Canadian designers side-by-side with Travis. Special thanks to rock-it promotions for helping to keep me organized and to George Pimental for keeping every one away from our “satelite media room corner office.” See you at the tents in September for S/S 2015!