I May Be Bad...But Not THAT Bad

Photo by Sarah Francis (and yes, she is wearing underwear) 

Let me first admit that I've never reached the coveted front row at a fashion show (other than as a tag-along) until this week.  I had nothing impeding my view of the Basch by Brandon show so it was, to say the least, intense.  The show tarted with Rihanna's 'S&M' blaring through the packed room, interrupted by an intermittent Zoolander-esque (or was it Wizard of Oz-ish?) voice reminding us that 'It's Basch, bitches!'  

Front row quickly turned to pervert's row as models stomped down the runway in caged neon and black booties, pin-straight hair swinging to and fro and mouths in full come-hither pouts.  Body-conscious mini-dresses in black, lavender, and taupe with splashes of acid green in the form of rope belts and leather wrist bands (all the better to tie you up with, my dears?) were more nightclub than boudoir - or maybe it's just my cotton-heavy boudoir that's in need of a little revamping?  Hemlines dropped occasionally to the ground which is where I saw actual signs of wearability. Regardless, Brandon Dwyer's show was totally hard-hitting in a uniquely un-Canadian way and I, while maybe not that kind of girl, still loved every showy moment.  

Home Again, Jiggety-Jig

Hi everyone,

Just wrapping up Fashion Week and haven't been able to upload my pics yet since I'm here, there and everywhere and on my way home soon.   Love you, my patient impatiens!  It's been a fantastic week for Canadian fashion and I, for one, could not be more proud of our homegrown talent.

xoxo

The Silver Fox Strikes Again

Photos by RLR

Last night, the fashion crowd at Heritage Court was a little giddy.  We were the breathless fans and Joe Mimran was our Justin Bieber.  He sat in the front row at his wife's Pink Tartan show (more on that later), cool as a Loblaws cucumber with his flowing silver mane and bright orange scarf, beaming confidently even though his own show was less than an hour away.  He's a devoted husband, a silver fox and makes super cute clothes which I can totally afford.  Sigh.

Back before Joe came along, buying your pants at the grocery store was something you tried to do in relative secrecy so it seems almost counterintuitive that it should be the hot ticket of Fashion Week. Still, the Joe Fresh Style show manages to draw the most high-profile crowd and the collections are dependably pretty, casual and totally chic. Given that the line's only been around since 2006 and with his NY store set to open this Fall, Joe, like the Biebs, is practically prepubescent.  A Canadian brand on the cusp of global domination?  I'm picturing Joe in 3-D in theatres this fall.  To the border-hopping haters, all I can say is 'never say never'.

For Fall 2011, Joe referenced the era-du-moment, with seventies-inspired silhouettes and happy brights. Camels and shades of white were punctuated by juicy orange, sky blue and kelly green.  Hints of gold rounded out the collection and the thoroughly modern neoprene coats were a big hit - I even spotted several poker-faced editors smile (just a little), before reaching for their Blackberries.  Tweet tweet.

My must-haves for Fall?  I must, must, must have the gold brogues, neoprene coats in EVERY colour (worn with a crisp, white shirt) and the metallic leather-fringed mini skirts - and I wonder why my grocery bills keep going up..

Check out pics from last night's show by clicking on the thumbnails below (photos courtesy George Pimentel/WireImage):

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Diary of a Big Red Skirt

Photos by RLR 

Tuesday, March 29th, 2011

3:19 p.m - After a morning of cupcake decorating, two-year-old freak-outs (mostly cupcake-related) and an above-average number of wholly unglamorous diaper changes (TMI?), I've managed to get myself reasonably prettied up for LG Fashion Week.  I'll be arriving fashionably late - 1 whole day to be precise - since Fashion Week's in Toronto, I'm in Union and couldn't find anyone to watch the kids yesterday.  Click here for a good recap from Day One.  Living a few hours away from the city brings with it a whole host of challenges when it comes to writing a blog about fashion.  Obvious distance issues aside, my big challenge at the moment is trying desperately to fit in at the London VIA Rail station in my red pouffy skirt (think Alice in Wonderland meets Jil Sander), black sparkly tee and sky-high wedges.  It's an exercise in futility.  People are staring at me with a mix of pity and bemusement.  I normally drive to these events but James insisted I take the train so that I could get work done in transit.  He's usually right but right now, kinda wishing I was in my car, hurtling down the highway.  Screw them.  I look super hot.  I'm a woman of mystery.  Cue aviators.

3:23 p.m -  A girl just asked if she can get her picture taken with me.  Does she think I'm the on-board entertainment?  Do they have that on trains?  Forgot to mention that aforementioned red pouffy skirt is actually a dress doubling as a skirt that I wore to my gr. 12 semi-formal.  Tonight, it will be referred to as 'vintage'.

3:25 p.m -  Since I have to go straight from the station to Heritage Court, I have one massive bag to house my laptop, camera, wallet, notepad, makeup bag, pyjama pants and underwear (for reals) and have to carry it around with me all night.  Starting to question James' wisdom - wow, first time that's ever happened.

3:36 p.m - Phew.  On the train.  Silent seat-mate already passed out with his iPod beside me.  Double phew.

3:52 p.m - OOH!   Treat cart!  Yes please!

3:55 p.m - I LOVE the train.  Munch, munch, munch.  James was right!

5:25 p.m - Got so much work done and am just about to pull into Union Station.  Will post about the shows when I can hook my camera up.  Now it's time to WORK IT! 

6:15 p.m - Just snuck into Korhani Rugs Runway Show.  People should walk on rugs, not wear them.  Still, loved the dogs on the runway.  The last model carried a little lapdog under one arm and walked a massive poodle with the other, AND did it all in towering heels on a slippery runway.  Props.

7:36 p.m - Waiting for Pink Tartan to start and don't really know anyone so am getting friendly with a glass of red wine.  Hello, friend!  `

7:48 p.m - Still waiting.  Just got my pic snapped with the Ken models at Mattel's Barbie & Ken studio.  Kinda nice to see men be objectified for a change.  They kept calling me 'doll' and I'm imagining Mattel's Ken School where they teach all of their male models how to do the plastic smile and how to pronounce 'doll' without sounding sleazy.  Show about to start!

8:01 p.m - Pink Tartan's amazing.  Kimberley Newport-Mimran is super cool and Joe Mimran in the front row beaming w pride.  I want everything.

8:20 p.m - Hitting up the media lounge where they have rows of laptops set up for us -  cool crystal lamps and lucite chairs.  Very Philippe Starck.  V Cool.  Photographer beside me with the biggest camera I've ever seen up close.  Total lens envy.

8:42 p.m - Waiting in the crowd for Joe Fresh to start.  Feet about to implode.

9:15 p.m - Joe Fresh Style is my fave.  Amaaaazing models (as per us.), great soundtrack (Dragonette's 'Hello') and of course, the clothes are casual cool at their absolute best.  All the big names come to this show and I'm right up at the front with them.  I WANT the bright neoprene coats in every colour.  Lots of bright, juicy oranges (perfect for a grocery store brand), sky blues and vibrant greens worn with crisp white shirts and gold brogues.  Pretty!

9:49 p.m - Debating between sleep and waiting for the Bustle show.  Duty prevails

10:15 pm - Bustle show inspired by dog-sledding and winter cabin retreats - think lots of cozy knits, plaids and cocked-brow models walking down the runway with glasses of scotch - hilarious.

11:02 p.m - Grabbing a cab back to my sister's place.  Exhausted but deeply satisfied.  Back at the train station for 6:30 so need to rest up before heading home.  Can't wait for the rest of Fashion Week.  Definitely wearing flats to my next shows (cute ones, naturally).  Bonsoir, mes belles!

Me (aka. Style Reporter for iVillage.ca)

Photo courtesy iVillage 

Any guesses as to who's the new Style Reporter for the soon-to-launch iVillage.ca?  Wait for it...wait for it... Did the title give it away?  Hee!  I'm super excited to be working with iVillage and can't wait for the Canadian site to debut in May.  Click here for their Facebook page (I'll love you if you 'like' it) and to follow my LG Fashion Week musings.  Am actually riding VIA Rail right now, on my way to the Pink Tartan, Joe Fresh Style and Bustle shows tonight.  Does it get any more Canadian than that?