The Spring 2012 edition of the semi-annual style summit kicked off yesterday with Holt Renfrew’s hot-ticket showcase… and a lot of complaints about seat assignments.
Biggest First-World-Problems ruckus
For the past few seasons, LG Fashion Week was in Ex-ile down at the CNE (i.e., the ends of the earth), causing an uproar each time about taking the streetcar or an endless string of cabs into the depths of the waterfront. This year, the tents are back downtown at David Pecaut Square, but there is a catch—the venue is way smaller. This means that many editors and writers have been banished from Front Row to the Siberian wilderness of the third row… and beyond. An actual freak-out ensued among many of the city’s fashion elite, with a deafening grumble vibrating the packed bleachers at the kick-off Holt Renfrew showcase; major cut-eye was leveled all around, while seasoned newspaper editors languishing in the fourth row uttering things like, “If I see some stupid blogger with 200 hits a month in the front row, so help me god…”
Best overheard reaction to the aforementioned ruckus
Two third-row gay dudes had the right attitude: “All that fuss over some queen booted out of their seat!” Their imitation of the general outrage was spot-on: “’You mean I wore this fur for nothing?!’”
Best designer pieces in Monday’s hot ticket, the Holt Renfrew opening showcase
Jeremy Laing’s apron-front dress, Naked & Famous’ plaid skinny trousers, Denis Gagnon’s silk strapless romper, Dennis Merotto’s slick trenches, and Wings + Horns’ nostalgic menswear.
Most head-scratching entry on the line-sheet
Scratch and Sniff Denim (Raspberry-Scented) from Naked & Famous
Strangest designer bow of the day
Twenty Cluny designer Sara Rabkin—clad in an over-the-top sparkly cocktail dress—looked, for some reason, completely enraged when she joined the other smiling showcase designers for their post-show bow.
Most triumphant return to Fashion Week
Arthur Mendonça broke a lot of hearts when he shuttered his line a couple of years ago, but this season saw his triumphant return to the Fashion Week runway proper after his first show back, which took place off-site this spring. Highlights included a tiger-print jumpsuit, swingy silk button-up dresses and lovely white silk trousers.
Best prints
JUMA siblings Jamil and Alia scored an impressive crowd for their intimate show in the Studio space, including the whole Flare crew. Prints are huge again for spring, and the pair rocked it out with woozy ’70s peacock prints to stern ’90s-esque minimalist striped knits.
