Yesterday was the fifth and final day at World MasterCard Fashion Week with six designers hitting the runways and a great after party featuring Canadian electro-pop sensation Dragonette!
My day started out with an amazing opportunity to enjoy breakfast with Jeanne Beker at The Ritz Carlton Hotel hosted by MasterCard Canada as part of their Stylicity campaign. I was beyond thrilled to meet such a fashion icon and loved hearing her thoughts on the Canadian fashion industry and IMG‘s ownership of fashion week. She complimented my outfit (OMG!) and was kind enough to pose for a photo with me too!
It was a moment to tick off the Dainty Girl bucket list! Okay back to the tents…with gorgeous orchids lining the runway and floral toppers on the models, Paraezo Couture hit the runway with spring bridal gowns worth swooning over.
For his runway debut, lead designer Bruce Dang was inspired by the budding flower and fairy tale-worthy wedding gowns with sensational curves and sparkling embellishments. The shapes varied from mermaid to ball gown, but I would’ve liked to see more than just strapless sweetheart necklines. Here are my favourite styles:
Back in the studio space, Travis Taddeo returned to World MasterCard Fashion Week with his SS’13 men’s and women’s collection.
Focusing on jersey knits and clean cuts, this collection is minimalistic and sporty with a little bit of edge. The dresses were pretty revealing with lots of slashes, cutouts and peekaboo mesh. I really enjoyed the leather pieces and the fun ruffle skirts; check out some runway shots:
I had never heard of UNTTLD before their show at World MasterCard Fashion Week so it was great to see a designer that was new to me! The SS’13 collection featured simple shapes and fabrics in a mostly black and white palette with some army green and a finale of copper orange.
This Japanese inspired collection featured kimono wrapped jackets, army green suits, fitted dresses as well as gauzy maxi styles with sexy sheer panels. I think it was a little too dark for a spring collection, but I loved the futuristic hair and the long silver talons done by Pinky’s Nails. Here are some of my favourite looks:
There has been a lot of buzz around AlliStyle – the first plus-sized collection to hit the runway at World MasterCard Fashion Week. With empowering songs like “I’m Every Woman” playing, gorgeous curvy models walked the runway in figure flattering AlliStyle designs made from soft and sustainable bamboo and organic cotton.
The collection featured lots of dresses, tunics and some sassy separates in a wide variety of bright colours contrasted with black accents. I’d love to see this line step it up with some fun embellishments next season. It was fabulous to see Whitney Thompson (ANTM Winner) walk the runway as the face of AlliStyle too! Here are some of my favourite looks:
Next came the highly anticipated VAWK / VAWKKIN show which drew high praise from the crowd. Designer Sunny Fong appealed to the every-woman with his ready-to-wear, office friendly line, VAWKKIN. I really enjoyed the variety of body types modelling the clothes, but would’ve liked to see more than just well-cut pantsuits and simple black dresses.
The real wow factor came when VAWK hit the runway with crazy sexy dresses featuring perfect cutouts, leather embellishments, strong shoulders and a Madonna inspired gold cone bra! With impeccable tailoring, sharp lines and a dark colour palette, this collection evoked a sexy confidence with a hint of androgyny. Here are my favourite looks:
Last but not least, retail friendly lifestyle brand, Express hit the runway with a finale show featuring Canadian catwalk princess Jessica Stam.
I’ve always thought of Express as a casual brand for men and women, but they presented a flirty collection of cocktail dresses for the ladies and tailored suiting for men. Affordable party frocks hit the runway in a wash of bright colours, florals, stripes including sexy LBD’s with lace sleeves and a variety of peplum styles. I must admit, the finale parade had a total prom-vibe, but here are my favourite looks:
Immediately following the show, guests, media, designers and models all filtered in to the studio space for an after-party hosted by Express. It was a full house and there was a little bit of a fashion frenzy when they started giving away free clothes, but soon enough, everyone’s attention turned to the stage for an amazing show by Dragonette!
Congratulations to IMG and MasterCard Canada for putting on such a fabulous fashion week in Toronto! Special thanks to Target Canada for keeping us comfortable, hydrated and nourished in the Media Lounge all week and thanks to Redken, Maybelline and Essie Canada for keeping us beautiful! To all of my designer, buyer, blogger, photographer, PR and media friends – I had so much fun with you and can’t wait until next season! See you all next March 
