BY Rea McNamara November 01, 2007 10:11
On Oct. 25, L'Oréal Fashion Week got an upgrade for the Spring/Summer 2008 collections with its very own Bryant Park white-tent treatment at Nathan Phillips Square. Random industry/non-industry celebrity sightings (k-os at Andy Thé-Ahn! Heather Marks opening Joe Fresh!) heated up the scene as designers showcased looks ranging from punk-rock chic to beachside resort. The burning question is: how can you sneak in those spring/summer trends now? We recommend colours and patterns that won't leave you out in the cold.
1: GSUS SINDUSTRIES
OK, so we feel a little guilty bigging up Amsterdam street styles,
but we couldn't help ourselves when we saw Kate Moss-worthy PVC pants
with suspenders and chunky plastic bracelets, along with patterned
hoodies and gold-lamé swimwear. Neon reflects the slow but steady
revival of '90s rave gear, but while other designers used it for
glamazon gowns, we think bright and shiny pants are better for November
party nights.
2: NADIA YOUSIF
Yousif's evocation of psychedelic Pucci-inspired prints had models
in a magical mystery tour hued in fuchsia, heliotrope, tangerine,
peacock blue and lemon. In between the solids of bubble skirts and
Annie Hall trousers, we especially loved her take on '70s Esprit-esque
plaid and can already predict the availability of a copped H&M
scarf in the same pattern that'll bring technicolour to your fall
jacket.
3: BUSTLE
It was a day at the races with the veteran menswear collection
playing with soft pinstripes, square-tipped ties, fitted
double-breasted vests and shrunken Wes Anderson-style suits. But the
punk-rock prep-school look comes in first, with the slacker '90s Docker
shorts and scuffed boat shoes. A turned-up collar on the single button
jacket is recommended, though you could also pull a Fresh Prince and
turn that uniform inside out.
4: COMMON CLOTH
We dig the democratic styles of this Parkdale mainstay, especially
for their take on the neutrals trend that David Dixon and Andy Thé-Ahn
so perfectly packaged for Club Monaco consumption. Deconstructing the
elegance of the runways' embrace of minimalist white, Common Cloth
recalled loose Fruit of the Loom tees with Halston culottes, showing
the many ways in which ‘70s trends are emerging back onto the scene.
Après-five style
Kendra Francis, head designer of Franke (www.iamfranke.com), is Toronto fashion’s comeback queen.
Digital dress up
There’s a new wave of online fashion games that’s not only making dress-up a social (albeit competitive) activity
FAT feeds Toronto’s independent vision
Is fashion art?