Sunny Disposition at VAWK

THE most anticipated show of LG Fashion Week here in Toronto took place Monday at the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) under the most gorgeous natural light in Walker court- an indoor, glass roofed courtyard dominated by a chunky winding staircase conceived by the one and only Toronto born architect Frank Gehry. Sunny was dangerously late coming to the venue, missing the a key interview. He came over to us cheekily grinning and sheepishly admitted that he had been sewing last minute! Those of us who tune in to Project Runway have seen how crazy last minute alterations can really be before the judging!
VAWK Spring 2010 consisted of French Polynesian influences and statements made about conventional beauty. I ate with the models along with the other assistants (models + food = no oxymoron at Sunny's show). Although the food provided were sandwiches the size of my fingers, no stick thin, starving girls were in sight. Sunny included two models that did not match conventional beauty standards. One woman was older, perhaps in her early 40s. She was tall and beautiful yes, but definitely no hip swinging young thing. She had noticeable poise and elegant cropped hair. Another model sported half a sleeve of tattoos and was considerably curvier than her peers. Again, very tall but had gorgeous curves and a bum that really filled out the fuchsia floor-length gown. She even rocked the scandalously high slit. My favourite quote given by the smiley designer was re-Tweeted by his business partner Ben Barry and fellow champion of model diversity:
"I want the body to translate the garment. On a skinny girl, it says nothing." - Sunny Fong, VAWK. Clearly Fong recognizes where the big bucks are- real women.
Highlights included a pair of shorts, suggestively cut out at the back with draping that managed to softly sweep against the outer thigh (First photo below). The leather jackets and blazers were perforated by hand, with a hammer- fantastic craftsmanship but won't come cheap in the stores. The palate of the dresses was surprising- tan, fuchsia and red- definitely evoking a Polynesian sunset but I thought the dresses could have been a bit more effective without the thick, darker brown belts. The tattoo-like appliqués were reminiscent of hibiscus flowers growing like vines up and down the bodies of the models.
Some other insider notes to share: Gift bag contents included wasabi peas, yogurt-covered raisins, a Winners notebook, VAWK canvas bag and AGO brochures.
The DJ's playlist consisted of heavily house-ified top 40 hits by Gaga, Black Eyed Peas and Britney. When the show started, tribal drum beats got the house beats treatment as well with booming bass to compliment the confident bounce in the step of the models.
The after party was in the village. Sipping a VAWK-tini, I took the opportunity to lock eyes with the man of the hour and was able to introduce myself via air-kisses and complimented the white strapless number in particular, shouting over the music "that one is going to sell like crazy!"
Photo Credits: Fashion Magazine.com, ElleCanada.com, Toronto Life

Nuit Blanche, a Showcase of Street Style. I love T.O.

The rain held out and so did my new comfy studded boots from Aldo, as my friends and I covered some serious ground. Last night's Nuit Blanche in Toronto was a total success according to various Tweets, articles and public opinion. Of course I had an absolute blast but can also offer up some commentary and constructive criticism- it is for this reason I cultivate a platform such as The Laurel Wreath.
My pals and I started out at Yonge and Dundas Square, completely overwhelmed by the throngs of art lovers and revelers. (Embarking at about 9:30pm, it seemed as almost every attendee also picked this hour as the time to pick up maps and get situated). Massey Hall would have been an amazing stop- the exhibit sounded amazing. (They apparently made the entire theatre into an instrument, running strings from either side). Unfortunately the line up was as long as two city blocks, as were the cues at a couple of other stations. Clearly the popularity of this year's Nuit Blanche has grown exponentially. Closed streets were packed with people and midway rides, unruly spectators were skipping coins across the surface of the "Pool of Vodka" installation in the CIBC building, making the puddle spill over. The constant mopping of the floor by an attendant was a distraction. The lights suspended between City Hall were stunning and inexplicably creepy, with a computer-generated voice, abyss-deep spoke each code that was displayed at random. It was most unsettling as the letters displayed the word "rise" and the voice seemed to beckon the city to obey- a moment straight out of a sci-fi flick. The "Toronto celebrities" playing a game of Monopoly with real money at the TSX wasn't quite the highlight that the programme talked it up to be. We the laity were separated from these "A-listers" by windows. Toronto rapper K-OS knocked a wine glass off the table and as it silently smashed to the ground, a few bored spectators giggled. People were spilling out of Starbucks locations around the downtown core and it took nearly half an hour to acquire a Grande Pumpkin-Spiced Latte or even to use the facilities.
I for one love crowds- the excitement and curiosity, the laughter and the movement of the mob is what I live for, especially at an event so unique and one that Torontonians seemed so proud of and inspired by. It definitely jacked me up, just to be a part of the whole thing. I just think that crowd control is something that should perhaps be a focal point of next year's planning.
The crowds did however, provide opportunity for style hunting, although to even attempt to point the camera anywhere but upwards was a bit of a challenge, especially along Yonge Street. One woman's simple, chic yet dead-on adoption of two of the hottest trends caught my eye and I give kudos, awarding the figurative Laurel Wreath for a fashion victory. Cool buckled, cut-out heels reaching calf-length and a fantastic black hip-length satchel blanketed in studs accented a luxurious long black coat with a great collar. Unfortunately, getting bumped into by passersby prevented the best of shots, however I could not pass up the opportunity to request a photo. Of course the night brought out the fashion-conscious yuppies, the hippest hipsters and artists of all genres- but everywhere, literally everywhere there was leather. For fall, biker chic is the reigning look for all the bad girls and boys of Toronto.
After a quick drink of a little champy at a friend's condo on Queen's Quay, we proceeded to WALK to the Distillery. After catching a dance performance starring drag queens who showed off the most enviable calves and quite the elegant strut in coral heels on the cobblestones, we ducked in to one of the many gallery spaces and took in the graphic works on display.
Truly a proud night for Canadian arts and a fantastic, FREE opportunity to experience what it is to appreciate homegrown talent.

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Photo Credits:
All Images Copyright thelaurelwreath.blogspot.com