Dare to Wear Love 2010, the closing show of LG Fashion Week, was more than I could have expected. Who knew that a mix of Canada’s top fashion designers on display, proceeds from the event benefitting the Stephen Lewis Foundation dedicated to eradicating HIV/AIDS in Africa, some of the most famous faces in Canadian media and entertainment would be models for the event, that the stats on HIV/AIDS would touch me a much as they did. You hear about or see them everyday but that doesn’t make them any more bearable to deal with. For example:

• IN SUB SAHARAN AFRICA NEARLY 12 MILLION CHILDREN HAVE LOST ONE OR BOTH OF THEIR PARENTS TO HIVAIDS
• YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 15-24 ACCOUNT FOR 45% OF ALL NEW HIV INFECTIONS
• IN NAMIBIA, TANZANIA, AND ZIMBABWE, 40-60% OF ORPHANED CHILDREN ARE CARED FOR BY GRANDMOTHERS
• WOMEN ACCOUNT FOR TWO-THIRDS OF ALL CAREGIVERS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV IN AFRICA.

Not things you think about on a daily basis but I can’t imagine living in an environment like this and I’m sure you can’t either. We’re all a part of a global village, and I’m grateful to have attended and done my, admittedly, very small part. I love fashion for a cause!

Now on to the show! In a word: gorgeous. The models were all draped in garments made of African cloth created by designers like Nada, David Dixon, Zoran Dobric, Wayne Clark, Adrian Wu, Kendra Francis, Izzy Camilleri, and many others. Media personalities like Anne Marie Mediwake, Anna Maria Tremonti, and Arlene Dickinson looked to be having a blast walking the runway. Breakfast Television’s Dina Pugliese was especially beautiful in perhaps the most grandiose wedding dress I’ve ever seen created by Ines di Santos.

Performances by Madagascar Slim, and Shelley Hamilton opened and closed the show but what got everyone talking, I’m sure, was the avatar dancer who came out in long dredlocks, a hip sash and nothing else. It was a beautiful, creative, and interesting addition to the show.

I’ve made my donation, you still can, and I can’t wait be in attendance again next season.

The Dare to Wear Love 2010 Lineup

Performance: Madagascar Slim (band)

1. Nada – Model: Tara Spencer Nairn, actor
2. Farley Chatto – Model: Kenneth, Ford Model
3. David Dixon – Model: Anne Marie Mediwake, CBC News
4. Reva Mivasagar – Model: Dayana, Push Models
5. Zoran Dobric – Model: Dejana Bajic, Shopsterium.com
6. Zoran Dobric – Model: Scott, Shok Models
7. Wayne Clark – Model: Mary Brisebois, NEXT Models
8. Adrian Wu – Model: Keshia Chante, pop singer

Performance: Laurence Lemieux, Hymn to the Universe (dance)

1. Linda Lundstrom – Model: Chemagne
2. Linda Lundstrom – Model: Kerrona, Push Models
3. Kimina – Model: Carlos, co-owner Memphis Presley
4. Ula Zukowska- model: Joydeen, Shok Models
5. Lovas Design – model: Camille, Ford Models
6. Comrags – Model: Anna Maria Tremonti, CBC’s The Current
7. Avioanni – Model: Alissa Valdenassi
8. Brian Bailey – Model: Renee Thompson, Push Models
9. Pat McDonagh – Model: Arlene Dickinson, CBC’s Dragon’s Den
10. Northbound Leather – Model: Charles Harris

Performance: Shelley Hamilton (song)

1. Hoax Couture – Model: Jonathan Cuthill, Elmer Olson Models
2. Hoax Couture – Model: Chukwe, NAM Model Management
3. Jason Meyers – Model: Angela Smith, ET Canada
4. Kendra Francis – Model: Sierra, Push Models
5. Damzels in this Dress – Model: Coco Framboise
6. Peach Berserk – Model: Wendy Mesley, CBC The National
7. Peach Berserk – Model: Kate
8. Fashion Crimes – Model: Jasmin Chorley Foster, FORD Models
9. Ines di Santo – Model: Dina Pugliese, Breakfast Television
10. Izzy Camilleri – Model: Bridget Stuart

Stats from www.daretowearlove.com

Not much of a secret that I adore Blossom Lounge in Unionville, Markham (yup, uptown girl I am) – the only thing more incredible than the selection of clothing up my alley are the always energetic and sweet girls that staff the store. In need of some threads for LG Fashion Week last week (wow, a week already) I popped by for a gander at the newest on display.

Had to pick up this Colcci dress that I immediately fell in love with as I pulled it on. Made with a soft jersey material, this one shoulder piece managed to have everything – great fitted body with drapey left sleeve. All mixed in with a great pattern hidden within (love the cloudiness). Finish it off with a built in tie-belt and you’ve got yourself a perfect length deal.

Though my pop-art-multi-shade-skintone do this dress no justice nor the boutique that it came from, I’m overwhelmingly ecstatic about having this piece join my closet. Thank you so much to the ladies at Blossom. If you aren’t already in touch with them, be sure to be:

@blossomlounge on Twitter

Blossom Lounge on Facebook.

much love,

- pasty girl

Romona Keveza‘s Spring/Summer 2011 was the final show of Thursday night’s LG Fashion week, and I’m positive it’s because they were saving the best for last.

Once the room filled up and the lights dimmed, the show kicked-off with scenes of Audrey Hepburn from “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, foreshadowing all the glamour and beauty to come (afterall, whoever in Hollywood was more beautiful and glamorous than she?). The first few dresses made it down the runway, and you could already feel the excitement building up in the room and hear the gasps coming from girls admiring the beautiful dresses that glided down the runway. Colours ranged from soft blue, green and pink hues, to black and white. There were silk fabric, chiffon, lace and rose petal detailing and there were cocktail dresses, evening dresses and yes, even wedding dresses. Perhaps the one dress that will be embedded in my memory for a long time is the stunning red evening gown (the only red dress  in the show), with a sweetheart neckline and one delicate slip of fabric draped across one arm, that traveled down the runway mid-show. It was the type of gown that if you ever dreamt about walking down the red carpet and could only choose one thing to wear, that would be it.

Romona Keveza’s Spring/Summer 2011 show definitely did not disappoint – the dresses were beautiful, the models were as pretty, and the show was entertaining and full of energy.

Amanda: After running into each other in the hallway of Heritage Court after Pink Tartan’s S/S 2011 show, both Josette and I could not stop gushing about the collection. Our shared enthusiasm led us to write this join piece on Kimberley Newport-Mirman’s latest offering.

Josette: The first model turned the corner, walked out on to the catwalk and I gasped. The bold pink and sharp blue hit me with a force and I realized 2011 is going to have a very beautiful Spring/Summer. Pink Tartan S/S 2011 is why I go to fashion shows.

Amanda: Fashion risk-takers will love this season’s bright orange skinny pant and matching low-cut shirt, while the more understated fashionistas will appreciate the royal blue trousers and one-shouldered maxi dresses. Though I’m not usually a loud-print girl myself, the giraffe-print jumpsuit is almost enough to make me change my mind. Paired, in her collection, with a khaki vest and sky-high platforms, the outfit is both cool and comfortable.

Josette: The pops of colour were such a welcome change from the drab greys and blacks of the season as a green, then a yellow, then an orange came down the runway in feminine, flattering cuts that promise to make any woman look good. Definitely inspired by the boho, ultra-lux looks of the ‘70s with wide legged pants, low cut and one shoulder dresses, headscarves, large brim hats, and circle shades galore.

My absolute favourite, most impressed-with part of the show was the model stance at the end of each walk. If you were at the show, you know what I mean. After each model did her thing, she stood on a lighted platform like a perfect, beautiful mannequin, showing a stunning, unforgettable collection.

Amanda: Though Newport-Mirman’s collection debuted on a lineup of thin-limbed, extra-skinny models, it’s easy to see that the wide-legged pants and button-up shirts would look great on fuller-figured girls, too.

The Final Verdict: As usual, Pink Tartan’s collection was nothing short of impressive, and definitely a highlight of this season’s LG Fashion Week. Newport-Mirman’s attention to detail, flattering silhouettes and bold patterns are what keeps us coming back to her shows year after year.

One particular word was repeated over and over at the Jessica Jensen + Alexander Berardi show: pretty. The show was pretty, and wearable, and made me miss and wish for spring.  This season’s show was a collabo with New York designer Alexander Berardi who provided gorgeous pieces that complimented Jensen’s handbags so incredibly well, you’d think the two were always a team. I’m a sucker for glitz so his gold dress with the cowl neck and the gold bolero pants were definite faves; however, I’d make room in my closet for the flirty frocks that would fit in well at any garden party.

As usual, Jensen’s bags were perfect for any occasion and like any statement bag, could be seen anywhere from the beach to an urban landscape. Jensen’s 2011 collection completely warrants her being nicknamed Toronto’s Handbag Queen.

> images from ellecanada.com and Knot PR.