Hilary MacMillan at The Glass Factory / Fall 2013

Spring is creeping closer and closer - it's time for some serious Fashion! Just last week here in Toronto I had the privilege to attend the Runway debut of local designer Hilary MacMillian for her Fall 2013 Collection.

Premiering at The Glassy Factory just off the Queen West strip, MacMillan boasted an aesthetic that played with glistening gold textures and damask opulence in wearable, urban forms. Creamy, off-whites and rich blacks were dotted with bright, blood reds and cool beiges (a perfectly balanced palette of what Fall neutrals should be) in classic pencils skirts, tailored 50's-era coats, and light-weight trenches. We absolutely loved seeing gold take centre stage as it beamed forward from all that neutrality; and especially the intricacy of the gold, patterned in finely detailed textural sequins in trim and even full-body forms; adding glamour, richness, and a glitzy, 80's touch to a generally clean-cut aesthetic.

Accented with the lightest fabrics (what looked like it could've been soft Chiffon) and classic Fall textures like Fur and Leather; Hilary's showcase was strong, concise, and well executed. Congratulations on your Runway debut Hilary! Hope to see all you have to offer Toronto in the future.

All Images Courtesy Magnet Creative

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Day 2 at World MasterCard Fashion Week / LINE Knitwear

Day 2 at World MasterCard Fashion Week featured Line Knitwear as it's second-last showing, behind the incomparable Sid Neigum to close the night. A fantastic presentation of long sweaters, over-sized knitted forms, and fantastic gold elements; Line was masterfully composed. One of our favourites of the entire day; Line was unique in the sense that it presented a Collection that was simultaneously wearable, marketable, modern, consistently on-point in terms of trend; yet remained interesting and new. Hugely draped forms were accented with eye-catching textures of leather and metallic while sharper cut pieces were grounded with cinched waists, laser-cut skirts, and fantastic ankle boots.

We especially loved the leather skirt details. Such a simple shape and form; yet the glossy black, flowing material makes it seem that much richer, that much more expensive, and chicer as a result. It turns up the knitwear as a whole, which is the foundation of Line, and takes from casual to refined. Sweaters were worn almost like trench coats, with a refinement and poise, taking the aesthetic of Line as a whole to a much more prestigious, rich level. A fantastic presentation full of diverse shapes, awesome forms, but finished with a sharp and beautiful simplicity - I'd love to own any one of these great pieces!

All credit to the amazing photos goes to Jenna Marie Wakani and Fashion Magazine

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Day 2 at World MasterCard Fashion Week / Mercedes-Benz Start Up: DUY

I couldn't wait to review this Collection and you're about to see why. DUY, a Montréal-raised and trained powerhouse Design-phenom, presented his Winter 2013 Collection last night at World MasterCard Fashion Week to significant praise! We were in absolute awe - at least I was - to the majesty, structure, power, and brilliance of this Collection. Victorian in essence and energy, DUY's Winter 2013 showcase was presented with an unyielding grandeur. Opulent forms in exaggerated, dramatic shapes slowly glided down the runway in Slate Greys, glittering Blacks, crisp Whites, and Olive leathers. Accented with bold, textural knits and hints of brilliant Silver, the entire Collection looked extremely expensive and impeccably constructed - from the laser-cut lines on some of those incredible cropped jackets to the floral motifs seemingly cut-out by hand. Jarring to see, in a beautiful way, and a stand-out presentation from the entire week.

There are very few Designers that I see present a Collection of this type of visual magnitude. Not to say that so many of the other Designers showing this week aren't as equally incredibly talented; but to say that it is definitely rare to see such a showstopper. It wouldn't surprise me if DUY's presentation launched a following here at a Fashion Week; something to be highly anticipated each and every Season should the iconic Designer choose to continue showing in Toronto. The forms, the gowns, the brilliant shapes, and the ultra-rich fabrics are a testament to a super-luxury that I am desperate to see more out of Canada. It's a beauty that is eternally significant, and designs like these won't be forgotten easily. Congratulations DUY!

All Credit to these amazing photos go to Jesse Milns and BlogTo

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Day 1 at World MasterCard Fashion Week / Bustle Clothing

Bustle was easily the most energetic, exciting, and best Runway presentation of the night! Known for creating Runway shows that are more like Runway performances, Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow presented a Collection that stood apart from the rest of the Fall Season - bright, exuberant prints and motifs, contrasting layers of texture and shape, and a whimsical play on asymmetrical lines and forms.

We absolutely love Bustle, and their showcase last night at World MasterCard Fashion Week only deepened that love. The play on colours and patterns were so bright and bold; it added so much whimsy to a Fall Season that is typically so serious. The vibrant, cranberry reds, the orthogonal blues, and those amazing trench coats - no one makes a man's trench quite like Bustle. The styling was absolutely perfect; brightly layered textures, jackets that had lines that did more than colour-block, but texture-block; accented with sharply cut chino's, slacks, glossy shoes, and boldly contrasting patterned socks (my favourite part!). I could only assume that socks of that awesomeness would have to be Happy Socks, which is a company that Bustle greatly endorses and clearly loves (we do too!).

It was a unique take on the classic man. Sharply cut suits that were sexy, professional, and charming; but evoked powerful femininity in their colour, motifs, patterns, and forms. It was a newer man; and I'm thrilled, and equally unsurprised, to see Bustle take the lead in Toronto for this re-definition of classic masculine style. Energetic, powerful, colourful, whimsical, charming, fantastic - it's all Bustle! Awesome job.

All credit for the amazing photos to George Pimentel and FLARE.

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Day 1 at World MasterCard Fashion Week / Chloé Comme Parris

Opening night at World MasterCard Fashion Week saw iconic, sister-lead Design team, Chloé Comme Parris, return to the tents with an epic Fall 2013 Runway presentation. Embodying an attitude, aesthetic, and feel that was a nod to an unrefined and urban 90's era look; Chloé presented gunmetal graphics, over-sized fits, and schoolgirl stockings re-imagined to a classic soundtrack.

We were enamoured from the very beginning. Strutting out to Nirvana, knits tied around their waists, thigh-length dresses and over-sized moto-jackets; easily adaptable, retro fits. But, I should say, smartly adapted for a modern Fashion era by using mirrored graphics, patterned stockings, shiny shoes, and fantastic, glossy leather! An awesome palette of dark olives, sheer, and black dominated the Runway; while the 90's came out brashly in midriff cut tees, spaghetti-strapped dresses, and brazenly cut coats. I can't really say too much beyond that. Describing the Collection as is is the best I can do; and just saying that I absolutely fell in love with the feel. It felt like looking into the past a little bit, but it was so modern and wearable in today's evolving market. Listening to the music and seeing the girls; sweaters around their waists and braids in their disheveled hair, took me immediately back to Summer in the 90's; just cooler. It was wicked, urban, so hip, and it didn't pretend not to be. It wasn't subtle, but it was unique. A wicked presentation.

Credit for the amazing photos to George Pimentel and FLARE

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World MasterCard Fashion Week / Fall 2013 Collections

World MasterCard Fashion Week is finally here! Starting tomorrow at 5:30 pm, Toronto will be privy to some of the best Fall 2013 Collections by some of Canada's most notable, talented, and iconic Designers. We are expecting a massive turn-out this year as IMG has put together (with the absorption of The Collections) an absolutely killer roster of powerhouse Fashion talent. I couldn't be more pumped for these amazing shows! Fashion Week each year is a pulsating experience; from the clothing to the people to the amazing street style; it's literally a week of pure eye candy and absolute inspiration (well, if you love Fashion as much as I do!). It's also an opportunity for us, the Industry enthusiasts of the city. Connecting with other professionals in this field is the absolute best way to push the envelope of our own passions and keep creating - whether through design, media, marketing, or any other aspect of the industry. It's one of the most precious things Fashion Week has ever given to me; the opportunity to meet people and build creative connections.

That being said, I am beyond thrilled to be representing this very blog, DylanInTheCity, as Media for World MasterCard Fashion Week! So, if you're even remotely interested in up-to-the-second Fashion direct from the runways (as well as any other antics, celebrity sightings, or the best street style going down at the tents!) be sure to stay connected to any one of my major Social Media outlets!

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This year WMCFW is bringing to us over 30 shows from some of our most incredible homegrown Designers; the likes of Sunny Fong of VAWK, Caitlin Power, Rudsak, Pavoni, Lucian Matis, Pink Tartan, and Sid Neigum just to name a few. Join the movement and connect nationwide! See it all happen right before your eyes.

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