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

▲D

Day 1 at World MasterCard Fashion Week / Pink Tartan

Pink Tartan presented their Fall 2013 showcase last night at opening night of World MasterCard Fashion Week right here in Toronto. Presented at almost overflowing capacity, Pink Tartan showcased beautiful florals, 50's-60's era dresses and elements, and brilliantly coloured fur.

Pink Tartan is often praised for their beautiful femininity and classic shapes - this Season the Designer took that even further by adding totally Seasonal retro elements throughout. If it wasn't that 60's-era hair it was that 50's cut dress. Beautifully lined with a modern edge in touches of glossy leather, black leather, and bright power-pigments like Candy Pink, Superman Blue, and that beautiful Olive Green we've been seeing so much of recently; Pink Tartan's aesthetic was classically feminine for the Autumn Season. And, much like Bustle, it was refreshing to see Pink Tartan play with pigments that go beyond the seriousness of Fall Fashion - the bright tones are more reminiscent of what we adopt for Spring; which makes it that much more engaging, that much more bold, for Autumn. A nice touch.

The fur was epic, to say the least. Pink Tartan is known for using fur quite often, but not as often as they did last night. Bright jackets in Deep Browns, Bright Blue's, and Calico Golds dominated the Runway. We especially adored the White fur dotted and striped with beautiful Black lines - it was easily the stand-out piece of the entire Collection. Golds, Silvers, and Greys were a tour-de-force amidst the brightness, and the Chanel-cut tweeds were professional, sharp, and classically 50's. Very nice!

All Credit for the amazing photos go to George Pimentel

▲D

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!

Facebook

Facebook2

Twitter

Instagram

Vine / @TheDylanDias

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.

@WMCFashionWeek

#WMCFW

DylanInTheCity at The ShOws / Fall 2013 with Steven Tai

Steven Tai was perhaps the most surprising and fascinating show to present this year at The ShOws in Toronto. Nothing short of a genius in the creation of his materials and pieces, Tai showcased an aesthetic that was seasonally sound but creatively unique, totally on-point in terms of trend but imaginatively produced, and one of the best showstoppers of both days at The ShOws.

The aesthetic of Steven Tai's Fall 2013 Presentation was fantastic. Huge, over-sized knits that were youthful, obtuse, and so 90's. Boldly geometric blocked colours, a stand-out trend among Designers all over the world this Season; as well as fantastically wide flood pants. The most impressive element of Tai's collection was his amazing use of the most unexpected material - Silicone. In a candid, post-show interview at The ShOws, Tai explained that much of the Silicone he used was meticulously manipulated and molded into shape; creating textures and forms meant to mimic the visuals of traditional fabric. But it goes much beyond that; the Silicone was also hand-treated to become an actual, bendable and sew-able material. The result? Fascinating and bold forms that glistened in bright, plastic hues - lollipop colours of the 90's re-imagined in bold, shiny shapes; adding visually stunning textural elements to some of Tai's most iconic pieces for Fall 2013.

The is another Collection where the pictures simply don't do the quality of the design justice. Some of Tai's garments, particularly the white, woven Moto jacket, were created with an incredible amount of meticulous detail. The hand-work is remarkable, and is a testament to Tai's Design skill; not only visually, but in terms of production. If anything, the entire presentation is a fantastic portrayal of Tai's potential and the amazing levels a Designer of his caliber could take his evolving aesthetic in the future.

All Photos credit to Fashion Magazine

▲D

DylanInTheCity at The ShOws / Fall 2013 with Jean-Pierre Braganza

I had the privilege to attend one of Toronto's most anticipated and exclusive Fashion Events of the Season last week here in the city; The ShOws! A bi-yearly celebration of unique and incomparable Canadian talent; The ShOws is famous for supporting and featuring some of the most sought-after Canadian names to penetrate the International Fashion Market; displaying their Seasonal Designer Collections. The talent level is extremely high, the city is constantly abuzz, and the showrooms are obtusely full! For two days last week we were privy to 5 fantastic shows - Comrags, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Tanya Taylor, Steven Tai, and Jeremy Laing.

One of my favourite Canadian Designers of all time, Jean-Pierre Braganza, was the second to present at The ShOws last week. Featuring an incredible, diverse palette of personally created graphics, orthogonal patterns, and bright, geometric forms; it was easily one of the most impressive presentations this year.

These photos, though beautiful, do not do this Collection justice in the least. Braganza's fabirc was sublime; moving with such softness in the most brilliant forms down that Runway. Over-sized sleeves, hugely bold, blocked patterns in hints of coral, white, and teal; and a display of characteristically-Braganza painted graphics dominated his earthy, monochromatic palette. We were beyond obsessed, even moved, by some of the asymmetrical forms; cut with the hardest lines in sheen, ombré, leather, and navy. Fantastic in almost every sense; powerfully bold from beginning to end and almost too difficult to appreciate through just words alone. The majesty of Braganza takes me again, what an absolute gift to Fashion.

All photo credit goes to Toronto Life

▲D

Olivier Rousteing, Balmain, and the Fierce Metallic / Fall 2013

Ever since the young, brilliant, and mysterious Olivier Rousteing took over the House of Balmain in 2011; the entire aesthetic of Balmain had re-imagined itself in super-luxury opulence; a look more synonymous with that of it's original creator of which Balmain is named.

This Season, at Paris Fashion Week, Rousteing's Fall 2013 Collection for Balmain was no exception to the rule. A sparkling, highly-detailed, exaggerated, and extravagant showcase grounded by heavy forms, rich metallics, and stark shapes; Rousteing's aesthetic boasts a confidence and power equaled only be the era it clearly reflects; the affluent 80's. "More Balmain than Balmain has ever been before..." is a totally accurate sentiment.

We are smitten and inspired by the atmosphere and presence of these incredible clothes; evoking an ideal that moves beyond just the clothing itself. It's identity, it's magnificence, it's gauche, it's gaudy, it's too much, it's over-powered, and it's fabulous. From the glistening satin of the material, to the tightly cinched, belted waists, to the rigidly formed shoulders and geometric coat forms - it's, once again, architectural, iconic, dramatic, and brilliant in almost every visual sense. There is only one type of woman who could wear clothing this powerful, and that, I assure you, is a rare woman of an unparalleled, enigmatic beauty. A showstopping presentation! Bravo, Olivier!

▲D