The ShOws Day 2 / Jeremy Laing #Spring2013

Closing night at the ShOws saw Canadian-born, design-phenom and all around brilliant guy Jeremy Laing deliver his Spring 2013 Collection. I should also mention that the sheer amount of people at the ShOws seemingly tripled between Azzuolo and Laing within an hour or so; it's easy to see the influence and presence Laing has in the community, and it comes as no surprise. I was lucky enough to snag a seat in a literally over-flowing Runway room! Everyone was in presence - from past models to the Editors and Execs from some of our favourite magazines, to famous bloggers and other brilliant designers, to notable public figures. Everyone wanted a piece of Laing, and I can't blame them, I mean, it's Jeremy Laing. I almost had a heart attack during the Braganza show when he stood beside me! Anyways, let's get to the beauty.

Jeremy Laing's Spring 2013 showcase was a cut-up, silvery embrace of what at first seemed like post-apocalyptic sportswear. Schoolgirl atheltics met with flowing satins, geometrically layered tunics and shorts, and metallic moments like snap button closures and meshed textures. The feel of the Collection became neo-grunge solely because of the baggy fits and flat palette; a clear embrace of deep greys, blacks, dirty whites, and bright, textural gunmetals. It was actually quite cool, and I wished I could see more silvery gunmetal run through the collection as a whole; I thought it added the right amount of visual interest to many of his interesting fabric elements - the vented dresses, geometrically embroidered tops, and crushed satins.

As usual, the pieces embraced a lot of movement for Spring but were meticulously constructed. The geometric elements were extremely bold because they were sharp and immaculate; a testament to Laing's undeniable attention to detail and form. Every line had a purpose; the eye has to travel as Vreeland would say. 

In the end, Jeremy Laing's Spring 2013 Collection at the ShOws was one of the clear showstoppers; met with a grand ovation as it left the Runway. The clothing was high-fashion, high-statement, and yet maintained that youthful, schoolgirl effortlessness that creeps in subtly with soft fabrics, baggy shorts, and that brilliant neo-punk hair. It's almost alternative in a new way, in an expensive way; and fiercely embraces those grunge elements from the 90's in a cool re-interpretation. Happy to be there, ecstatic to see it first. Thank you Jeremy Laing!

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Photos Courtesy BlogTo

The ShOws Day 2 / Antonio Azzuolo #Spring2013

Antonio Azzuolo's Spring presentation at the ShOws this season was, in the essence of a.a., a masterpiece of immaculate tailoring. The stars of the show - his jackets, blazers, and pieced suits - were masculine, crisp, and evoked refreshing class. Playing on a seasonally on-point palette of soft neutrals accented with bursts of pigment here and there, Azzuolo's showcase was an amalgamation of the urban man as well as the professional man - taking into stride the transitions of both, from one to the other, quite literally at times.

Schoolboy Bermudas and crisp knitwear were some of the resort-like staples Azzuolo played on this season. Spring-time whites and creams, accented with bursts of royal hues like red, blue, and pink. Laser cut sport coats and loose slacks were the uptown version of the same aesthetic, taking the boy from the streets to the beach to Madison Avenue. It's actually quite harmonious, and lends itself to a type of man that maintains a certain quality of ease. As a result, in what my at first appear to be a rigid wardrobe is softened with bright knits, casual footwear, over-sized slacks, and cut-off denim.

Antonio Azzuolo's Spring 2013 showcase is a story of an evolving man. Subtle changes to a chic aesthetic bring character and personality to a wardrobe so often disassociated from charm and ease. It's tasteful, organic, and seasonally sound.

Keep it locked for more fantastic spreads on the ShOws 2012! And of course for all the action at World MasterCard Fashion Week starting tomorrow!

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Photos Courtesy BlogTo

The ShOws Day 1 / Jean-Pierre Braganza #Spring2013

Jean-Pierre Braganza's Spring 2013 Collection at the ShOws was, to say the very least, my absolute favourite presentation of the entire showcase. Braganza's Collection was the embodiment of everything I love about Fashion - the boldness and the playfulness with the chic and the trendy. It was a Collection that was composed brilliantly and totally balanced in every way; from the variance of shape to the geometric lines to the monochromatic textures. In short, it was the show of the ShOws.

Sharp edges, graphic, printed textures, and bold blocking were dominant elements of Braganza's Spring 2013 Collection. No stranger to playing with pattern and interesting colour, Braganza's aesthetic is almost space-aged with just the right amount of fierce vigor. The printed pants, the vested leather, and those stunning moments of sequins, turquoise, and tuxedo elements - it's urban, sophisticated, exuberant, and lethal.

Braganza's Spring Collection was my favourite of the ShOws. The Braganza woman is unabashedly confidant with an almost unforgiving essence that's simultaneously sexy, raw, and sharp. Keep it locked for more features on the ShOws as well as World MasterCard Fashion Week starting tomorrow! 

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Photos Courtesy BlogTo

The ShOws Day 1 / Tanya Taylor #Spring2013

The ShOws has come and gone here in Toronto! And has undoubtedly set the tone of an enigmatic and vibrant Fashion Week to come. Taking place earlier this week on the 16th and 17th of October (one week before the Official World MasterCard Fashion Week), the ShOws was a glamorous and bustling celebration of Spring Fashion and rich, Canadian talent. I had the privilege and the honour of attending both dates with some of my best industry friends; we enjoyed wine, complimentary food and products, as well as runway-side seating for some Canada's best design talent. Featuring a fantastic roster that included Tanya Taylor, Jean-Pierre Braganza, Antonio Azzuolo, and Jeremy Laing; the ShOws attracted the beautiful, the influential, and the artistic from every corner of the Fashion market! I was so happy to be a part of it.

Tanya Taylor was the first to show on Tuesday evening. The rising Canadian star presented a Collection that was as bright and colourful as it was soft. Grounded by softened jewel tones and crisp, bright whites; the showcase was feminine, flowing, and seasonally geometric.

Florals, corals, and periwinkle blues accented over-sized pants, belted, swing dresses, and graphic knits. The Collection was casual but also refined, and played on the re-emergence of many classic Spring trends. My personal favourite aspect of the Collection would have to be Taylor's attention to subtle detailing. The shapes and the cuts are all wonderfully silhouetted, but what made it special were the subtle moments and peeks of boldness. The glimmering sequin-style shine that lined every flower and caught the light elevated Taylor's signature floral corset-dress to a very chic level; the same can be said for her beautiful Spring overcoats.

Opening night was a refreshing dive into the feminine hues of Tanya Taylor's Spring 2013 Collection! Keep it locked for more of my thoughts on the rest of the ShOws fantastic presentations!

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Photos Courtesy BlogTo

the shOws / October 16th & 17th / #FashionWeek

Yes! You guessed correctly. I am lucky enough to be attending the shOws this year at the unofficial start of Toronto Fashion Week! 4 incredible shows by 4 incredible, Canadian designers. I couldn't be more excited to have the honour and privilege of seeing some of the best Fashion this country has to offer in one of the most exclusive settings in the city.

The shOws, which is an independently funded and produced Collection of chosen talent; is an annual invite-only event that is meant to encourage, build, and present local Fashion talent in Toronto. And we're not talking about homegrown enthusiasts; we're talking real, developed, industry-powerhouses the likes of the iconic Jeremy Laing and Jean-Pierre Braganza - both mentored by phenoms Alexander McQueen and Karl Lagerfeld respectively - among others.

I'll will be runway side for both dates this year and all 4 designer showcases - including Tanya Taylor, Antonio Azzuolo as well as the aforementioned; live tweeting, taking photos, and hopefully including many of you in the action starting next Tuesday. Join me this year at the shOws!

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