L'Oreal Fashion Week: Fall 2008 - Day Four

All refreshed and revived, I was energized and ready to celebrate the last night at the tents. Paul Hardy showed first. Thankfully, I knew we had front row seats and were escorted personally by the fantastic volunteers, but by the time we got there - someone had taken our names off and were sitting there. With the evidence destroyed, we couldn't prove where we should have been placed, but we were taken care of and gained our rightful spots - just two seats over. Now, I admit I have sat in seats that are not mine before - however, I only do that when everyone is in the runway room and the announcement has been made to "move forward." Seat stealing is not cute. But we focused on what we were there for - the clothes.


Paul Hardy's models, for the most part, came out bottomless - models wore skin-coloured hose with nude granny undies. I'm not sure if that was because he'd forgotten, or just didn't have time to make a bottom. Another thing that baffled me with his collection was the "bibs" as necklaces. But the kicker was the (er, how do I say this delicately?) strategically placed feathers "down there" that looked like someone forgot to shave. Reminded me a bit of this sketch from Smack the Pony. After the show we headed to the Sponsor lounge for some champers at the VIP party hosted by Travel Alberta.

On that topic, I do find it quite bizarre that Travel Alberta happens to be a main sponsor - just under L'Oreal. The province apparently dropped a few hundred thousand dollars to the FDCC. Councillor Shelley Carroll quoted to CityTV, "What it says to me is there are provinces in this country that understand that this is not just culture, it's not just fun. It's pure economic development." Good point. Ontario: time to dig in those pockets and support our local designers. If they make money - we all make money.

Rudsak has really nice coats, but each season I know each show tends to drag. There are only so many coats and bags you can look at. Look - a coat. Look - a bag. Look - a coat and a bag... (You get my drift.)

Actor and fashion lover, Amanda Brugel front row at Rudsak.

After Rudsak we headed to the bar to grab a glass of wine where we discovered that the $12 cans of Prosecco went down to $10, while house wine went from $6.50 to $10 a glass!!! So, I went with the Prosecco, but being the lady that I am (cough, cough...) I asked for it in a wine glass. Who drinks bubbly with a straw anyway?

Kimberly Newport-Mimran's label, Pink Tartan closed the night and the week showing a more rock and roll side with models wearing Doc Marten's and biker gloves made specifically for the show by fashion stylist, Juliana Schavinatto. The actually clothing was typical Mrs. Mimran - classic, wearable with a hint of mod.

Lucian Matis and fashion stylist, Peter Papapetrou

Then it was off to celebrate Zink Magazine's Canadian launch at the Spoke Club. The venue was packed, tossing the fashion crowd in with the private club's members. The magazine has some great Canadian content - articles on designers, editorials, and profiles. Lucian Matis is one of the first advertisers and fashion stylist Peter Papapetrou is profiled in the magazine. (Both pictured above.) I drank just a little too much wine to make it to the Drake for Monica Schnarre's DJ debut and fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity.

My liver is going on an extended vacation and my feet have quit on me, but I know it was all worth it for Canadian fashion - and we do have talent!