For World MasterCard Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2015, Vv Magazine’s fashion editor Philip Mak will be giving his daily doling of sartorial sass straight from the catwalks of David Pecaut Square. Like we’d have it any other way, right? Tune in for his take on the Good, the Bad, and the Meh of World MasterCard Fashion Week 2015.
Everyone knows that old adage, “One tequila… two tequila… three tequila… floor.” Or was it just a shirt I saw at Urban Outfitters? Either way, the same applies to World MasterCard Fashion Week. When you’re going to nearly every show, by the fourth day you can feel the labour in “labour of love.” Why am I telling you this? Because society often treats fashion as a glamorous, frivolous endeavour. In actuality, it is hard work; a fabulous illusion built on an industry of blood, sweat, and tears (and maybe a little bit of Grey Goose).
If the fashion community continues to allow the general public to think that all we do is make pretty dresses and party with models, they will carry on treating us as an unnecessary luxury. This perception is then reflected in government funding, or rather lack thereof. There’s a reason why World MasterCard Fashion Week and Vancouver Fashion Week are the only two major presentations left standing in Canada. There’s a reason why Toronto designers like David Dixon, who celebrated his 20th anniversary show on Tuesday, are so rare. There’s a reason why most Canadians cannot name more than three home-grown fashion brands off the top of their head. We need to change the rhetoric because the tents at David Pecaut Square are holding on by the skin of their teeth. From international prestige to economic growth to tourism to cultural advancement, we need to espouse the benefits of World MasterCard Fashion Week or we risk losing it. And that’s my rant for the day.
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Back to fashion being fun. Hilary MacMillan presented a Mexican Day of the Dead-inspired collection, featuring a liberal use of black leather, accented with punchy flashes of vibrant red and off-white ensembles. Her collection felt very on-trend, with plenty of fun fur and some deliciously chic culottes. All of her pieces are made in Toronto from real leather – many of which from deer leather. Deer leather is a heavier, softer, luxurious alternative to cowhide that holds its structure better. To top it all off, MacMillan had a live band of Leah Canali and the St Royals performing Fifty Shades of Grey-esque covers of Beyonce and Sia.
Farley Chatto’s pre-revolution Russia-inspired collection was a lot of fur. Like, the whole zoo. Sorry, PETA. Inspired by Russia’s last monarch, Czar Nicholas, the furrier played to his strengths with dramatic full-length coats, opulent princess-worthy gowns, and era-appropriate props like bread and bundles of sticks. “Shirtless men wearing fur carrying wood” certainly does sound like a dark corner of the Internet. Toronto modelling legends Stacey McKenzie and Paul Mason also both walked in the show, which is always a nice touch.
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Rudsak always presents a strong collection. Their accessories game is cut-throat, from pillow-shaped fur purses to Cote et Ciel-esque rucksacks, everything was highly covetable. Furthermore, the dramatically long scarves sported by the male models are going to be sell-out items for fall/winter 2015.
The Good: Hilary MacMillan’s standing-room-only studio show. It was intimate enough that you could see the clothing’s details but felt grand with the presence of the live band. Also, that Crazy in Love cover was on-point.
The Bad: Farley Chatto‘s furs were beautiful and decadent, however the Russian peasant-themed dresses and scarves, particularly paired with the bread prop, did feely a little costume-y.
The Meh: While I am lusting after their accessories, Rudsak‘s apparel didn’t feel as strong. That said, their cropped puffer vest was our favourite piece of the day.
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Trends: Black leather, fur sleeves on outerwear, all-black-everything, off-white, culottes, puffer jackets, bread.
What were your thoughts on Day 4 of World MasterCard Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2015? Let us know in the comments section below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
