Toronto Fashion week kicked off tonight with three shows from haute retailer Holt Renfrew, Pink Tartan and Pavoni.
There isn’t much to say for the Holt Renfrew show. The department store is celebrating 175 years, but overlooked the opportunity to showcase vintage collections or a style narrative, and opted to hawk a compilation of high-end designers stocked in their store. While I love a geometric Prada suit or Lanvin dress, it was just a mismatched assembly of what’s trendy and what’s in store. A moving advertisement if you will.
I found it so funny that they even showcased Canada Goose in the show…I love the way they styled it though, it’s almost not douchey. Well almost. I don’t understand how it can be cold enough to wear a heavy-duty goose down coat, but warm enough to wear stiletto pumps with no nylons.
Some of my favourite looks included this Wayne Clark gown and fur jacket. There were protesters outside the show, with “Fur is dead” signs and handing out flyers. As long as it’s made in Canada or Europe, I’m an unapologetic supporter.
I must love white evening dresses (ironically, I bought one this weekend at a sample sale), but this Tom Ford number is elegant and timeless.
Another standout evening gown was this black Spanish lace number from Pavoni (available at Holt Renfrew), who also showed an evening collection later in the evening.
The standout for me, however was this geometric Celine coat. I’ve been coveting the man-repelling topper ever since seeing it on the runways last season. It’s incredible to see high-end clothes like these move down the catwalk. The construction and design is impeccable.
A medley of styles and designers, unified by one retailer… the inimitable Holt Renfrew. A niche retailer that’s always brought coveted luxury to Canadian customers. But with such a rich history, I’m sad they didn’t take the opportunity to present a reminiscent curation down the catwalk.