For 26-year-old Matthew Gallagher’s first Fashion Week in Toronto, the designer, who had spent some time training in Milan, decided to stick with the classics.  The looks, which all have rich, fall-ready shades of burgundy, cream and black, aim seem to be inspired by smart, confident women who have a love of elegance. Presented in the studio with models walking in a U-shaped runway, then making their way to a block, the collection also draws a great deal from mid-twentieth century film, especially Alfred Hitchcock.  It is interesting that two designers – Gallagher and Pink Tartan’s Kimberly Newport-Mimran both picked the Hitchcock blonde as the muse.  However, I have to say that Gallagher did a better job in terms of presentation as the silly blonde wigs were completely unnecessary.

Of mostly solids, there is a bit of embellishment in some of the looks, but it is very simple and understated while being still being sexy – definitely a breath of fresh air.  Though the line is probably not for the 20-something, King West party girl, it isn’t aiming at her baby boomer mom, either – the looks are fairly young, elegant and sophisticated – some could even be on the red carpet.  Maybe we’ll see some of the lighter weight pieces at TIFF in September?  Fit-wise, being mostly solids, the pieces look like they can easily be altered to fit shorter figures without throwing proportion off. In fact, I would say that there were very few pieces that would not work on non-model body types. This shows promising talent as there are many designers who don’t seem to “get” anyone who isn’t 5’11” and extremely slim!