Another Fashion Week is over!  Over all, it was another amazing week, featuring many old favourites, such as Pink Tartan, David Dixon and more.  There were also some rebranded lines, such as Beaufille (formerly known as Chloé comme parris) and Mikael D (Pavoni).  So now that WMCFW is over for the season, I am presenting my usual list of my favourites, not-so-favourites and outright dislikes:

YAYS:

Mikael D’s “November Rain” inspired dress:

Okay, so it’s not QUITE the “November Rain” wedding gown, but it certainly reminds me of the dress!  It’s updated for 2013, of course, and definitely more sophisticated (opposed to the rocker bride look in the video), especially in the detailing of the train.  Too bad I’m already married and too short (I doubt anyone Olsen Twin sized can pull this off).

 

Fashion Saturday:

This is an AMAZING idea!  Not everyone is able to go to all (or even any of) the shows, so it’s great for people to see the best looks presented during the week.  The pop-up shop, featuring designers who showed during the week as well as others was an amazing addition as well.

TFI Press & Buyers’ Brunch:

This was my second time attending the brunch and it was a great way for designers not presenting (and those who were) to speak with media face-to-face, without the pressure of backstage.  I was able to speak with almost everyone, and have even booked interviews with some designers (but still need to get back to others).   There were a few discoveries (e.g. the Ebby Rane suitcase/travel system, above) and also some old favourites (AIME for one).   Looking forward to seeing many of these pieces in stores next year.  The food was, once again, delicious (pancakes!!!).

Studio:

Lighting was good this season, but I think I’m sensing a pattern.  Last season, the entire space was pitch black, making it harder for photographers in the pit to shoot good pictures due to the lighting.  The season before that, the room was white, as was this season.  So does this mean that we should expect a dark space for the March shows?

 

MEHS:

 

Triarchy:

Designers and models at Triarchy

I love my denim as much as everyone else, but since jeans can’t really be TOO innovative, especially in terms of cut, it would have been nice if the presentation at the studio was a bit more…creative.  They had an amazing first season for their Fall 2012 collections, where they opened with half-dressed models picking jeans from a pile and putting them on.  For their Spring 2013 collection, presented last year, the show opened with two guys pulling a rope and a girl wearing a maxi skirt, which she would later take off to reveal a pair of shorts.  For Spring 2014, it was just…an opening – nothing too memorable.  Sorry, but I expected a bit more from them.  Oh well, at least there are several pairs that are on my wishlist.  Just wish that Triarchy made shorter inseams/petite sizes so I wouldn’t have to stick to skinnies.

 

The Lack of Colour, In General:

Many designers seem to be heavy on the black and white, with only pops of colour here and there.  It’s spring/summer, not fall/winter!  I love the looks, for the most part, but the lack of colour, especially warm weather shades just makes things look more fall/winter than spring/summer.  #justsayin

 

NAYS:

 

Thomas Bálint:

Two of the looks at Thomas BálintPretty much every look was completely in black (save for one or two).  I shot the show from the pit, so I had a great view of the entire show.  However, after the third look, everything began to look the same.  I kept thinking to myself…when will this be over?  I understand that the line is supposed to be artistic, but the fact that everything was one colour and the models all had completely expressionless faces doesn’t seem to make the line attractive at all.  I’m not sure if I would pick anything if I were a buyer.

Food Choices for Media:

Okay, so there were sandwiches and other refreshments at the cafe (expensive for what they were at around $9 per sandwich and $4 for a not-so-large cup of coffee) and the food court wasn’t too far away, but it would have been nice if media had SOMETHING in the lounge to nibble on.  Fruit, maybe or even the good ol’ Fashion Media Diet consisting of bad carbs, bad carbs and MORE bad carbs would have been okay.  I guess we were very spoiled back last year at the Spring 2013 shows when Target sponsored the media space and there were sandwiches and crudités all week.  At least Gourmet B1tches showed up with their food truck on Thursday!  Mmmmmm, fish tacos….

So there you have it!  The Yays, Mehs and Nays of the Spring 2014 shows.  Looking forward to March and the Fall 2014 looks.

 

Image credits: Mikael D and Triarchy photos by Deborah Lawrence Photography; all other images by author