DAY 3:
Paria Shivani:
The first of two shows presented by The Collections, this women’s line has a young flare. The orange/tomato red tops and bottoms as well as the gauzey overlay on many of the pieces. Many of the looks are fairly wearable for every day situations, while others are in the “in between” category – ones that are neither appropriate for “regular” casual wear nor are they right for a dressier occasion (the gauze looks come to mind in this case).
Axel Kohler:
Showing immediately after Paria Shivani, this interesting menswear included skorts and maxi skants – it definitely takes a certain type of guy to wear them! The colour scheme, like many other lines for the upcoming season, stayed well within the blacks and whites.
Triarchy:
The BC-based denim line presented in the studio space with a collection for both men and women. Cut-wise, I didn’t notice anything too spectacular about the line – most of the women’s pieces were boot or skinnies and the guys’ pieces were very plain – but the actual patterns on many of the women’s looks definitely stand out. I am in love with a pair of rose-coloured women’s skinnies that look like cut wood.
Mackage:
Lightweight-looking, outerwear pieces for both men and women, ranging from moto-inspired jackets to trenches. The collection, with a colouring range of blacks, whites and olives, consisted, for the most part, of staples, though there were some stand-out pieces, including a tomato red jacket for men and some mixed media looks. Last season, Mackage launched a handbag collection, which was also presented in the show.
Joe Fresh:
The upcoming collection’s colour themes seem to lie around the blues, rosey-oranges and whites, with some patterning. As usual, it’s very wearable (and affordable). Favourites include an asymmetrical/tiger striped white and off-black skirt (though I’m not too sure about the length. It is below the knee to the point that it might not be too petite-friendly) and . One piece that kind of stood out for me was a black, white and floral blouse with matching pants. It looks like something I’ve seen before – perhaps at Pink Tartan.
Menswear lines Klaxon Howl and Christopher Bates also presented on Wednesday.
DAY 4:
Whitney Linen:
Very pretty, lightweight warm weather looks as well as loungewear, for both men and women. A favourite is the pale yellow maxi with teal and dark brown patterns that was also presented in a shorter tunic/above the knee dress and maxi skirt. Darker blues, camels and white were very strong in this collection.
Target:
As Target was one of the sponsors of Fashion Week, this was NOT a spring collection, but of what’s either currently available at Target or coming in the next few weeks. Very cute, fashionable looks that everyone can afford (and not of any specific designer collaborations, either), right in time for the holiday season. Everyone who attended the show received gifts, including a cushion and a snow globe. Target mascot, Bullseye made an appearance at the final walk.
Caitlin Power:
There were many wearable pieces, great for work and going out, ranging from jackets, pencil skirts to cropped tops and pants and dresses. There were, of course, the blacks and whites, but also reds and a greenish gold shade – one of my favourites is a dress that combines this colour with black. Caitlin Power’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection is one that I am very much looking forward to.
Rudsak:
Very wearable, again, with a strong palette of blacks and whites (with some tans thrown in), and a mixture of city and boho chic for women, with both sleek dresses/skirts and pants as well as looser, maxi pieces.
Outerwear line Soia & Kio and Narces also presented on Thursday
Photo Credits: Paria Shivani and Axel Kohler by author; All others by Deborah Lawrence Photography
