Toronto’s Fashion Week Opening Night Gala

It’s that time of year again when the fashionable and the who’s who come out to play. That’s right, it’s Toronto’s LG Fashion Week Beauty by L’Oreal Paris.  This year’s theme is “Wear Love Alive” representing fashion as an expression of love, something we should all embrace.* Splendicity is going to be on the scene all week bringing you photos and video from the runway. We’ve been gearing up for this week for a few months now, and we’re excited to see what our Canadian designers are planning for Spring/Summer 2010.

The week kicked off with the Opening Night Gala which was an invite only event that featured two runway shows: 100 years of Beauty by L’Oreal Paris and Stratford Shakespeare Festival “Wear Love Alive”.  Each show was shaped around the talent and expertise of costume designers and it was a perfect fit for L’Oreal’s 100 year anniversary campaign.

More Photos from 100 years of Beauty by L’Oreal Paris and Stratford Shakespeare Festival “Wear Love Alive” after the cut.

I was totally blown away with each decade that glided down the catwalk. The audience shared my enthusiasm as there were several gasps when a new model/decade stepped onto the runway.

The 1930s model represented class, elegance and strength as she posed for the photographers.

It was the 1940s model that really impressed me. The hair blew me away and suddenly I felt like I was born in the wrong decade. The sighs I heard around me proved that I was not alone in thinking this.

As the 1940s turned in the greaser style of the 1950s, the music picked up and the models began to twist.  It felt like a scene out of West Side Story.

The rest of the show went from the 1960s and 1970s all the way to 2010. The audience was blown away and you could tell some of the ladies felt a touch of nostalgia for the eras that once were.

The second show: Stratford Shakespeare Festival “Wear Love Alive” was a collaboration with Stratford, Ontario’s infamous festival that showcases the best of the best Canadian Theatre and Fashion Week. Their slogan: Fashion Meets Festival.

Select designers such as NADA and  David Dixon were asked to design small collections that were inspired by shows featured in the Shakespeare festival. The result: astonishing.

These two shows were both great experiences and were equally inspiring.  It represented beauty through the ages and how theatre  in its own right can embody not only the history of fashion and style but stay in tune with what’s current. It also reminded me that Canada is home to some of the best talent in costume design and fashion. Throughout the week I will showcase these talented designers for you: our fashion forward and splendid readers.

Stay tuned!

*Source: “Wear Love Alive” LG Fashion Week Guide Book – Referencing Robin Kay, President of the FDCC, p. 6