Sadly this season of Ottawa Fashion Week has come to an end. We went out with a bang with some stellar shows, including our charity fashion show replete with star power. Read on to see what you missed and relive the amazing last day of Ottawa Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2012.
Serendipity by Kelsey McIntyre
Hailing from Alberta, designer Kelsey McIntyre returned to OFW to show the latest collection of her label, Serendipity. The collection epitomized McIntyre’s signature vintage chic style. The flirty skirts with chiffon overlays that dominated the collection were reminiscent of ballet skirts and appeared in deep teal, vintage pink and mustard. Cinched waists and bold buttons added detail to McIntyre’s creations. A full-length white gown ended the show, a tribute to McIntyre’s first design love, wedding dresses. The collection was unapologetically feminine and wearable.
loft 604
Next up was loft 604, a Toronto menswear brand designed by Willie Fung. The relaxed collection was full of detail; refined but casual cardigans and pullovers were paired with dark, well-tailored jeans. The sweaters were all made in cool browns, greys, black, and cream. The sophisticated nature of the sweaters derived from diamond pattern and cable knits, toggle buttons, and elbow patches. This season loft 604 also showed two womenswear pieces that echoed their male counterparts in grace and style. One female model wore a grey kimono-style cardigan with a rope belt while the other wore a casual cream pullover. The collection left us yearning for the relaxed European lifestyle that inspires loft 604.
Ella Peru
Ending the first segment of yesterday’s shows was Ottawa designer Su-Hui Chu with her line Ella Peru. The Autumn/Winter 2012 collection, entitled “Euclid and Ulster,” pays homage to the Victorian neighbourhood in Toronto. Chu used browns, peaches, forest greens, beige, and plum in her bold creations. The collection was reminiscent of a 1920s circus; models’ hair was in a deep wave tease and crimson lips complemented the feminine designs. Wedge shoes were provided by Urban Outfitters to complete the looks. Shapely dresses, fur caps, high-waisted shorts, and colourful nylons added an essence of funk to this edgy collection.
An electric performance by Camp Fortune led us through the first break of the evening with remixes that made every guest want to dance. Meanwhile, loft 604 models handed out free earbuds in the marketplace.
Helmer
The show opened with a pair of flowing white and black plaid pants and a grey asymmetrical blazer. This was just a sample of the patterns and textures to come, which included more plaid, miniature polka dots, feathers, ruffles, elaborate beading, rosettes, and metal embellishments. Joseph infused his collection with drama using sensual reds, hot pink, white, black, vibrant blues and gold. Designs ranged from wide leg pants, elegant evening gowns, and fitted blazers to dramatic, avant-garde statement pieces, including one look that sounded like wind chimes as the model glided down the runway. Mostly set to tango music, the show closed with a live bagpipes performance while a bride and bride walked down the runway, and the audience sat in awe.
Symbiose by Hinda A.
Returning designer Hinda A. showed her newest collection of her label Symbiose, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. The collection proved to be an interesting marriage between edgy designs and traditional workwear. Hinda A. added subtle detail to minimalist designs using sequins, gold accents, and sheer and velvet fabrics. The few prints used updated neutral fabrics with bold filigree. Cigarette pants, feminine blouses, and sheath dresses dominated the collection, whose mainly neutral colour palette popped with occasional jewel-toned pieces. This Autumn/Winter 2012 collection reminded us why we love Symbiose.
Sukhoo Sukhoo
Ottawa designer Frank Sukhoo showed off an astounding collection of his label, Sukhoo Sukhoo Couture, before the final break of the evening. Awe-inspiring designs dazzled us in electrifying pinks, blacks, browns, and tangerine. Styled with big, teased updos, shadowy makeup and black lips, models strutted down the catwalk in delicate silk pinstripe and sexy animal print dresses. Capes and two-piece skirt suits were another recurring them in the Sukhoo Sukhoo show, set to electro-dance music. Bright sequins were contrasted by dark sheer ensembles and feather accents while the collection boasted an eclectic mix of pieces, beautifully displaying the incredible range of Sukhoo’s talent.
After the show the backstage area was buzzing with excited voices celebrating the success of the individual designers’ shows and getting pumped up for the Ottawa Fashion Week UNICEF charity fashion show. Meanwhile Sound of Lions entertained the rest of the crowd with a creamy acoustic set performed by band members Whitney Delion and Will Assaad.
UNICEF Charity Show
Attendees packed the runway room for the final show of the Ottawa Fashion Week A/W 2012 season. It was a bittersweet mood in the room as guests lamenting the end of OFW mixed with an air of excitement as we prepared to watch the OFW UNICEF charity show, Runway for a Better Way. Designers Rachel Sin, Turbine, DeMOYO, Sukhoo Sukhoo, and MMCrystal jewellery provided the ensembles worn by our celebrity models. Solange Tuyishime, an ambassador for UNICEF, began the show by sharing her experience of living in a refugee camp as child and thanking UNICEF for helping her when no one else would. The celebrity models were guided onto the runway by members of the University of Ottawa GGs Men’s Basketball team, dressed in loft 604. Actress Gabrielle Miller, Rosie Edeh of ET Canada, Casie Stewart, and singer Cory Lee wore designs by Rachel Sin. Lianne Liang of CTV Morning Live Ottawa and ballroom dancer TL Rader and Leesa Bulter wore cocktail numbersby Turbine. Tré Armstrong of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Olympic silver medalist Elizabeth Manley, Gail McInnes of TDot TV, model Helena-Alexis Seymour, and Solange from UNICEF wore designs from DeMOYO’s A/W 12 collection. Finally, Erika Wark of CBC’s Steven and Chris donned sequins à la Sukhoo Sukhoo Couture. After the show, Cory Lee premiered her new song “Fashion Show” with an energetic performance on the runway that left guests humming the tune. Ten dollars from each Sunday ticket and each weekend pass went to support UNICEF Canada.
This season of OFW finished with a relaxed wrap party at the Shore Club at the Westin. Guests mingled, ate, drank, and laughed to end what was definitely our best season so far. We hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage of OFW. Until next season.
^Caresse Ley
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