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A torrential downpour heralded the
coming of spring — or spring fash-
ion as it were -—— mid-October in
Toronto at the Matinée Fashion
Ready-to-Wear.

The ovo-day event was a preview for media
and buyers of Canadian designer collections
for the spring/surnmer 2000 seasen. Featured
were 16 shows, including 2 New J abels group
for younger designers.

‘The shows were held this vear in Toronto's
rony Yorkville shopping district in a white
pavilion known as The Tent, creeted in a park-
ing lot just steps from the gilded storefronts of
Chanei, Louis Vuitton and Versace.

Most of the designers who showed offered

es: micro-minis, skinny
tube tops,

garden ” moaned another, adding sarcas-
tically, “ind ? gp to 2 kot of those.”
There criticisms that some of the lines

igner izbel Ron et Normand
showed beautifully seamed bodices and floor-
sweeping Montreal designer Marie
Saint Pierre's richly dyed exquisite sik wrap
blouses and calflength peasant skirts had a
sculptural ity. Vancouver designer Feizal
Virani played pri etty pink calico prints against
graphic white eth black floral embroidery in
sexy summer pieces that included waist: tied fit-
ted shirts, short skirts and capri pants.

Olena Zylak, winner of the New Designer of
the Year Award for the second year in a row,
pleased the crowd with her well-edited collec-
tion of green ard veliow knitwear. Among the
best of her clingy pieces was a bandeau

apron or scarf cop, a siver of fabric held on by a
double sow of strings tied in the back.
Much more wearable, however, were Mario
Serrani’s raffia knit tunics and sarong skirts.
Pertect for west coast wear was Hilary Radley’:

brighe yellow sicher with seloped cor and

er cture and detailing were important.
Sheesing, ruching and beading added interest
to si gaimnents. Elastic was another promi-
nent as designers favoured clasticized or
undergathered hems, sleeves, collars and seams.

In terms of colour, green was a favourite
among desi; . Clear blue, blood red and
choral punched up a chalky palette of beiges
and greys.

Mintcucci caused fashion editors a Hashback
when she brought out an ’80s favourite, fuch-
sia. Dallas loves it, said the designer, who
showed the shade head to toc. Like many of the
dest ers showing at the Matinge Fashion

“to-Wear, she sells’a sizable chunk of her
collection to retailers in the United States.

For the most part, however, designers took
few risks. After a string of sedate shows, fashion
editors were in need ofa little fin de sitcle trivo-
lity, which veteran Toronto designer Pat
McDonagh was pleased to provide.

MeDonagh paraded out powd
skin with little-girl details, clashing z
*30s florals, shocking ink prints inspire
Coctcau's *30s-era designs tor Schiaparelli, pure
white linens and pastel gilded brocades and
Jaces inspired by 17cbh century figurines.

Ry evening, “editors welcomed the opportu-
nity to venture inte the stormy night to take in
media darling Crystal Siemens? off-site show.
The Toronte designer showed in the decaying
Crystal Ballroom, overlooking the city from the
17th floor above the refined King Edward

The taded beauty of the site per

-t Siemens’ clever clothes, shown in an
urban palette of putty, chalk and tar mixed with
muted metallics of brushed gold, aluminum
and platinum.

Sunday, October 31. 1999 -- Nonh Shore News ~ 19

noch shore news

“Bisiion

FUCHSIA FLASHBACK... chunky-knit
of-the-shouider sweater and knee-

TUBE TIED... White viscose-knit criss-
cross bandeau top and blue stretch
linen ilare pant, Franco Mirabeili.

photos Matinée Fashion News Bureau

LONG AND LEAN... Lingerie-strap dress in pafe pink over blood-orange capri at

Virani.

HANDKERCHIEF HEMS... Breezy, dou-
ble-layered dress in crinkle fabric at
Ron et Normand.

RED ANS RUCHED... Crimson jersey
ruched top and front-stit bias skirt,
Franco Mirabelli.