Day three got up and running with Matis, the secondary line from designer Lucian Matis. Shown in the studio space, the collection began on a strong note with a floor-length stunner done in a multihued floral pattern on a white backdrop.
Looks progressed into peplumed numbers with spider lace acting as an accent. A coral peplum top paired with a slim pant was a standout, although it didn’t fit quite as snugly as we would have liked. Overall there were a number of winning looks, but when a lower-priced line is print-heavy, we feel like it’s being done to mask subpar fabrics.
The same cannot be said for the designer’s namesake line, Lucian Matis. We spotted Zaib Shaikh with Kirstine Stewart, artist Andrea Bolley and Suzanne Rogers — resplendent in Prada — taking in the show, along with plenty of attendees in a certain H&M floral. Investing in more prints, Matis drew inspiration from Morocco this time around. Many of the garments were done in a blown-up tile print, which took on a kaleidoscopic quality. More peplums were noted, but volume also made its way into shoulders and into boxier jackets. We loved a look matching a printed pant with a bustier and blazer, while a series of mock-croc looks done in sheer plastic were both futuristic and feminine. Again, fit seemed to be a bit of an issue, but overall the collection was beautifully done and the crowd went wild during Matis’s bow.
Although Korhani Home does not qualify as a fashion label, the home and décor company does put on a good show, which would explain the number of attendees, each of whom was presented with a large gingerbread cookie (Suzanne Rogers and Glenn Dixon dug in immediately). Models made their way down the runway, strapped into carpets that had been whittled into lingerie, flapper dresses, boxy jackets and a series of Frida Kahlo-worthy looks, which came complete with a live parrot. Orthinophobes winced, but everyone else oohed and aahed over the stunning specimen.
Korhani Home
Mackage was strong from start to finish, drawing the likes of Stacey McKenzie in straight-off-the-runway Evan Biddell, an impeccably dressed Sarah Magwood and Matt Austin Sadowski (his wife and PR maven Debra Goldblatt-Sadowski ran around tying up loose ends). The Montreal-based leather line paraded out endless covetable looks for leather aficionados. A dusky rose trench with contrasting black sleeves was a great women’s look, as was a minty green jacket with an overextended collar. For men, we loved the leather shorts and the button downs with leather collars and plackets. All in all, there was something for everyone.
The grand finale of the night was Joe Fresh. Always a hot ticket, this time around was no different, with attendees squeezing themselves into every last corner of the room. Liz Cabral, Lisa Tant, the Nugents and Bruce C. Bailey all made their way to the front row, although Bruce removed his ostentatious hat — complete with a feather — allowing those sitting further back to catch a glimpse of the runway action. Kimberley Newport-Mimran sat grinning throughout the entirety of the show.
Unsurprisingly, the collection was inspired by the Mimran’s favourite decade: the ’60s. A black and white montage opened the show before legendary model Pat Cleveland sashayed down the runway in diamond checkers with attitude for miles. The black and white bombardment continued, with various interpretations done in graphic prints. With 42 looks in total, the collection was far more extensive than your usual one, progressing into retro looks in blue, silver and white combos and ending on a golden note. Much of it played off Pink Tartan’s collection from earlier in the week. The best looks were a men’s thin black and white checkered suit, a matching capelet and high-waisted pencil skirt and a silver and gold laser-cut dress.
Joe Fresh
And with that, the day was done.
Up next: Rachel Sin and Arthur Mendonça