Fashion is only art if you don't know how to use it. We break down some of the highlights of Toronto's FashionWeek Fall 2009:

Zoran Dobric

The Inspiration: The Serbian-born designer’s latest collection was inspired by the art of Gustav Klimt, electronica, and rap music.

The Collection: The clothing is architectural, structural and geometric. The colour palette is predominately black and gray, with pops of pink and purple in his 60’s inspired dresses.

From Runway to Real Life: To recreate Dobric’s look at home, look for clothing with geometric prints and strong silhouettes. Invest in jackets with wide lapels, and shift dresses with interesting patterns.



Joeffer Caoc

The Inspiration: The 21st century superwoman

The Collection: The focus is on the shoulder, whether through a strong silhouette and nipped-waist, or asymmetrical draping. The colour palette is predominately black, with shots of shiny metallics and two attention-grabbing red dresses. The collection features a myriad of new ways to wear your sleeves, whether they are sheer, puffed, or multi-layered.

From Runway to Real Life: Take black from basic to bold with textured outerwear. Look for one-shouldered dresses, and form fitting separates.

Andy The-Anh

The Inspiration: The Female Form

The Collection: The-Anh’s Fall 2009 collection focuses on the classic female silhouette. Dresses and separates are cinched at the waist, and tailoring is sleek and feminine. My favourite piece in the collection is an ivory oversized blazer, that transitions between office appropriate and evening wear

From Runway to Real Life: Accessorize with a wide black leather belt and chunky cuff bracelets. Wear a work-appropriate pencil skirt with a ruffled front blouse. Glam up your evening wear with a faux-fur shawl.

Pink Tartan

The Inspiration: 80’s Glam meets Men’s Tailoring

The Collection: Models strutted down the runway in skinny leather pants, hot-pink lace tights and tailored blazers. The 80’s glam was topped off with dramatic fur outerwear. The colour palette is black with shots of hot pink.

From Runway to Real Life: If you can’t do hot-pink hosiery, buy a pair of black lace tights, and wear them with everything from A-line coats to mini dresses and skirts to your favourite boyfriend blazer.

Joe Fresh Style

The Inspiration: Canadian Winters

The Collection: Winter coats reminiscent of Great North sleeping bags and knit wear galore, this collection was a nod to Canadiana. Knee-high socks and long gloves will be the coveted accessories from this collection. Model Irina Lazareanu ended the collection in a snow-white puff skirt and knee-highs – a highlight of Fashionweek to be certain.

From Runway to Real Life: Who are we kidding, this collection is Real Life ready! Take these items straight from the runway to the skating rink or ski chalet, with the exception perhaps of the knitwear onesie.

Carlie Wong

The Inspiration: Gangster meets Glamour

The Collection: Wong’s designers are always an intersection of gangster and glamour, and this latest collection held true to form. Models were draped in metallic dresses, necklines were plunging and gold glam was front and centre.

From Runway to Real Life: Break out the black pencil skirt, and pair it with anything from shimmery tank tops to sleeveless blazers. If you have every wondered when you can revive those large gold hoops of yours, now is the time. Along with any other gold accessories you have for that matter.

Evan Biddell

The Inspiration: Rock and roll of the future

The Collection: Biddell describes his clothes as “loud and clean—clothes that get noticed,” and his Fall 2009 collection was no exception. Models looked tough in leather jackets with exposed zippers, and hooded dresses. Oversized knit scarfs featured heavily, added some soft texture to an otherwise hard and edgy collection. The models jumped straight off the pages of a futuristic graphic novel, in superhero-esque pleated mini dresses.

From Runway to Real Life: You can buy the scarf, but that alone doesn’t scream “Biddell”, so toughen it up with leather dark makeup.

Lucian Matis

The Inspiration: Creatures of the Forest

The Collection: The clothing was soft and delicate. The colour palette inspired by natural, and warm rich tones. Models were adorned in animal pelts and antlers, and hair was soft yet wild. Matis does pretty extremely well, and his Fall line featured unique and dramatics pieces, all with the commonality of sensuality and fine attention to detail.

From Runway to Real Life: Wear flowing sheer blouses with high-waisted pencil skirts. Leave the antlers out of the ensemble, but do finish off your look with a wilderness-inspired statement necklace.

by Heather Loney