TORONTO - From beads to brassy belt buckles, eye-popping crystals and textured trims, the accents and embellishments colouring the designs on Day 2 of Toronto's World MasterCard Fashion Week Tuesday helped elevate everyday looks with a taste of the unexpected.
The 1960s was also a prime source of inspiration as several designers put their own modern spin on the definitive style era.
Matis by Lucian Matis: Lucian Matis brought his taste for luxury and attention to eye-popping details from his signature collection to his Matis line. But the infusion of colourful patterned geometric shapes and prints into wardrobe staples were the standouts.
The Toronto-based designer showcased his affordable collection of basics for the career women distinguishable by their multi-coloured patterns fashioned on everything form wrap-front dresses and slim-fit sheaths. The line also featured a range of feminine separates, including ruffle front blouses, wool minis, lace sheaths, slender trousers and colour-blocked dresses.
For those seeking a more glam look for evening, Matis didn't disappoint with flirty cocktail numbers with beaded bustlines alongside a second-skin creation boasting a plunging neckline and high slit for the more adventurous fashionista.
Lundstrom Collection: With models swathed in shimmering crystals and clutching steadfastly to fur stoles encircling their shoulders, Lundstrom Collection channelled high society glam with its ladylike looks.
For fans of the stylish 60s-era drama "Mad Men," one couldn't help but conjure visions of Betty Draper with the bob-sporting catwalkers adorned in luxurious cocoon and pea coats, lush capes and pretty, patterned pencil skirts.
The collection was an homage to the upper crust chic with its expansive range of separates: tie fronts adorning cotton blouses and charmeuse tops; sleek textured skirts in knit and tweed as well as slim-fit ankle pants and flared trousers. A glimmering crystal-encrusted brooch, pin, button and black satin sash -- often in combination -- accented virtually every look.
Towards the end of the presentation, the direction veered away from menswear-inspired touches to full-on feminine glamour gowns, closing out with a selection of voluminous navy numbers with gathered skirts featuring satin striping and vintage lace.
Soia & Kyo: Soia & Kyo demonstrates that style needn't fall by the wayside while bundling up in chillier conditions.
The Montreal-based label helmed by designer Ilan Elfassy sought to dial up the chic with its outerwear offerings, and in the process, seeking to distinguish the woollen coats, leather jackets and voluminous parkas that typically colour the style landscape during the cooler months.
Models sporting furry trapper hats and toting bundled blankets and even logs down the runway were the ideal accompaniments to the stylish succession of sleek jackets featured, bathed in a largely neutral palette of camel, sand, khaki, mocha, charcoal grey and black with vibrant pops of mustard and red.
The embellishments on coats were put to subtle yet effective use, from brassy gold-accented buckles and to the fur trim and shearling encircling hoods and lining collars that have become outerwear mainstays. There were a number of dual-contrast looks such as leather elbow patches and slick quilted sleeves on wool coats.
Martin Lim: Martin Lim is sticking to the formula that brought the emerging Montreal-based label to the homegrown fashion forefront last season.
Husband-and-wife designing duo Danielle Martin and Pao Lim were the inaugural winners of the Mercedes-Benz Start Up program for up-and-coming Canadian designers last fall.
The fall-winter collection featured Tuesday showcased strikingly similar elements from their award-winning range unveiled last season.
With a nod to '60s-era style, feminine, colour-blocked creations were again prominent, most notably on shift-style dresses and sheaths rich in contrasting and complimentary hues, including lilac, pink, black and ivory.
There was precision with draped detailing, pleating and tucking which punctuated and defined cascading tanks and dresses.
Among myriad feminine creations accented with rippling ribbons and pleats with black piping, there was an ample taste of the unconventional with square cut-outs on jackets and dress hems.
Richly textured jackets reminiscent of brocade with shimmering gold accents and colourful patterns offered an unexpected touch of luxury.
Chloe comme Parris: The study in contrasts that has been central to collections from Chloe comme Parris again formed the core of the label's fall-winter range.
Steeped in a largely muted colour palette of olive, tan, mocha and khaki, the latest from sisters Chloe and Parris Gordon married flowing, feminine frocks, tailored separates and rugged jackets with signature hardware accents adding shimmer and texture.
From cosy cable knits to draped-back floral print dresses, breezy pleated skirts and rippling dual-tone caftans, there was a fair share of designs for those with a more romantic style sensibility. Menswear-inspired outerwear and fitted blazers featured collars and epaulettes, with leather trim, buckles and exposed zippers among the value-added touches.
But it was hard to miss the bold, brassy accents that permeated the line, with studs, buttons and other eye-popping embellishments affixed on shirt fronts, sleeves and pants.
Sid Neigum: As sunlight streamed into the studio space, Sid Neigum delivered an ample dose of darkness to the stark white surroundings, showcasing his androgynous, monochromatic separates.
The Edmonton-based designer's range for fall featured a largely slender silhouette in his structured designs with slim-fit cable-knit sweaters, henley shirts, mock-neck turtlenecks and harem-style pants in the mix.
But in a collection awash in basic black with splashes of white and taupe, it was the more subtle embellishments that served to distinguish the look.
The outerwear offerings were the strengths in the collection, with fitted waist-length leather jackets, overcoats and varsity-style jackets boasting subtle yet standout details, such as asymmetrical hems, oversized draped collars and leather braided ties on sleeves.
Day 2 also featured presentations from Adrian Wu and Laura Siegel.
Fashion Week continues until Friday.
