Your Couture Wedding at Francesca Guzzo and Whyte & Jaclyn Whyte

Written by Treasure Seeker Colleen

Francesca Guzzo has been designing since she was 18.  She interviews first, then sketches, selects fabric and fits.  The store is a gallery of pinks and whites, satin and lace and beautiful photos, jewelry, comfortable chairs, fancy coffees and winding stairs.  Every room is a vision and you  know that everything is going to turn out just right. It might be the lighting or the vintage mirrors but when you try on your dress, you feel tall and elegant!  She was able to adjust two vintage dresses and update them with one of a kind, eye catching belts.  Dressed in classic black, she has pins and needles in her lapels and a tape measure with her wherever she goes.  She has that fabulous eye for length, style and extra accessories.  Although she is very busy, she makes time and gets it all done and the next appointment scheduled now.  She has pictures of her daughter's gorgeous dress, which she designed and made and of the showers she catered and showcased.  I am hoping for a couple of signed sketches that I will have framed for my daughter's special day.  If you are looking for fabulous, you will definitely find it at Whyte Couture.

A Special Duet From Ballet Jorgen Canada

Written by Treasure Seeker Colleen

On Wednesday, Oct. 18th, after a day at Toronto Fashion Week, we were treated to an inspiring duet by renowned dancers, and a great introduction to the dance and the company, Ballet Jorgen Canada, by Bengt Jorgen, current Director and Choreographer.  In a very tiny empty space, the dancers provided light, shape, movement, story and style. Strength, control, passion were at the forefront, while graceful, silent steps, jumps, turns and embraces brought the dance from the centre of the floor right to the audience.  So drawn into the movement, we felt invited to join them, maybe even becoming part of a photograph of all of us in our street clothes, not tutus, and being welcomed for our variety of shapes and sizes.  Jorgen says that this company is "...not about putting art on a pedestal", and that he and the dancers want their work to reflect what the community looks like. This is a company that performs more than any other Canadian Ballet Company, bringing more than 120 performances a year to urban and rural communities all across the country.  In addition to 4 feature ballets this season: A World to Shake, The Nutcracker, Anastasia and Classical and Contemporary Ballets, it offers, in partnership with George Brown University, programs to train younger dancers in preparation for ballet careers.  It also collaborates with many others, including The Goh Ballet Company in Vancouver and the Honk Kong Ballet.  Ballet Jorgen's repertoire is of entirely original works and the company has been creating and performing for twenty five years.  Bengt Jorgen a graduate of the Royal Swedish Ballet School and a member of the National Ballet of Canada is an award winning Choreographer who has choreographed more than 30 ballets for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the American Ballet, the Hong Kong Ballet and many more.  This is truly bringing Ballet to all of us.

Denis Gagnon Spring/Summer 2012

Denis Gagnon started off his collection with a stunning film featuring models walking through a forest through the eyes of Gagnon himself.  The audience was entranced and perhaps not expecting the fun and playful show that followed.  Models walked down the runway playfully engaging with the crowd and posing for the cameras.  Loved the floral patterns and his use of black and white. Especially loved the black and white tux pieces and his play on the "bride" look at the end. Bravo Denis.  A show stopper and highlight of Toronto Fashion Week!

Versace for H & M in Canada

It's coming! Versace for H & M!  Pieces range from $19.95 to $299 and will be available in Canada in November.  It just doesn't get any better than this. Don't know if I'll wait overnight, but I might get there early and see what I can find!

VAWK Spring/Summer 2012 Toronto Fashion Week

Written by Treasure Seeker Colleen

Always love this collection and show for its multicultural mix and variety of ages and sizes of models. It definitely offers something for everyone! Stunning choice of black and gold over all and then mixes of cream, pastels, white and tie die prints. The 2 toned dresses and bathing suits with cutouts were so unusual and absolutely eye catching. The trench, short and long jackets, always with something floaty - I want, I want. Great music and always fabulous, 100% presentation.

Images via Toronto LG Fashion Week

ROBERT GRAHAM - Spring/Summer 2012 Menswear Collection Toronto Fashion Week

Written by Treasure Seeker Colleen

This Spring/Summer 2012 collection saw the models on elevated platforms around a brilliantly lit space with live music and pink refreshments! I liked the opportunity to photograph the models as they stood facing us and we walked around them. Loved the sockless look, especially with a variety of cuffed and uncuffed pants, slacks and chinos and fabulous shoes. Colours were vivid pastels, sunny and fresh. Shirts were immaculately tailored, flattering and seldom seen in stores. I do get tired of dark greys and blacks and boxy shapes and sports clothing so this collection was a real treat. Stripes, solids, different treatments for cuffs and collars! Models were exceptional and I heard guys standing nearby say that they would definitely be happy and comfortable in this line. Visit Robert Graham here.

Images via LG Fashion Week