Top four draws at this year’s event
Fashion Week begins Tuesday. The Kit’s Jillian Vieira highlights some of the coolest happenings worth checking out
1. A change of scenery
New year, new venue — well, sort of. While Yorkville Village shopping centre will remain the hub for fashion week’s core events, many designer presentations are expanding to major cultural institutions in the chi-chi neighbourhood, aiming for that elevated international fashion week feel.
You can check out Lesley Hampton and Zoran Dobric’s shows at the Canadian art-focused Gardiner Museum, while Hilary MacMillan and Narces will show their collections alongside fossils and other historical artifacts on Thursday night at the Royal Ontario Museum. 2. The shoppable showroom Flashy runway presentations aside, it’s at the local level — through Instagram shares and boutique buys — where much of Canada’s growing designer roster is gaining traction.
It’s this kind of intimate, in-the-know experience that Toronto Fashion Week xRE\SET’s curated showroom is hoping to recreate.
Throughout the week, showgoers and consumers alike can shop head-to-toe wares from nearly 15 makers, including tailoring mastery by Brit Wacher, sculptural jewelry pieces from Biko and mod- ern swimwear by Beth Richards.
Feb. 5-7, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 136 Yorkville Ave.
3. The not-to-be-missed drag performance
Fashion week’s opening night will begin with a bang. As a part of Style Night, a meeting of the industry’s most stylish minds, RuPaul’s Drag Race alums Gia Gunn and Kimora Blac, from Season 6 and Season 9, respectively, will be guests of honour, performing after a meet and greet at the Elama x The House of Brand pop-up, because what’s fashion without a little fun? Now sashay away. Feb. 5, 6 to 9 p.m., 136 Yorkville Ave. 4. Mani Jassal’s hotly anticipated show
Indian-Canadian designer Mani Jassal has blown up the South Asian bridal and evening wear category only five years after landing on the scene.
Her fall 2019 offering — a made-toorder collection, created using couture techniques — will be available online following the show, and though tickets to her presentation sold out almost immediately (told you she’s big), you can check out the live stream on Jassal’s Instagram that evening.
Feb. 7, 8 p.m., Royal Ontario Museum Indian-Canadian designer Mani Jassal brings a luxury angle to the South Asian clothing category, creating pieces like this decorated skirt.
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