Holt Renfrew kickoff cocktail party

Last time we were deep in the recession – so we just showed love at LGFW by clapping alongside a gospel choir. However, now feeling slightly more financially stable, we are asked to WEAR LOVE!! So who are you wearing? (H&M?)

Holt Renfrew VP of Fashion Direction, Barbara Atkin, kicked off LGFW yesterday evening to a packed crowd, on the contemporary 3rd floor at Holts. Too bad sixty percent of attendees were more interested in guzzling their Peroni and comparing shoes than listening to the praises of our new group of seven. The fashion crowd is a tough one to engage – far more difficult then film aficionados, design gurus, artistes or foodies. Materialistic narcissism? Come on people, we have something to celebrate! Blake Lively wears her Smythe jacket, like, every week!

The group of seven on parade last night were designers Lisa Baday, Smythe’s Andrea Lenczner and Christie Smythe, Pink Tartan’s Kimberley Newport-Mimran, Greta Constantin’s Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong, Denis Gagnon – always adorning his Warhol-esque specs, Jeremy Laing and Mikhael Kale – who by far received the greatest whistle, I can’t confirm whether that was a family member or not.

Amidst Holts big spenders, like Suzanne Rogers with a Barbarella-like blonde up-do, were media heavyweights Lisa Tant (Editor-in-Chief of Flare), Suzanne Boyd (ex-Flare Editor-in-Chief, currently EIC of Zoomer), monsieur Joe Fresh (Joseph Mimran), Project Runway Canada star Sunny Fong and a smattering of well heeled bloggers, rake thin models and obnoxious fashionistas vying for the people’s paparazzi, “Omg, everyone wants to take my photo!!”

On the street stood a fuzzy seal mascot from PETA  – he did Disney-like waves at the women adorning fur wraps. Even among protesters, Fashion Week rules apply: the only acceptable cause is the cutest one.

Talk of the night was devoted to the new King West LGFW venue, how The Bay’s new ROOM is going to give Holts a run for its money,  Robin Kay’s remarkable composure – and devilish desires that she’d say something ludicrous, and how socially exhausting it is to schmooze through the room. Fashion people don’t have it easy – we are expected to develop a myriad of adjectives to describe darts, zips and leather – while under the influence – kiss-kiss people we dislike – all the while tweeting sass while in three inch pumps!! Come on – it’s HARD.

Don’t have an invite to any of the shows? Hit up Maro – the OFFICIAL after party all week long hosted by the F-list. Designer Spotlights! Designer After-Parties! Fashion Installations! Beauty Bar! For schedule go to www.f-list.ca (ahh – $20 if you got no fancy laminate)

For the latest scoop on shows, parties and rudeness – go to our LG Fashion Week Special .

What the hell is the FDCC? TFI? The F-List? – fashion week virgins, let us teach you so you don’t ask an embarrassing question like, “when is Marc Jacobs showing?” 

Who Rebecca Hardy, Canada’s Next Top Model Winner, wants to drink Grey Goose with…

Why Jessica Biffi raves on about jumpsuits…

What famed photographer Caitlin Cronenberg misses most about her days shooting Bar Mitzvahs… 

And all the gawk at Sunny Fong’s VAWK…

#LGFW Twitter is like bitch central:

@yahoocanadalife Fashion dispatch one: rudeness at Holts, Sonng Fong and that protesting seal.

@blogto Fashion Week Haters and Lovers Collide at Holt Renfrew Media Cocktail Party http://tinyurl.com/yzcaxql 

@followmetimtse Robin Kay…. Drunk or not?

@NOWlifestyle A woman in a quilted hoop skirt just entered the runway room. Note to attendees: Limit the width of your ensemble. Bleechers are tight

@yahoocanadalife Looking at the ton of botox walking around

@ashley_bartlett The PETA seals have followed to the tents. Ladies, watch your fur.

Follow us! @shedoesthecity

Enter Shedoesthecity’s BIG Fashion Contest…’cause you could win ALL this:

$150 Gift Certificate to H&M
Kiehl’s Beauty Basket for supple and glowing skin
MAC’s mirth, mischief and magic holiday collection to look glam at every party this season
The Barbie Fashionistas Collection – oooh fun! Decorate your room.
A lunch & learn date with designer Jason Meyers at The Drake Hotel
Smartwater prize pack – keep yourself revitalized and energized
The STOTT Pilates gift pack will have you toned like Jennifer Aniston in no time
Ke$ha condoms and tote – the new pop singer who will be giving Britney a run for her money in the charts
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