LG Fashion Week in the rain is overrated. As if I’m already not worrying about my shoes, now I have to punish myself for not protective-spraying my suede wedges.

So, this collection is the Fashion Design Council of Canada’s 25th fashion season. Kind of a big deal, but why call it “CanadaCool”? This is a marketing tactic I am not able to understand. No one wants to be reminded of our reputably disastrous, freezing weather when thinking about spring 2012 collections. Canada is cool, but let’s lose the parkas for now.

Much like last season, I stuffed myself on Special K cereal bars and Peroni. Too bad the Woolite wasn’t consumable. At least we were on King Street with plenty of discounts at local restaurants for MasterCard holders, so our options were endless. Fantastic sponsors and all, but next season I definitely want to forget the taste of strawberry Special K bars forever.

I graciously entered the fashion tents looking like a wet dog after paying an outrageous amount for parking. Fortunately, Label’s spring/summer 2012 collection was worth it, albeit short. The collection was so ready-to-wear; I wanted it all. There was as much street savvy appeal in Label’s collection as there was in Roksanda Ilincic and Paul Smith’s shows from London Fashion Week. Pleated skirts and heavy wedges will continue to be a Toronto look for next season, as well as light maxi dresses in lavender and muted waterfall cardigans. The show was instantly conceptual with its presence of twigs and stones, some worn as jewelry.

And then there was Joe Fresh. Canadian model Yasmin Warsame made a guest appearance on the runway which paired 60s shapes with 90s colours. Orange and white, meet the Mondrian shift dress. Joe was all about colour this season, so we saw turquoise and lemon popping with youthful galore on the runway, but the beige platform sandals only reminded me of myself attempting to be cool during the Spice Girls era. Joe never fails to entertain me on the runway; I only question the longevity of his clothing. Still, he managed to sell me on this collection with sharp tailoring and beachy vibes.

~ Erin Pehlivan