By Ashley Bartlett

Let’s just get right into it, shall we? First up on my agenda: LG Fashion Week newbie, Katrina Tuttle. A Halifax native, Tuttle made her mark in Toronto at Alternative Fashion Week (FAT), where she received glowing reviews from the media. The PYT (just 21 years old) debuted her spring/summer for the fashion heavy hitters last night at day three of LGFW. The result? A very pretty collection of garden party appropriate cocktail dresses in classic shapes and candy-coloured hues of fuchsia, maya blue, and lemon. I liked the fold-over pleating details (present throughout the collection) and complimenting covered buttons done in dupioni silk and soft linens. It was cute, and certainly saleable, but it felt uninspired and maybe too pretty (is that possible?). Perhaps opting for a more tightly edited line-up would have resulted in a stronger collection. Or maybe a stylist to add accessories and dimension.

Speaking of hiring a stylist, can you believe that was Sears? Am I dreaming? Let me backtrack. Next on the bill: Attitude by Sears, a new collection that aims to offer women stylish looks without the designer price tag (also a huge initiative by Sears to reinvent themselves to a new, younger customer. Ahem, us working girls). Staples included pegged pants, oversized t-shirts, sequin tanks, silky jumpsuits, and of course, the boyfriend blazer. Sears has not only brought on a fresh, young design team, but also enlisted the expertise of stylist Jimmy Moorhouse to make it happen. I’m telling you ladies, the tide is turning and you might want to check out your local Sears department store come February.

Over an hour later and I’m starved for exciting fashion – something with some real substance, some serious inspiration. I’m calling on Ms. Kim Newport Mimran for that. Pink Tartan answers with some serious game this season, and I am excited (!). The house is packed and the crowd suddenly turns into a herd of sheep, pushing and tripping each other to find the once neatly labelled assigned seating. I spy Tie Domi and Ben Mulroney in the front row. And who’s that guy in head-to-toe Ed Hardy? After half an hour, the lights finally dim and out comes a fearless new Pink Tartan. The pin straight hair, orange pouts (a la Proenza Schouler SS09), and angular sunnies are a far cry from last season’s Betty Draper. This season we are Parisian chic. Newport Mimran takes us from day to night with great separates that can be mixed and matched; leather minis, black and white striped cardigans, ruffled shirts, wide leg trousers. The star piece? An updated version of the label’s signature clover print jersey dress, only this time it’s gone all cocktail hour (Grey Goose, of course) in swinging blue and cream sequins. Pink Tartan wants you to be sexy this season, but still very, very chic. Props again to Jimmy Moorhouse for a sublime styling execution.

Where there’s a Kim, there’s a Joe. It’s time to clear out the bleachers one more time for the night to prepare for the highly-anticipated Joe Fresh show. If Pink Tartan was packed, well then Joe Fresh was… very packed? Madness, absolute madness. Theodora Richards opens the show, prancing out to The Ting Tings in itty bitty briefs and a long white tee. Even though she lost her shoe, she could not be more adorable about it. A total of 56 spring looks followed, all showing lots of skin, and if not skin, then at least innerwear. Cotton bras were styled over crisp white shirts and paired with blue bloomers – very Little Bo Peep. Sheer rosette tops were shown with knee length kick pleat skirts in soft yellow and pink. The girls were accessorized in straw hats and clogs (clogs worked at Chanel this season, but I think we’re all a little scared for the suburban soccer moms). For the men? Christopher Kane-esque gingham pants in hot pink, beige polos, and slim fit tees.

Now, I’m off for a fashionable little cat nap before hitting Aime Luxury, Rudsak, and Nada on day four. *Air kiss*