I learned how to pose and look fierce from Tyra. SMILE WITH YOUR EYES! (she says in a demonic and crazed way) So I did.
Stacey Mackenzie taught me how to cat walk down a bowling alley lane. Unfortunately, unaware of the optical illusion, I had to go shorter and shorter as I neared the pins. Ow-ow.
Mary Kate showed me how to mix eight types of clothing with a coffee and look like a hobo-millionaire.
When I’m feeling overwhelmed with fads and trends, I look to Brigitte Bardot or Blondie for iconic style advice.
But it is Robin Kay I seek out to enlighten me on the industry right here at home. (yes people, Canadian design is bigger than ROOTS).
Is Ms. Kay a controversial character? Oh yes. There are always a few who snivel in jealousy and drum up drama surrounding our industry Queen Bee but to those petty few we say ‘Booo!’. We’d rather have an eccentric powerhouse driving our Can-couture any day over a tired suit that ushers dull yawns.
L’Oreal Fashion Week officially begins today which in essence means that a giant white tent at Nathan Phillips Square will become a circus of everything fabulously fashion; hot-to-trot models with outlandish makeup, media furiously fidgeting with blackberries, PR chicks corralling well dressed Torontonians into tightly packed seating, panicked designers trying to sort out last minute pinning and pulling and of course a contingency of beautiful blonde socialites groveling, with whoever they know, for optimum front row seating. At the top of this pyramid, which teeters on three inch pumps, is Robin Kay, conductor of the madness and President of the Fashion Design Council of Canada; the small army that is responsible for the onslaught of shows.
On Friday afternoon, amidst the chaos of putting out fires and steering the dramarama fashion hoopla, I score a few minutes on the phone with Kay.
“So, how’s it going?”
“Right now fashion week is a rubik’s cube.”
Six points for an accurate analogy on the fly. Where most people would twist and turn the cube into fury and end up violently tossing it against a wall, it’s obvious that Kay relishes the challenge to get everything matched up just so.
What excites you most with the Spring 2009 Collections at L’Oreal Fashion Week?
”I’m excited about designers making sales, making a name for themselves. Fashion week is now at the place I wanted it to get to when I built it eight years ago.”
Hob-knobbing with everyone in the tent, sizing up outfits and nitpicking the shows, it sometimes feels as though fashion week is here to amuse and titillate us with see through shirts and f*ck you faces, but there is a purpose to the blitz – business, and the exchange of big bucks.
What are the biggest misconceptions about Canadian design?
“In Canada we have a low emotional cultural barometer. We are good at taking naps.”
It is a perplexing reality that Canadians are so terrific at being humble. We don’t have the same red carpet panache as the Americans or Europeans. We’ve always been a cheering squad for the underdog and are uncomfortable strutting out and really showing ourselves. The talent is here, it’s just about switching the response and changing the way we engage.
This past year we saw an almost nauseating throwback to the eighties, most notably spotted at 3AM outside the SOCIAL or in the washrooms at WRONGBAR – so what’s the next cyclical spin? Robin is keen to welcome back the psychedelic seventies. She’s happy to say bye bye to those low cut skinny jeans, that are discouraging for the average Jill.
Seven years ago a class full of aspiring designers at Ryerson might have drawn a blank when asked to name the who’s who in Canadian design, but today are clamouring over highly desired internships. This is something that makes Robin very proud – as does the overwhelming enthusiasm in the 200 volunteers that hail from every fashion school program and help make L’Oreal fashion week a well oiled machine, or perhaps an intoxicated lubricated one.
Further to the gain in notoriety, Canadian designers are now able to make their lines very accessible and inexpensive. Leading this brigade is Joseph Mimran of Joe Fresh. Skeptical at first with the notion of buying our jackets from the same place where we buy our lentils and lettuce, we are now devout followers of the chic and cheap design.
So what skills does a young person who wants to break out in this industry require?
”They have to understand the business of fashion. We really need more textbooks that reflect the Canadian industry.”
However, a textbook – like in any other industry, is only going to get you so far. Kay continues, “It’s about looking someone in the eye, connecting in a true way. Whether you are from Regina or Toronto – there will be people in your community that can help you to understand the industry further. Seek them out.”
Since we are on the topic of educating oneself in biz, I ask Robin why she ditched university in ’69 and fled to London:
“I was nineteen and blissfully blank.”
A fresh canvas then, Kay has spent forty years battling the world of fashion. To which she scoffs, “Oh my god, it’s been a long time.” Seasoned and wise, when asked what she is devoting her concentration to right now, Kay says with a laugh “These days I’m practicing smiling”. It’s a tough business, and the crowd is especially difficult to please, so smiling and taking everything in stride is important. After all although it may seem like it at times, this ain’t no life or death industry.
Industry aside, many of you may have scored a ticket to a hot show this week, what does Kay want you to take away?
”I want them to realize that there is an industry that needs support. Learn about something new, understand that designers are human and that fashion can be very fun.”
While on the phone with her, my mind drifted and I began to wonder whether I’d rather pick her brain for hours or jump in a convertible for a wild road trip to Vegas. I applaud her eccentricity and credit this self proclaimed ‘clothes whore’ to the fact that I can now sit and chat about Canadian design for hours – because although we may not be New York or Milan there is a lot happening and it is exciting. Soak it up, have some fun.
For up to date goss and so forth of the weeks happenings and unhappenings – check our daily fashion week blog on home page. Up now – pics from Greta Constantine show last week at CiRCA.
FASHION WEEK CONTEST
The F-list, is offering one lucky Shedoesthecity reader a chance to catch all the fashion shows on this Wednesday in da’ tent. Line up includes Playdead Cult & Damzels in The Dress, Evan Biddell (hubba hubba), Thien Le, Andy-The-Anh and Joe Fresh Style. To enter to win e-mail contests@shedoesthecity.com , subject line L’Oreal Fashion Week.
Full day passes are also available to general public for shows Tuesday – Friday at $50/each.
See www.f-list.ca for schedule. Must be 19 years or older.
FASHION PARTIES
TONIGHT
October 20th 2008 – Official Pink Tartan Afterparty
Open to the Public after 11:00 pm
Where: Cheval, 606 King Street West, Toronto ON
Designer Kim Mimran celebrates Pink Tartan’s spring /summer collection with the Canadian Media and fashion community
TOMORROW
Join the women from Shedoesthecity.com and the men from XYYZ.ca at The Drake Hotel tomorrow night for the Jason Meyers after party. 10 PM upwards and onwards. If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, please do so to haley@shedoesthecity.com Models, vodka, dancing and dresses.
October 21, 2008– Betsey Johnson – Spring / Summer 09 (runway show) Presented by Elmer Olson Agency, featuring Canadian talents and international sensations, Kori Richardson, Taryn Davidson & Amanda Laine
Runway @ 11:30 pm
Where: Brant House, 522 King St W, Toronto ON,
THURSDAY
October 23, 2008 – gsus sindustries Afterparty featuring DJ Roxy Cotton Tail & Host of MTV News, Johnny Hockin
Open to public after 10:30 PM
Where: Cheval, 606 King Street West, Toronto ON
Starting as a t-shirt line in Holland 15 years ago, gsus has now grown into a complete lifestyle brand, expanding the roster to include denim, knitwear, swimwear, eyewear, luggage, bicycles & a full children’s collection named “gsis & gbro” for sisters & brothers. This season gsus brings a fresh clash of cultures by fusing the elegance & class of Saint Tropez & the vibrant lifestyle of Brazil to create the spring 2009 collection theme: Saint D’Janeiro
October 23, 2008 -So you think you can Dance… Fashion Week: XS Fashion & Dance Performance by Tre Armstrong of So You Think You Can Dance (Canada)
Runway / Performance @ 11:30 pm – OPEN TO PUBLIC ALL NIGHT
Where: Maro Supper Club, 135 Liberty Street, Toronto ON
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