THE SCENE: Elton John, supermodels and sparkly eveningwear at the 25th Fashion Cares gala

By Fraser Abe | Photography by Erin Simkin

With performances by the likes of the Scissor Sisters, Janelle Monae and Elton John, the 25th Fashion Cares gala was one of last night’s hottest parties (even against steep competition like the CAA shindig and more Soho House festivities). Held at the Sony Centre after an early-bird dinner at the Royal York, it caused Front Street to be littered with town cars, limos and hopeful fans. Inside, the scene was mixed—rich women in ball gowns (we spotted Suzanne Rogers sneaking a cigarette outside), singers (among them Chantal Kreviazuk and Jully Black), gay guys in tuxedos and drag queens all mixed and mingled. The evening was co-hosted by Linda Evangelista and DSquared’s Dean and Dan Caten (the latter were introduced as “tiny masterminds” by Michael King and David Furnish, and we can confirm that they are miniature). Evangelista, who noted that since Fashion Cares was started by MAC in 1994, it has raised over $22 million in Canada alone to fight HIV/AIDS, was nearly as well-received as the Scissor Sisters’ renditions of “Let’s Have a Kiki” and “I Don’t Feel Like Dancing.” Headliner Elton John brought the house down with “Your Song,” then brought every performer back on stage for the big finale, “I’m Still Standing,” remaining at the centre on a piano (which Scissor Sisters front man Jake Shears danced on in leather shorts, no less).