Philip Sparks’s Canadiana wows—again—as Rogue Fashion Week kicks off

Philip Sparks’s Canadiana wows—again—as Rogue Fashion Week kicks off

Philip’s walk to the bar was well lit (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

Philip Sparks kicked off Rogue Fashion Week last night at the Burroughes Building with a fall/winter collection of classic duffle coats, military parkas and hand-knit Fair Isle sweaters. We’re told the men’s and women’s collections are inspired by—and, puzzlingly, meant to celebrate—Canadian winter. One audience member grumbled sarcastically that the fall plaid was “groundbreaking,” but we enjoyed it, seeing the triple-ply shirting and flannel-lined denim as reinventions, not tired standards. Read on for full photo coverage of the men’s and women’s collections and a rundown of the scene at Burroughes.

See the photos from the show »

The show drew a predictable crowd of fashion personalities, like Amanda Lew Kee, sporting her trademark blue lipstick (and set to show during LGFW next week), Jaclyn Genovese of Queen West boutique Jacflash and fashion designer Jeremy Laing. Anyone who has been to the Burroughes can attest that the space is tight at the best of times, and with the crush of fashion bloggers there to cover the event for their widely unread blogs, the room felt tighter than usual (or, as one friend noted, “worse than a line at the Mandarin”).

Poor sightlines and the oft-seen glisten of forehead sweat aside, Sparks’s collection wowed the audience as usual. The chatter after the show revealed that girls were lusting after the maple leaf–print dresses and shearling muffs, while the boys were dying for the burgundy leather bomber jacket with a grey shawl collar. Once the free booze ran out, only a few stragglers remained, dancing fervently to David Bowie’s “Modern Love.” It may be too early to call, but we think it’s clear that this dandy’s spark is now a fire.