PHOTO GALLERY: the best and worst of fashion week fall/winter 2011

We’ve seen a lot of fashion in the past two weeks thanks to LG Fashion Week and Rogue Fashion Week, and what we’ve noticed is this: Toronto’s fashion community (media, designers, PR, bloggers, stylists, photographers) is growing wildly, making the festival a viable stomping ground for famous expats like Mark Fast and Mikhael Kale, and a great place to launch a career for young designers like Amanda Lew Kee. See our choices for the best and worst of the past two weeks in a gallery below.

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We choose some of the best (left) and some of the worst (right) from the past two weeks of fashion. Click on for more (Images: Jenna Marie Wakani)

Winners and Losers

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Who said comfort only meant cotton sweat pants? Line’s layering of knits didn’t just warm the audience on a cold night, but it made being cozy completely en vogue. We’ll never wear a silk pant suit again. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

BEST: Comfort dressing

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This mess of knits is neither elegant nor inventive. But then again, neither was his soundtrack or his hair. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

WORST: the Talbots look by Jay Manuel

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We loved this tailored neoprene jacket over a textured skirt. We’ll leave the plastic jewellery, but it’s clear that Joe Fresh has upped its game to capture the new New York customer. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

BEST: the blues at Joe Fresh

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Nobody needs a fur gown, like this one from IZMA. Everyone who wears this will look 20 pounds heavier than they actually are. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

WORST: excessive isn’t chic

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Chloé Comme Parris gave us the witchy vibes we’ve been looking for. This may seem a bit literal, but we love how easy these girls make it to look this cool. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

BEST: witchy vibes at Chloé Comme Parris

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A bow can be blowsy, but crinkled and dusty-looking doesn’t exactly scream refinement. We thought it may be excessive to show three of Jay Manuel’s looks, but it was really this terrible (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

WORST: a bow doesn’t make it fancy

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We love the simple fur tie-in on a sophisticated black dress. Sunny Fong is, without a doubt, a master of details. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

BEST: Vawk’s little black dress

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A popular Toronto photographer said, “I’ve been avoiding a dorky photographer’s vest like that my entire career.” We’re not sure how this made the final edit, considering the cinched waist isn’t the least bit flattering, but maybe Pink Tartan knows something we don’t. It’s our impression that women generally prefer to not wear clothing that makes them look like they're smuggling hams out of Price Chopper. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

WORST: Utility, followed by humility

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Fur is one of those indulgences that’s really difficult to justify, but IZMA makes our decision for us by upping the glamour for fall/winter with glitzy details and some sexy sequins. Welcome to the new spirit of the ’70s. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

BEST: Bianca Jagger at IZMA

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No one will ever wear this. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

WORST: Jay Manuel’s faux elegance

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The woman in this dress knows all of the right people. She’s probably dated a string of actors from French new wave cinema. In other words, she’s everything we’re not and that makes us want her even more. Mendonça painted the perfect scene and we’re excited about his return to Canadian fashion. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

BEST: Arthur Mendonça’s perfect woman

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We loved most of Denis Gagnon’s fall/winter show, but this stood out as a shocking misstep. We’re sure some people will go for it (candy ravers, cyber goths), but we’re just not into the stuffed animal look. (Image: Jenna Marie Wakani)

WORST: Fraggle Rock

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Who would have thought that Toronto had the pull to encourage Elle.com, Harper’s Bazaar and the New York Times to attend our on-the-rise fashion festival? Well, Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh made it happen, but Kim and Joe Mimran’s collections didn’t impress nearly as much as relative newcomers Chloé Comme Parris, Project Runway winner Sunny Fong and a back-from-bankruptcy Arthur Mendonça. It just goes to show you, that even if you aren’t swimming in grocery store money, you can still be the toast of Toronto’s fashion week(s).