Spring Style: Back in Black

Many Toronto designers, architects and fashion industry types avoid the bright hues in shop windows come spring, adhering faithfully to a year-round uniform of head-to-toe black. This season, the best dressed among them are wearing clothing from innovative labels like Rick Owens and Sid Neigum, and hard-edged British retailer AllSaints. Fetching details like shiny hardware, see-through cut-outs and architectural pleats demand attention despite their sombre tone. Black? Yes. Basic? Not a bit.