Toronto Fashion Week: office wear meets a Madonna cone bra at Vawkkin and Vawk spring/summer 2013

Toronto Fashion Week ran from October 22 to 26, in a large—and stylishly appointed—tent at David Pecaut Square. We’re posting full galleries from the buzziest runways. It’s time to forget about the chilly weather and imagine what life (or at least fashion) will be like in spring/summer 2013.

DESIGNER
Vawk and Vawkkin, by Sunny Fong

IN A SENTENCE Vawk and its sister label Vawkkin (now in its second season) are both helmed by Fong, a Project Runway Canada alum known for his use of diverse models and his belief that fashion is for everyone (according to him, “Vawk brings fantasy and Vawkkin brings reality”).

THE SCENE The runway was slick with rain (or, our photographer suspected, a spilled drink), and volunteers’ efforts to mop it with T-shirts failed to prevent model mayhem. Several of the models slipped, scaring others into turning halfway down the runway. That made it hard for many guests to see the full collection: though Suzanne Rogers, Glen and David Dixon and The Bay’s Nicholas Mellamphy had a great view from their middle-of-the-runway seats, Miss World Canada Tara Teng (who of course wore her sash) may have had a tougher time from her front row spot near the end of the catwalk.

THE COLLECTION The Vawkkin collection was full of office-appropriate staples, including LBDs with peplums, black pantsuits adorned with oversized purple scarves, silk tops and pencil skirts. The line’s most (and perhaps only) fashion-forward piece was a sheer black and white blouse. Fong took more chances with Vawk, which had a rather sexy bent. Cut-outs, black leather, corsets, deep reds and thigh-high slits were decidedly office-inappropriate—and made for a more entertaining runway show.

BEST PIECES The most talked-about piece of the collection was a rose gold cone bra (think Madonna) designed by local jewellery company Niki and Lola, but our favourite piece was the short cream strapless dress with black leather accents, which was a perfect balance of naughty and nice.