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The best and worst looks from day one of Toronto Fashion Week

Mikhael Kale’s floral wonderland: This emerging designer is all about details and craftsmanship. Even with a front row seat, it’s impossible to take in all the intricacies of Kale’s newest collection in just one viewing. From precise beading to funky floral appliqués, he’s the rare talent that can successfully infuse high fashion with a healthy dose of fun. Those stockings? Kale’s team made them minutes before the show by layering the nylons with real, fresh flowers. 

Preloved celebrates 20 years: This local favourite that saves sweaters from landfills and turns them into eco-chic fashions returned to the Toronto runway after a five-year absence. They showed a massive collection to celebrate the anniversary and, all these years later, it looks like they still have it. Eco-fashion gets a bad rep, but it’s brands like Preloved that prove it’s possible to look trendy and like you care about the planet’s future.  

Matthew Gallagher’s suit-inspired designs: I think Gallagher was going for Dior, but his various suit incarnations reminded me more of that Simpsons episode where Marge buys a discount Chanel suit and obsessively alters it over and over in hopes of fitting in. 

Matthew Gallagher’s woven dresses: Gallagher should’ve made these intricate, pretty designs the focal point of his collection. They were the perfect mix of unique, luxury and what retail buyers like to call “wearable.” Sure, there were some minor fit issues and some loose ribbons, but those could likely be fixed with a bit more time to construct the garments. 

Sid Neigum’s a-bit-too-signature pieces: I consistently credit Neigum as one of Canada’s most talented young designers, but the best styles in this collection looked too much like his hits from previous seasons. I had to do a few double takes to convince myself I wasn’t actually seeing duplicates from the past return to the runway. There’s a delicate balance designers have to strike between reinventing themselves each season and keeping the spirit of their brand alive. Neigum tipped the scales too far in one direction this time around, but now I’m even more eager to see what he does next. 

sabrinam@nowtoronto.com | @sabrinamaddeaux

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