Big, bold and almost brash: The top trends at Toronto Fashion Week were anything but shy
Hint: You might be seeing and wearing red this fall
Welcome to fashion month! Toronto Fashion Week kicked off its exclusive three-day fall/winter 2018 calendar earlier this week as fashion enthusiasts hit Yorkville Village to experience an overflow of visual stimulation.
This season Toronto Fashion Week, in partnership with RE\SET and THE COLLECTIONS boasted more than 20 shows and events showcasing the creative talent and innovation of some of Canada's top fashion talent. From empowering shades to swinging silhouettes, the runway was filled with energy and optimism.
Now that the reimagined celebration of Canadian fashion has ended, here's a look back at a few of our favourite trends that will help define our fall 2018 wardrobes.
Red-hot red
Perhaps inspired by the welcome wave of female empowerment, a big trend for the fall will be power red. Several designers showcased collections with bold crimson looks on Toronto's runway that made a clear statement: It's time to go all-in and colourblock from head-to-toe!
Montreal-based designers José Manuel St-Jacques and Simon Bélanger opened the renaissance-inspired fall 2018 collection for their UNTTLD label with ruby red velvet and luxurious red silk silhouettes. A dramatic gown paired with elbow gloves, a tailored suit and a ruffled-sleeve dress seemed even more luxurious coming down the runway in rich red hues.
Tara Rivas, and WRKDEPT also featured red in their fall '18 collections and proved that much like lipstick, there really is a red to suit everyone.
"The inspiration was all about love," says Toronto-based Riva, who showcased her collection of eveningwear and flirty dresses on day two of Toronto Fashion Week. A fiery notch-lapel power suit stood out in a sea of form-fitting red frocks and best embodied the power of the bold fashion week trend.
Montreal-based WRKDEPT designers Andy Long Hoang and Tinashe Musara had a much more playful approach to the trendy hue, especially when it came to this show stopping look from their "Royals on acid" collection: An over-the-top ensemble complete with an overdose of frothy tulle.
Attention-grabbing fabrics
Toronto's collections proved that this fall there will be no time to be shy when it comes to style. Designers are encouraging fashionistas to turn up the volume with dramatic looks that feature larger-than-life details and attention-grabbing fabrics. Think feathers, sequins, lace, and tulle! Think drama!
Austrian designer Nikki Wirthensohn Yassemi definitely delivered said drama with selections from her eveningwear label Narces. Floaty feminine silhouettes coming down the runway featured encrusted jewels, decadent silver sequin, and layers and layers cake-like tulle.
On the opposite side of the fashion spectrum, Toronto fashion watchers devoured
Hendrixroe's in-your-face use of metallic leather, shimmering brocade, and flower power prints.
Another attention-grabbing favourite? Toronto-based Hayley Elsaesser's "Cosmic Dread" collection delivered plenty of sparkly fabrics and quirky prints in vibrant Crayola colours that are guaranteed to make a lasting impression. Elsaesser's signature out-there attitude perfectly embodies the dare-to-wear fall trend.
Do we have your attention?
Feel the fringe
Swish, swish: Not ready for full-on fringe? Then look away because Toronto style leaders want you wearing seriously fancy fringe this fall. It's true… Fringe is about to have another well-deserved moment and it's not for the fashionably faint at heart.
Designed by sibling duo Adam and Ania Taubenfligel, Triarchy brought more than a few fringe-tastic looks to the runway. The sustainable denim label presented a fall '18 collection filled with lust-worthy fringed coats and skirts.
Ready to pull off something bolder? Look no further than the retro red fringe jackets, clearly inspired by peace, love and rock 'n' roll from designer Jordan McKay's Hendrixroe label. Guaranteed to have you swinging and ready to take on one of the fall's biggest trends.
Christopher Turner is a Toronto-based writer, editor and lifelong fashionisto with a passion for pop culture and sneakers. Follow him on social media at @Turnstylin.