ELLECanada.com reviews the best of LG Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2009.
 | Joe Fresh Style What’s not to love about a brand that sells t-shirts for $5 and shoes for less than an entrée at a moderately priced restaurant, right? After all, despite the credit crunch we are still reluctant to renounce our beloved culture of consumption. I get it. (I may not agree with it, but I get it.) That said, shopaholics will be chomping at the bit to get their hot hands on Joe Fresh’s styles next season. A black and white heavy collection of winter-minded basics will allow even the most frugal ista to inject her wardrobe with something NEW! Gray pleated skirts, button down oxford shirts, Fair Isle sweaters, loose knee-length dresses and classic après ski gear culminating in black-and-white onesie pajamas were all very winter friendly. As were the quilted jackets, wool peacoats and oversized pom-pom’d toques. It all looked carefree and fun, especially when Irina Lazareanu playfully bounded down the runway in a couple of those aforementioned quilted pieces. Apparently even supermodels are feeling the pinch. —M.R. |
 | Carlie Wong Channeling the spirit of the Robert Palmer girls of the ‘80s, Carlie Wong sent models down the runway with slicked back hair, heavily kohl’d eyes and sultry crimson pouts. Sadly, her collection seemed stuck in the same time warp. Metallics paired with white seemed so very off-season and when the palette turned to skin-tight black it all went horribly wrong via exposed gold zippers. But it didn’t stop there. An array of tops, dresses and pants came out in a blinding gold-and-black flower-printed fabric that I’m sure will awaken nightmares circa 1986 in some scarred bridesmaids. There was one long black vest that was so very right. Look for it in stores next fall, but don’t pair it with leggings like Wong did on the runway. I cannot stress this enough: they are not pants! —MR |
 | Evan Biddell As Mick Jagger once crooned: “It’s only rock ‘n’ roll but I like it.” I couldn’t agree with him more or, with Evan Biddell’s fall collection. To a gut-busting metal rock soundtrack, models stomped down the runway in ultra cool zippered slouchy and harem-style pants with matching biker jackets in mustard, teal and gray. Chunky black knit scarves accentuated slinky bondage dresses and flirty cocktail frocks in multi-coloured panels. He even managed to keep the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll alive in his evening dresses: black draped jersey and a one-sleeved gown in alternating panels of black and a swirly print would look super cool paired with one of those biker jackets. Stand out pieces that I really hope to see on the streets next season include a slouchy zippered jumpsuit in muted violet and a beautiful high-waisted pleated tulip skirt. I like it, I like it, yes I do. —M.R. |
 | Lucian Matis The appeal of the wood nymph is so irresistible that she’s bound to play muse to at least one collection every fall. Lucky for us, there was nothing mundane about Lucian Matis’ use of her. An emotional and sophisticated collection of flowing dresses, tailored coats and sharp separates in soft shades of beige, mauve, khaki, brown and black was the perfect way to end fashion week. Models glided out with bird’s nest messy hair, some accented with large antlers, in a series of knee-length day-to-night clingy dresses punctuated with awesome gold-studded suede legwarmers in olive green and chocolate brown. A shiny brown Mac and a high-collared black cocoon coat were gorgeously tailored, while short evening dresses embellished with black-on-black sequins, a ruffled bustier or muted all-over paillettes in brown, beige and rust will surely provide all the razzle dazzle an evening event requires. Matis deserves a special shout-out for his long gowns of draped jersey, sheer layered tulle and, especially, for one dramatic black gown with a deconstructed sequined bodice. Add in all those wonderful wood and bone accessories and all you’ll need is a forest to frolic in. —M.R. |
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