Image: MTV
1. Toronto ComiCon, Saturday, March 10 (runs until March 11). Start out fashion week with an anti-fashion-week statement outfit — that is, if you like dressing up as cosplay characters. This spring’s ComiCon will feature celebrity appearances by Curtis Armstrong, Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s Charisma Carpenter, and Star Trek‘s John Delancie. The two day event will be located at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, and will feature exhibitors, presentations, workshops and photo-ops.
2. St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Sunday, March 11. Celebrate all things Irish (and beer!) at Toronto’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade begins at noon, and will run from Bloor and St. George all the way to Queen Street at Nathan Philips Square, continuing along Bloor Street down Yonge. Although construction orange is the colour of the season, be sure to wear green or else you won’t fit in.
3. Lucian Matis show, Monday, March 12. Former Project Runway Canada contestant (turned actual successful designer) Lucian Matis will show his womenswear collection at the Fairmont Royal York at 5:30 p.m. After showing his more upscale collection that night, Matis will also show his more afforable diffusion line, MATIS by Lucian Matis, on March 13th.
4. Holt Renfrew show, Monday, March 12. Leading Canadian department store Holt Renfrew will showcase their fall collections and trends at The Tents at David Pecaut Square (King Street West, between John and Simcoe.) Along with fashion’s elite all under the same tent (can you say Holt Renfrew’s fierce Barbara Atkin?), expect designers like Jeremy Laing, Lida Baday, Smythe, and Line.
5. Chloe Comme Parris show, Tuesday, March 13. Sister design duo Chloe and Parris Gordon will also unveil their fall collection at The Tents at David Pecaut Square. The girls are always a stand-out at Toronto Fashion Week, with their girlish and super charming collections, so this one is a must see (seriously, mark your calendar.)
6. The Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys, Wednesday, March 14. If you’re tired of fashion and glamour and house music, take a break and head over to The Black Keys (featuring the Arctic Monkeys) concert at the Air Canada Centre. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and the headlining band will presumably play hits from both their El Camino and Brothers album.
7. Bustle show, Wednesday, March 14. Husband and wife duo Shawn Hewson and Ruth Promislow began their label back in 2002, and since then have built up a brand known for its tailored and updated pieces. Their show is always a spectacle (the spring show had models dancing on a boat set with champagne), so the spectacle just may be more enticing than the clothes themselves. The show is at David Pecaut Square.
8. David Dixon show, Thursday, March 15. David Dixon is one of the most successful homegrown designers here in Toronto, so expect nothing less than fabulous at this show. Expect to see socialites aplenty at this show as well (both Suzanne Rogers and Jenna Bitove were present at his spring show.) The show will also be at The Tents at David Pecaut Square.
9. Arthur Mendon̤a show, Friday, March 16. Although Toronto designer Arthur Mendon̤a got the runway treatment last season, he will be showing a more intimate studio presentation this time around at The Tents at David Pecaut Square. His clothes have been featured in Flare, FASHION, Elle, and countless others Рand they are worth the hype.
10. The National Home Show, Friday, March 16 (runs until March 25). If you’ve spent all week collecting fashion inspiration, why not pay a visit to The National Home Show to get design ideas for your home as well? The show is $20 for adults, and will feature over 800 exhibitors spread out over 600,000 square feet. The show is at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place.
