Weekly Couture

by Barbara Paganoni

The Reinventando el Calzado footwear exposition took place at FAD (Fomento Artes Decorativas) in Barcelona, Spain on March 15, 2007. FAD, an independent, non-profit cultural institution, is made up of more than 1,500 professionals working in design, architecture and other creative fields. The goal of the institution is to promote these disciplines within Spain’s cultural and economic arenas.

Reinventando el Calzado is geared to give a new perspective on the Spanish shoe market, focusing on how the creative element of Spanish footwear is what sets Spain apart in the global market. Thirty famous Spanish shoe firms and 30 well-known Spanish designers collaborated their efforts and created different pieces of art in several artistic sectors including architecture, textiles, design, jewellery, and graphic design.

What: A night of pampering, catering, and cocktails. Many yummy mommies stepped out in style for delicious canapés and desserts, cooking demos by Ezra Title of Chez Vous, beauty and hair makeovers by Clinique and Conair, hot stone massages and reflexology provided by Schick, an HBC fashion show, a Sun-Rype juice bar, and cocktails by Bailey’s.

Why: Each guest received two gift bags valued at $250 (think spa slippers, Conair goodies, a copy of Chatelaine, a recipe book, Schick Intuition razors, and more!) But more importantly, all proceeds from the event were donated to the Palliative Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital in memory of Madeleine Little Joiner.

What: Trendsetting Toronto continues to please its theatre crowd by following up the London West End hit We Will Rock You with Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage!

Why: Be one of the first North Americans to set your hungry eyes on the London musical hit Dirty Dancing! It’s not often that stage performances of this caliber open in Toronto before New York.

When: Tickets go on sale April 16, 2007. The show will begin preview performances in October 2007 and will open on November 15, 2007.

Who: Fashion TV’s Glen Baxter will be a guest speaker for Mass Exodus 2007: Platform.

What: The Ryerson School of Fashion has been putting on this annual fashion show for over half a decade. This year’s IFFTI and press/industry show will only feature the top 15 to 20 fourth year designers, as decided by a panel of industry experts.

Why: Be sure to check out the Reception Gala on April 11th and April 12th as a wide array of designer garments, illustrations, graphic design, and photographs will be showcased.

When: April 11th (12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) and April 12th (12:30 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m.).

What: Classy handbags, shoes, and accessories up to 50% off.

Where: The Kate Spade website.

From Left to Right: Wellesley Quinn bag, was $365 US now $274 US, Abbeville wrap skit was $225 US now $95 US, Stacked wood heel shoe was $295 US now $148 US

What: The Raptors Foundation fundraiser, which will support the construction of a new court in an underprivileged area.

Why: All proceeds will go towards organizations that help at-risk youth. Tickets will run you $225 per person, however it’s a small price to pay to hang with the Raptors and support a worthy cause (Tip: The $4,000 VIP package includes 10 tickets, your own designated lounge area, and a Raptor player or coach assigned to your area for a portion of the evening.)

Who: MC Dina Pugliese, co-host of Star! Daily and Breakfast Television and TFI alumni Joeffer Caoc, Farley Chatto, CinCyn, David Dixon, and Arthur Mendonca.

What: The Toronto Fashion Incubator kicks its annual New Labels runway show up a notch this year by incorporating the presentation into its 20th-anniversary Ultimate Platinum gala. This event will benefit the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI), a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing, supporting and promoting new fashion entrepreneurs.