OFW A/W '12 Full Weekend Recap

I’m sure by now that you’ve already read and seen every news article, blog post, tweet, Facebook update, Instragram photo and Tumblr related to Ottawa Fashion Week. But, just in case you missed anything, here’s a simple summary (with links) of our own coverage of the weekend's most memorable moments.

Highlights—Day One [VIDEO]

Musical Performances on Feb 17

Highlights—Day Two [VIDEO]

Musical Performances on Feb 18

Twitter Q&A with Smashbox Canada Celebrity Make-up Artist Shawn Hlowatzki (Transcript)

Highlights—Day Three [VIDEO]

Musical Performances on Feb 19

#OFWLive in Tweets (3000+ Cut to 125)

A Thank You Note from OFW

^WJ

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Ottawa Fashion Week Highlights - Day Three

Sadly this season of Ottawa Fashion Week has come to an end. We went out with a bang with some stellar shows, including our charity fashion show replete with star power. Read on to see what you missed and relive the amazing last day of Ottawa Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2012.

Serendipity by Kelsey McIntyre
Hailing from Alberta, designer Kelsey McIntyre returned to OFW to show the latest collection of her label, Serendipity. The collection epitomized McIntyre's signature vintage chic style. The flirty skirts with chiffon overlays that dominated the collection were reminiscent of ballet skirts and appeared in deep teal, vintage pink and mustard. Cinched waists and bold buttons added detail to McIntyre's creations. A full-length white gown ended the show, a tribute to McIntyre's first design love, wedding dresses. The collection was unapologetically feminine and wearable.

loft 604
Next up was loft 604, a Toronto menswear brand designed by Willie Fung. The relaxed collection was full of detail; refined but casual cardigans and pullovers were paired with dark, well-tailored jeans. The sweaters were all made in cool browns, greys, black, and cream. The sophisticated nature of the sweaters derived from diamond pattern and cable knits, toggle buttons, and elbow patches. This season loft 604 also showed two womenswear pieces that echoed their male counterparts in grace and style. One female model wore a grey kimono-style cardigan with a rope belt while the other wore a casual cream pullover. The collection left us yearning for the relaxed European lifestyle that inspires loft 604.

Ella Peru
Ending the first segment of yesterday's shows was Ottawa designer Su-Hui Chu with her line Ella Peru.  The Autumn/Winter 2012 collection, entitled “Euclid and Ulster,” pays homage to the Victorian neighbourhood in Toronto. Chu used browns, peaches, forest greens, beige, and plum in her bold creations. The collection was reminiscent of a 1920s circus; models' hair was in a deep wave tease and crimson lips complemented the feminine designs. Wedge shoes were provided by Urban Outfitters to complete the looks. Shapely dresses, fur caps, high-waisted shorts, and colourful nylons added an essence of funk to this edgy collection.

An electric performance by Camp Fortune led us through the first break of the evening with remixes that made every guest want to dance. Meanwhile, loft 604 models handed out free earbuds in the marketplace.

Helmer
The show opened with a pair of flowing white and black plaid pants and a grey asymmetrical blazer. This was just a sample of the patterns and textures to come, which included more plaid, miniature polka dots, feathers, ruffles, elaborate beading, rosettes, and metal embellishments. Joseph infused his collection with drama using sensual reds, hot pink, white, black, vibrant blues and gold. Designs ranged from wide leg pants, elegant evening gowns, and fitted blazers to dramatic, avant-garde statement pieces, including one look that sounded like wind chimes as the model glided down the runway. Mostly set to tango music, the show closed with a live bagpipes performance while a bride and bride walked down the runway, and the audience sat in awe.

Symbiose by Hinda A.
Returning designer Hinda A. showed her newest collection of her label Symbiose, proving that you don't have to sacrifice style for comfort. The collection proved to be an interesting marriage between edgy designs and traditional workwear. Hinda A. added subtle detail to minimalist designs using sequins, gold accents, and sheer and velvet fabrics. The few prints used updated neutral fabrics with bold filigree. Cigarette pants, feminine blouses, and sheath dresses dominated the collection, whose mainly neutral colour palette popped with occasional jewel-toned pieces. This Autumn/Winter 2012 collection reminded us why we love Symbiose.

Sukhoo Sukhoo
Ottawa designer Frank Sukhoo showed off an astounding collection of his label, Sukhoo Sukhoo Couture, before the final break of the evening. Awe-inspiring designs dazzled us in electrifying pinks, blacks, browns, and tangerine. Styled with big, teased updos, shadowy makeup and black lips, models strutted down the catwalk in delicate silk pinstripe and sexy animal print dresses. Capes and two-piece skirt suits were another recurring them in the Sukhoo Sukhoo show, set to electro-dance music. Bright sequins were contrasted by dark sheer ensembles and feather accents while the collection boasted an eclectic mix of pieces, beautifully displaying the incredible range of Sukhoo's talent.

After the show the backstage area was buzzing with excited voices celebrating the success of the individual designers' shows and getting pumped up for the Ottawa Fashion Week UNICEF charity fashion show. Meanwhile Sound of Lions entertained the rest of the crowd with a creamy acoustic set performed by band members Whitney Delion and Will Assaad.

UNICEF Charity Show
Attendees packed the runway room for the final show of the Ottawa Fashion Week A/W 2012 season. It was a bittersweet mood in the room as guests lamenting the end of OFW mixed with an air of excitement as we prepared to watch the OFW UNICEF charity show, Runway for a Better Way. Designers Rachel Sin, Turbine, DeMOYO, Sukhoo Sukhoo, and MMCrystal jewellery provided the ensembles worn by our celebrity models. Solange Tuyishime, an ambassador for UNICEF, began the show by sharing her experience of living in a refugee camp as child and thanking UNICEF for helping her when no one else would. The celebrity models were guided onto the runway by members of the University of Ottawa GGs Men’s Basketball team, dressed in loft 604. Actress Gabrielle Miller, Rosie Edeh of ET Canada, Casie Stewart, and singer Cory Lee wore designs by Rachel Sin. Lianne Liang of CTV Morning Live Ottawa and ballroom dancer TL Rader  and Leesa Bulter wore cocktail numbersby Turbine. Tré Armstrong of So You Think You Can Dance Canada, Olympic silver medalist Elizabeth Manley, Gail McInnes of TDot TV, model Helena-Alexis Seymour, and Solange from UNICEF wore designs from DeMOYO's A/W 12 collection. Finally, Erika Wark of CBC's Steven and Chris donned sequins à la Sukhoo Sukhoo Couture. After the show, Cory Lee premiered her new song “Fashion Show” with an energetic performance on the runway that left guests humming the tune. Ten dollars from each Sunday ticket and each weekend pass went to support UNICEF Canada.

This season of OFW finished with a relaxed wrap party at the Shore Club at the Westin. Guests mingled, ate, drank, and laughed to end what was definitely our best season so far. We hope you've enjoyed our coverage of OFW. Until next season.

^Caresse Ley

Ottawa Fashion Week in Tweets

^WJ

Ottawa Fashion Week Highlights - Day Two

The second day of Ottawa Fashion Week has come to a close and as expected, the shows were phenomenal.  Read our recap of Saturday's highlights below to see what you missed.

Canadian pop star Mia Martina (Stereo Love) was here yesterday to support Ottawa Fashion Week before performing  at Studio Nightclub. The music video for her single “Burning” played in the runway room to get the crowd excited before the first block of shows started.

Tribal Sportswear
Tribal Sportswear started the day off with a casual but sleek collection in their debut show at OFW. The 36-year-old brand had no problem convincing us of their relevance in today's fashion world. Bright pops of red were a constant throughout the show, appearing in the form of turtlenecks, leggings, jacket, and pants. The collection included knit vests, mostly in earth tones, and showcased a great way to add some edge to a regular work wardrobe. Though most of the collection was sleek, Tribal added texture with fur and ruffles. The collection also included a sharp orange jacket as well as a cotton candy pink coat. Tribal stayed true to their name by including several pieces created using a clean and colourful geometric tribal print. The show's energetic finale was set to “Stereo Love” featuring OFW guest Mia Martina.

DeMOYO
The excitement continued with returning clothing label DeMOYO's Fall/Winter 2012 collection, CUSP. Designer Paidemoyo Chideya's latest collection contained lots of deep purple, black, brown, and white. The models wore purple or red heels from Town Shoes, adding a burst of colour. The collection was dominated by beautiful silk evening pieces, stiff popped collars, and sleek lines. One notable fitted gown was made of plum silk, with a square neckline and a handful of loose ruffles falling elegantly from the waist and a collar of black beading. An audience favourite was a white, crocheted lace, drop waist, knee-length dress.  As always, DeMOYO did anything but disappoint the audience with this classy, but quietly edgy collection.

During the break, Erin Saoirse Adair sang folkloric tales with her mesmerizing voice. Adair was a great addition to OFW, showing off just how much talent Ottawa has to offer.

Jana Hanzel and Emilia Torabi Fashion Design Studio
Returning designers Jana Hanzel and Emilia Torabi took us back and forward in fashion this season. The bulk of their collection was inspired by the baroque era with a modern flare. Hanzel and Torabi partnered with Sova Design Millinery to complete the collection. The models' hair was tucked neatly under Sova's attractive hats, which ranged from deep green bucket hats to fascinators. The hats perfectly complimented Hanzel and Torabi's designs, which were eclectic to say the least. Colour is no stranger to Hanzel and Torabi, whose collection included pieces in bright lime and forest green, sky blue, and dark pink. Sheer sleeves, lace, fur, velvet, ruffles, and fitted bodices added texture and structure to the collection. Smokey makeup by Smashbox's National Training Manager, complimented  each look in the collection. Models strutted their stuff down the runway to a vintage chair in which they posed for photographers. With such a variety in their designs this season, Hanzel and Torabi's Fall/Winter 2012 collection will go down in OFW history as one of their best.

ElizBourk
Showing for the second time at OFW, label ElizBourk left audiences in awe with a creative street style collection.  Designer Elise Bourque created a winter wonderland on the runway.  The colour palette was light and airy, composed mainly of whites, greys, and black.  The show kicked off with a white cotton jacket with grey accents and an oversized hood, lined with grey silk and fur trim.  The model wore fur earmuffs to complete the look.  This collection is highly wearable, and included circle scarves, dresses, leggings, and blouses.  The Twittersphere went wild for nearly every piece, and some audience favourites were a pair of sheer leggings with leather knee pads and a pair of tribal printed leggings.  Pops of colour punctuated the collection in the form of vibrant fuchsia and bright blue dresses.  A simple, strapless, purple dress had a convertible flounce that could be worn around the waist, around the chest, or over one shoulder to change the look.  Several models carried massive white balloons down the runway to accentuate this fun, girly collection.

Rachel Sin
Veteran designer Rachel Sin returned to OFW for her fifth season. Her much-anticipated show was very well received by a packed runway room.  Sexy cutouts, lace, sequins, and pieces you just wanted to touch floated down the runway on models with dramatic smokey eyes, red lips, and 40s-style hair. Sin's background in architecture inspires her to create structured pieces that are beautiful but wearable - just as the buildings she designs, they must be functional. The clothes were all neatly tailored and were mostly peach, white, black, and grey.  The show opened with a loose black blazer adorned with fur and black leggings with a tuxedo strip of lace.  Most looks were either dark and dramatic or light and feminine. Sequins were another common theme in this collection. Black sequin pants and a silver and black sequined dress with a high neckline and deep-V in the back dazzled attendees. This collection proved why Sin is always a favourite at OFW.

Providing entertainment during the final break of the evening was the folk duo Black Dogs.  They guided us through the 9 o'clock hour with their soothing voices and catchy guitar riffs on the L'Oreal Professionnel stage.

Turbine
Lisa Drader-Murphy came all the way from the east coast to show her line, Turbine, for the first time at Ottawa Fashion Week.  Turbine has received a plethora of international attention appearing in the celebrity lounges of major events like the Superbowl.  The Fall/Winter 2012 collection was set to music by Lana del Ray, creating a dramatic backdrop for the elegant pieces of Turbine. The label outfitted models from head to toe with clothes, belts, and handbags designed by Drader-Murphy. Black and grey silks and knits draped beautifully off the models. Statement cardigans wrapped extremely femininely around the models but were not unstructured, making clever use of angles to accentuate the female form. The collection featured blouses, long skirts, cocktail dresses, and pants, many of which were complimented by smart leather handbags and wide leather belts adorned with a bow. Sequins were a common way texture was created in the collection, proving that Turbine has something to improve every wardrobe.

Keep following us on Twitter and Instagram (ofwlive) for live updates on today's final shows.

^Caresse Ley