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Airoldi

The prolific Jean Airoldi's 25th collection of women's ready-to-wear offered seductive, modern clothing for the seductive, modern woman. His collection focused on daywear in silk, leather and wool separates, highlights of which included feminine pleated blouses in sheer silk with sexy wool mini skirts, fitted grey wool pants with silk jersey turtlenecks, diagonal-hemmed leather pencil skirts with more sheer blouses underneath … power suits?
   A power suit comeback? Maybe—but Airoldi has had 10 years’ design experience and has time and again proved his ability to put a new spin on something generally thought of as passé. Suit jackets were done in soft hourglass silhouettes but the shoulders were strong and defined. Little details like the rows of cameo buttons on the blouse and jacket cuffs, sparkling crystal beadwork on pant cuffs and wide leather sash belts added to the updating of this ’80s’ fashion favourite.
   Although daywear-oriented, Airoldi had some elegant eveningwear under his sleeve as well. The eveningwear set included a form-fitting black jersey dress with a ruffled and chopped fringe off-the-shoulder collar and a beige jersey dress with a knee-length gradual hem that fell into a train with soft, gatherings at the hip.
   Outerwear was also included long beige cashmere coats with fur collars and silk leopard-print lined minks that were long and sweeping. Airoldi had a lot of movement in his outerwear in particular, utilising fabrics and materials that were both practical and easy-to-wear. This makes Airoldi quite suitable for the busy, active working woman who always has fashion in mind.

A success? You bet.

At the end of the week, the general feeling was that something great had been accomplished. Virtually unknown designers were able to display their work to media from across the United States and Europe, new Canadian fashion trends were shared and Canadian fashion was able to leave a mark on the international fashion stage. Homage was paid to the notable Québec designers, award-winning designers were celebrated and new labels were tested and were well received. 'Cool Fashion from a Cold Country' showed that a country that spends most of the year under snow not only knows a thing or two about fall and winter fashion, but knows how to be stylish, creative and innovative as well. Not bad at all! Samantha Potes

Samantha Potes is Toronto correspondent for Lucire.

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