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   The proof that the organization is achiev­ing its goals can be seen in the success of Canadian designers such as Dean and Dan Caten (DSquared²) in Milano and Paul Hardy at New York’s Bryant Park. ‘The continuing growth of Toronto Fashion Week, now entering its seventh season, continues to build upon past success with the highest number of Canadian designers showing to date,’ said FDCC president, Robin Kay.
   The five-day fashion extravaganza incorporated the Fashion Exports Awards, collaboration shows such as Fashion Nation (a show celebrating the creations and contributions of Canada’s aboriginal designers), Fur Rhythms: Furworks and Design Network (featuring fur-inspired designs by notable Canadian designers Dominick Bellissimo, Zuki, Lida Baday, and Paul Hardy who use fur as their muse) and Fashion Mission: Montreal–Toronto (a special group fashion show featuring designers from Québec, including Yves Jean Lacasse for Envers, Carla Romagnoli and Body Bag).
   In recognition of the growing friendship and economical and cultural exchange between the cities of Milano and Toronto, Missoni, the world-renown design house, staged a 50th anniversary retrospective show at the Liberty Grand on Wednesday, March 24. Toronto Mayor, David Miller, presented a special Toronto Fashion Week award to Missoni for the house’s ‘out­standing contributions to fashion over the last half-century.’
   As with these endeavours, we were only able to attend a representative number of shows during the week; and as is always the case, there were shows that were hits and others that were misses. One of the biggest hits of the week in our eyes was the Rocolat show by Janet T. Planet. Ms Planet’s collection of accessible and wearable design art was inspired by ‘women who rock.’
   ‘Music is a huge part of my life!’ she wrote in her programme. ‘Whether I am doing creative work or engineering work, walking, relaxing or sleeping, I am constantly listening to music. Particularly, I am inspired by women singers who are able to articulate beautiful, empathetic thoughts. To style these artists is my way of giving back. By tuning in to their creative force, I can then design clothes that amplify what their music says to me.’
   Her March 25 installation at Gallery Neubacher during Toronto Fashion Week, sponsored by Nestlé Aéro, was a farewell to the Toronto fashion scene and a celebration of her upcoming move to Los Angeles. This collection by Ms Planet was modelled around the use of chocolate and the influence of 12 women musicians, including Peaches, Madonna and Nelly Furtado. Each ‘Rocolat’ woman was chosen for her tremendous creativity, personal style, inner strength and ability to rock. Several pieces in the Rocolat installation were inspired by women she had previously designed and styled for, including Bjork, Emm Gryner and Alex Pangman.

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TOP: Pink Tartan. ABOVE, LEFT AND BELOW: Designs by Janet T. Planet featuring garments in chocolate. The last one shown was created for Björk.

‘The continuing growth of Toronto Fashion Week, now entering its seventh season, continues to build upon past success with the highest number of Canadian designers showing to date’