Mass Exodus Fashion

I attended my first fashion show as a journalist earlier this week, invited by the young up and comer Eleanor Busing of Mulle (there should be an umlaut above the u in Mulle, but I can't figure out how to make the two floating parallel dots of the 'diacritical mark' appear).

Mulle's first line presented as part of the Ryerson Graduation Collection entitled Mass Exodus 2006, featured a sophisticated array of modern luxury garments in all natural fibres. Their most acclaimed item, the navy silk trench coat with silver grommets and harness detailing around the empire line is a juxtaposition of masculine tailoring and feminine seam detailing. If I was a more sophisticated photographer, I would have better images to show for my two hours at the foot of the catwalk.

But fashion photography is quite complex. There is actually skill required to predict when a model will pause, when she will turn her back to you, or when the lighting will abruptly dim, turn to strobe-disco, or what standard procedure should be followed when a large-headed person randomly crouches in the aisle for a prolonged period, obstructing your entire view of the stage.

Bad photography aside, witnessing the unfolding event, was a truly unique experience. There was a palpable level of frenetic anticipation in the theatre, as for those with a passion for fashion, the presentation was the equivalent to a sports fan witnessing the finals of a major tournament. Edge of your seat excitement was not what I expected, but with every alteration in lighting cues or musical backdrop, the assembled crowd would shift with collective bated breath, preparing themselves for the next bevy of models to emerge from the wings.

The sentimental favourite collection of the night featured tiny girls in princess dresses; and in stark contrast to the coos of appreciation for the embodiment of innocence in layers of shimmery fabric, the latex fetish-inspired outfits with strategic cut-outs featuring below-the-belt cleavage, received the loudest audience response.

This journalist hopes that this particular trend will remain on the catwalks, and that fashion buyers in the audience will remember the adage, spandex is a privilege, not a right, when they consider adding this fashion forward 'peak-a-boo' concept to next season's offerings. Canada may be a progressive nation, but even we are not prepared to see the sartorial offerings of Amersterdam's red light district worn by shoppers in the produce section at Loblaws, not just yet.