#WMCFW: Pink Tartan Spring 2015

 Get your hustle on.  Pink Tartan’s Spring 2015 collection took a lot of inspiration from the 1970’s.  Designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran brought the decade to World Mastercard Fashion Week in Toronto with a nod to the disco era.

There were a lot of plunging necklines and jumpsuits.  There were elongated jackets and sharply pleated pants.  I can’t say I was a fan of the high waists on some styles, they made the models look dumpy and that’s quite hard to do.  Swimwear was introduced on the runway, which in the chilly, damp temperatures of Toronto, I wasn’t in the right mind frame to appreciate.

Stark black and white dominated the runway for the first half of the show.  I understand that no matter what the media and buyers claim they want to see in bright colors, they do always make the most buys from a collection from these two shades.  However, this doesn’t make a dramatic presentation.  I perked up when updated graphic prints arrived on the catwalk.  At first glance, the colors and patterns looked like they were a throwback to the 70’s as well.  However, a closer look showed an abstract, modern floral.  The other print I really liked was an over-sized paisley in gigantic foulard print.  I love seeing traditional motifs being re-interpreted and re-mixed.  The freshest way to do that is to change up the scale.

Are you looking to boogie? There was a top and jumpsuit that featured fringe that swayed when the models walked.  You can’t have a 70’s inspired collection and not have a few looks ready for the dance floor… I wonder where Kimberly Newport-Mimran and Pink Tartan were when Studio 54 was open… 

photos by David TW Leung

Read more >>

Toronto Fashion Week: Pink Tartan Fall 2014

Is it cold again?  The cozy looks intended for fall 2014 from the Pink Tartan show at World Mastercard Fashion Week are perfect for today.  Lots of fur, chunky knits and layers of wool came down the runway of Kimberly Newport-Mimran. 

The color palette stuck to the basics of black, grey, white, with accents of camel, copper and red. While the models had big collars, or hoods or fur piled on in multiple pieces, there were many looks of exposed legs and ankles that looked unbalanced.  Of course, that is just styling and not meant to be taken literally.  However, while the short shorts looked chilly, the excess of layers had an unflattering bulky effect on other models.  

The fair isle sweater patterns remind me of my childhood in Toronto winters.  There were several looks featuring slim black cigarette pants.  The contrast trim or seaming on the side was a nice update to the wardrobe basic.  

 The big fur handbag was the accessory of choice.  I guess it gives you the option to hug something for warm if the other 5 layers you are wearing are not sufficient.  My favorite shoes on the Pink Tartan runway were the cap toe heels with the coordinating back ankle strap.

 Maybelline styled the models with a touch of retro 1960's glam with generous amounts of eyeliner and mascara.  The nude lip and cool cheek was to evoke that fresh from the outside cold look.

photos by David TW Leung

Read more >>

TORONTO FASHION WEEK: Pink Tartan Fall 2013

First day of Toronto Fashion Week and one of its brightest labels, Pink Tartan started things off with attitude.  Designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran claimed her muses were "disturbing blondes".  Think Hitchcock's icy, troubled characters or Jessica Lange's creepy nun from American Horror Story.

“Blondes make the best victims. They're like virgin snow that shows up the bloody footprints.”  - Alfred Hitchcock.

The Pink Tartan woman respectfully disagrees.  The opening film clip showed a beautiful blonde who saunters up to a door, but with a huge baseball bat in hand ready to strike.  The Pink Tartan woman this fall is elegant and lethal. She loves luxurious fabrics and is not content to be a wallflower.

Fur, real or faux, was dramatic and worn like a trophy down the runway.  The color palette was a tribute to the 1950's and 1960's pink, purple, royal blue with a darker edge of black.  There was a very pretty digital print that was like an abstract floral as seen through the haze of nighttime lights.  Silhouettes consisted of a lot of fit and flared dresses ending just above the knee.  Hip length jackets and swinging fur coats gave the air of the retro diva of film queens past.

The hair reminded me of Grace Kelley and Catherine Deneuve.  Accessories like tight black leather gloves were perfect for avoiding fingerprints and thick black headbands for women who like to keep everything under control.

View the full collection here:

Photos by David TW Leung

Read more >>

TORONTO FASHION WEEK: Pink Tartan Spring 2013

Vintage style at the sea.  Pink Tartan's runway show at World Mastercard Fashion Week exuded 1950's ladylike chic in pale colors this week.  Sweet embroideries, pretty jacquard, kitten heels, little slanted hats and bobby pins came down the catwalk.

The color palette from designer Kimberly Newport-Mimran was a mix of white, mint, silver, pink and deepened into black and gold towards the end.   While Kimberly was the big design star of her family, her husband Joe has been making a big splash with grocery store collection JOE now in New York.  Talk about Canadian Fashion's true power couple!

Photos by Hing Ching Leung

Read more >>