Fall/Winter 2008

Day FOUR

Kate Somers (Ford) opening Pink Tartan
photo: Maja Hajduk

It should come as no surprise that Kate Somers opened the most anticipated show of L'Oréal Fashion Week.

Pink Tartan and its casting agent, Paola Palozzi-Fullerton, are revered for delivering consistently strong lineups; ones that combine the most promising new models (as Somers was when she was first cast for this show a year ago) with the most solid and reliable runway options (like Jessica Lewis, who closed the show, and is also featured in the look book).

Following each season, this is the show international scouts email me about to learn more.

Getting into this label's lineup is a big deal.

Following Somers, this year's "Pristine Punk" inspired collection:


Tegan Dearing (Elmer Olsen), Kelsey Van Mook (Next)
photo: Maja Hajduk


Stephanie Shiu (Next), Stefanie Hill (Elite)
photo: Maja Hajduk


Bojana Reljic (Ford), Breanna Sabo (Elmer Olsen)
photo: Maja Hajduk


Irina Funtikova (Elite), Stefanie Nazoyan (Giovanni)
photo: Maja Hajduk


Kai (Sutherland), Tamara McDonald (Elmer Olsen)
photo: Maja Hajduk


Sydney Edmonds (Sutherland), Leah Christ (Liz Bell)
photo: Maja Hajduk


Ainsley McWha (Next), Elise Gatschene (Elmer Olsen)
photo: Maja Hajduk


Stephanie R (Sutherland), Courtney French (Ford)
photo: Maja Hajduk


Lee Dares (Giovanni), Jessica Bakota (Giovanni)
photo: Maja Hajduk


Natasha Yaroslava (Ford), Jessica Lewis (Elmer Olsen)
photo: Maja Hajduk



Lisa Porter's star continues to rise.

The B&M model was photographed by Christopher Wadsworth for Evan Biddell's debut collection, then featured in the video that opened L'Oréal Fashion Week Monday, before walking for the winner of Project Runway Canada.

Later that evening the 5'9" redhead was back to walk for Joe Fresh.

Tuesday had her returning to the tents to close Lewd's Toronto debut.

But Thursday it was Nada Yousif's turn to take advantage of the remarkable presence Porter brings to a runway.

The Newmarket model opened and closed for Yousif's sophomore collection, bringing to Toronto the Parisian grace and style that makes her so popular in the French capital.


Lisa Porter (B&M) opening and closing Nada Yousif
photo: Maja Hajduk


Meet Leah Christ.

The Lizbell/Ford model flew in with Evan & Dean, for the design duo's Tuesday show, which she opened and closed.

Two days later the 5'10" West Coaster was booked as a last-minute add for Pink Tartan.

Welcome to Toronto, Leah!


Leah Christ (Lizbell) for Pink Tartan and Evan & Dean
photos: Maja Hajduk (left) and Matthew Lyn (www.matthewlyn.com)



Another one of those casting coups that made this fashion week so memorable was the appearance of Robyn Sinclair.

The Toronto native - and current #40 on Models.com - flew in exclusively for Rudsak.


Robyn Sinclair (Sutherland) for Rudsak
photo: Maja Hajduk



Well hell, if I had known Rena Donaldson was going to be available I would have tried to book her.

The Mode Model flew in as part of an exclusive engagement with Calgary's Paul Hardy, along with a crew of other Western Canadian girls.

Sadly I didn't know until I spotted her backstage, and by then I was between two other shows that needed my attention.


Rena Donaldson (Mode) for Paul Hardy
photo: Maja Hajduk



Samantha Ypma (Mode), Kasey Smith (Mode, Giovanni)
Heather White (Mode, Giovanni), Danielle Knudson (Mode, Sutherland)
photos: Maja Hajduk


I have to apologize to Next's Teisha.

I love the casting process, putting together cohesive, complementary lineups for designers. I love meeting the new models, and catching up with the ones I already know. I love putting life into inanimate fashion. Models rule!

But to be completely honest, after sitting through more than 13 hours of castings this season, by the end I was growing a little weary.

Then Teisha came in, and reminded me what it is I love so much about fashion week.

So to Teisha, sorry for making you walk up and down hallways when I already knew you were in two of the shows. It was selfish, but at that point I needed some inspiration, and you're a star.

More from Nada Yousif's show:


Teisha (Next)
photo: Maja Hajduk



Bea Rose (Ford)
photo: Maja Hajduk



Tamara McDonald (Elmer Olsen)
photo: Maja Hajduk



Claire Oleson (Sutherland)
photo: Maja Hajduk



Courtney French (Ford)
photo: Maja Hajduk



Lauren Piatkowski (Elite)
photo: Maja Hajduk



Lydia Nyilasi (Next)
photo: Maja Hajduk



Rebecca Hardy (Sutherland)
photo: Maja Hajduk