Fira&Capa: Greta Constantine Spring-Summer 11 Collection

Image kkopanygin.

Greta Constantine is easily one of the hottest Canadian labels and we were very excited to attend their SS ’11 show. The media was buzzing weeks in advance calling it the “hottest fashion party of the season” and making everyone crave the invitation oh so badly.

We were smart to arrive an hour late, so we’ve only waited in line for 5 minutes (apparently those that were punctual have been waiting for much longer). The venue, although small, looked very trendy from the outside, and even better inside. It was packed with the industry folks, TV personalities, models, and media – all the best-looking people of Toronto. Exposed brick walls and sparse furnishing were very stylish and in-the-moment, but at the same time effortless. We loved huge picture windows overlooking perpetually-busy Spadina and the overall cozy feel of the venue – intimate and very comfortable, as if we all were a part of a mysterious secret society. Charcuterie table by Parts&Labour and very decent wine made the before-show mingling to fly by fast (thanks GC for throwing a party that actually had enough food and drinks for the crowd).

After about an hour of talking, eating, and drinking we all headed upstairs to see the runway show. I was surprised by a very smart use of the limited space that the venue had to offer – the runway was arranged in a snake pattern with three separate “lanes”. The models walked through all three so everyone in the audience had a front-row view. It was really cool to watch the other guests’ anticipation – the photopit was packed, the media had their notebooks out and ready, the socialites were preparing to BBM their heads off…

We knew that Coco Rocha was opening the show, but she still surprised us with her very strong presence and bouncy stroll. She was wearing a pair of rolled-up shorts and a draped white sweater. The outfit was beyond simple and sophisticated at the same time. It felt really light and versatile and easy…
The rest of the collection was soft and beautiful with muted colors and occasional splashes of deep indigo (Erza Constantine) and crimson. We loved the rough fabrics and contrast between shape and texture; we loved the feather accessories that were bold without being overpowering. As usually, I’ve paid close attention to LBDs and found some great, timeless cuts that I am going to try on as soon as they hit the stores (Holt Renfrew on Bloor carries a Greta Constantine). Models’ hair and make-up also made an impression on me – I liked the wet hair look, but wasn’t too taken by the dark-stained lips.
After another glass of wine we’ve left the party taking away a nice little gift bag and lots of great memories and inspirations. It looks like Toronto fashion scene is shaping itself into something very unique!

Text F. Images Capa.