Toronto Fashion Week: VAWK Spring 2012 “Insectica”

It’s no secret by now that I’m a huge fan of Sunny Fong, so it should come as no surprise that his Spring 2012 presentation for VAWK was my most highly anticipated show at LG Fashion Week. After a Fall 2011 outing that completely blew me away, I couldn’t wait to see what the Toronto-based designer had up his sleeve for his latest collection, titled ‘Insectica’. Finding beauty in creatures like beetles, moths and butterflies (that quite honestly terrify T and me), Fong designed pieces that even entomophobics like us couldn’t resist. Bugs or not, I was enamoured.

Sending both his Resort and Spring 2012 collections down the runway, Fong wowed from the stunning frocks with gold laser cut leather detailing that opened the show to the stunning blush-toned, butterfly-inspired finale dress that closed it. In between was an array of sexy swimsuits, tailored suiting and breathtaking gowns that showed a softer side to the designer than he’s shown to date. While his past work has elicited more usage of the adjective ‘fierce’ on my part than I care to admit, this collection was decidedly less so – but by design. ”I wanted (the collection) to be beautiful,” Fong said post-show. “I don’t think I’ve ever done beautiful, or pretty.” Sounds simple enough, but a look back at his last few collections reveals an aesthetic that’s been more bold and edgy than feminine and soft. The new direction was a pleasant surprise.

The Resort collection was an “experiment”, as he calls it, and clearly one gone right. “Everybody hated it,” Fong said of the gold leather he sourced. “I proved them wrong.” That he did; the gorgeous black cocktail dresses with gold laser cut leather detailing stole the show, and my heart. Having had the pleasure of trying a few of those pieces on during a recent visit to the VAWK studio, I must confess that they’re some of the most exquisite designs I’ve ever donned, even if only for the briefest of moments.

The Spring collection looks just as covetable, too. The architecturally-inspired, office-ready pieces would fit right into my work wardrobe, and would be perfect for those days when I need an ensemble that can take me straight from my day job in finance to an evening event I’m attending as my fashion-blogging alter ego. The rest of the collection requires a slightly more fabulous life than I currently lead though; the cutout bathing suits belong on an exotic island far, far away, while the gowns deserve to be on a red carpet, stat. Should an invite to the Oscars happen to arrive at my doorstep in February, I’ll be giving Mr. Fong a call.

A girl can dream, right?

xx, S