When a fashion show is curated by TrusstClub, trust that you will not be experiencing the show like anything you’ve seen before.

True to form, Post-Vernissage (Ying Gao and Karl Latraverse) have put together an unusual format to showcase their collection for Fall 2011. In fact, the word “collection” is a bit of an understatement, it was more about showing the versatility of a single garment and turning it into a boatload of possibilities. I can see how this concept rings in tune with what Rad Hourani has done previously with his singular outfit that could transform into 10 different looks.

The format of the show was more live art installation than fashion show, where models in pairs were simultaneously changing the way they would wear a caged garment (as a top, a skirt, a bag, a cape, etc). Other models had chairs to sit on which directly faced the audience and some were even using cameras to take pictures. It was a bit difficult to capture the concept in photos and videos, but nonetheless, the entire mood was completely different and had that “avant-garde” feeling that TrusstClub seems to imbue with every project they undertake. Think New Yorks’ Milk Studios’ energy transpired into this single show.

While fascinating to experience for the brief 5-7 mins we had, the versatility of the garments made me think about sustainability for some reason. As I saw Frederic Metz, UQAM’s Design Dean, sitting in the crowds in previous shows, I saw some meaning about being a “true designer.” Designing in the sense that it facilitates the function of a normal product. For example, a shoulder bag was conceived hundreds of years ago to free the hands from a handbag. Such a simple design solution to simply elongate the handles seems sort of silly not to think of it today, but imagine a time where that didn’t exist. Fast forward to Post-Vernissage’s showcase of the caged garment worn in several ways. Isn’t that a design solution? To find multiple functions out of a single item holds true to sustainability, much like the tote bag is the emblem of the eco-friendly movement. I think designers should find ways to make their garments multipurpose, I think Complex Geometries is a great example of that genre. Definitely some food for thought.

Nadya Toto has been around the fashion scene for years and has split her time showing in both Montreal and Toronto Fashion Weeks. This season, I attended my very first show and wasn’t quite sure what to anticipate since I wasn’t all that familiar with the Nadya Toto brand or style.

Even after seeing this collection for the first time, it’s a bit difficult to describe her style as she follows some well-established use of patterns and textures, with a good eye on detail. For fall, Nadya has chosen to stick with a mostly monochromatic palette, with the blacks revealing themselves in textures of lace, ruffles, asymmetrical skirts, and glittery combinations. In the whites, as pure and as soft as snow, cozy knit wears in layers will make you want to bury your face in them and pray that they are made of cashmere. Anything less in quality would be severely disappointing. Most of the looks were perfect for the holiday season of 2011, looking chic and romantic while keeping warm and cozy.

Some numbers were a little questionable or perhaps, I simply think as a designer, they were just fun to make and/or look great on the runway not in real life. Such as the skirts and tops with multiple  flowers appliqués, I have never seen that trend caught on with the public, yet I’ve seen a lot of designers in Montreal who love to work that into their skirts and dresses.

Nadya Toto has looks that work and pretty to look at, but I’m not entirely sold on the collection to actually go out and buy it immediately. It’s a collection that needs to be thought over before purchasing.

Rudsak is a local brand known for its sophisticated leather outerwear collection along with leather accessories. From the promotional ads for its sister collection, Rud by Rudsak, I was actually anticipating a type of RTW  line but it wasn’t the case.

In fact, Rud seems to be competing more on Mackage‘s level of trendy outerwear, with form fitting bubbly down coats and double breasted wool coats in typical Rudsak chocolate brown and occasional khaki green and camel. There were also equally appealing and commercial friendly coats for men that won’t have them hiding in shame.

The original Rudsak coats are mostly tailored for an older crowd with sleek lines, Rud is geared more towards the 20-somethings looking to combine style during the cold wintery months. Whether they’re able to keep warm or not is up for debate. With Canada Goose, used by professionals who work in the arctics, taking the city by storm this winter due to their resilient weather proof coats, at a hefty price tag of $600-700, it would be difficult to justify if Rud by Rudsak would stand up to the challenge of true down coating function. Otherwise, if shoppers are looking for something nice to wear, by all means, Rud does the job.

Above: Mackage RTW Fall 2010, 3/4 sleeve dress in nude.

As I perused a decidedly inviting Mackage sale of their RTW collection, I had realized that I have not bought any clothes since September 2010. That’s like 5 months without shopping for clothes.

Not that there are loopholes in my attempt to resist buying into fashion. My mother over the holidays is totally immune to my self-imposed fashion diet and insisted to buy me clothes as a Christmas present. Over the course of one week I have no idea how many times I must’ve said “No” to her and her attempts to lure me into stores. Unfortunately I lost the battles in Ann Taylor and Black & White Market. Trying on a navy blazer and crisp white shirt, my mother said “Yes, we’ll definitely take this one,” and there were no buts and no’s about it.

So, I came away with a blazer, a new white shirt and a tan sleeveless dress in December. Against my will, I must say that the damage has been minimal.

However, considering that it was not done on my wallet, I still consider that I have gone without buying clothes for 5 months on my own dime. Despite tempations, I’m confident that a full calendar year without shopping for clothes (except bare necessities like underwear and socks; as well as a bridesmaid dress I need buy in royal blue) will be my golden crowning moment of 2011.

The challenge is simple: don’t shop for clothes (dress, shirts, blazers, coats, pants, shorts, tshirts, tops, cardigans, etc) for the rest of the year.

Think of how much money I would save.

There is an ulterior motive to my fashion on a diet: an impending trip to Japan. By far my favorite country to visit. With that I’ve paid the ultimate price in booking hotels, flight ticket, Japan Rail Pass, and leftover money for daily spending. I love Japan more than I love fashion, there I’ve said it. My fashion diet can be throwed out the window if I can spend more time there and exploring the culture and the food. My trip next month will have me in debt until June. In 2012, I may make a celebrating purchase as it is the year I may move away from Montreal for good.

Yes, Dualité will be moving away in the near future. To where, I have yet to see. Ideally I would move to Japan, English speaking fashion bloggers are rare there, and much less are spoken in a tone as critical as mine. So far, we seem to equate Japan with wild and crazy fashions from the streets, where their street fashions were the pioneers of its sort for the longest time. It would be interesting to have a foreign view of Japanese fashion and criticize them where it is due. It must be said though, that criticism in Japan should not be taken lightly, and in fact can be seriously damaging to some effect. But I’m getting ahead of myself. First things first. Live through 2011.

Dear readers,

I have to apologize for not upkeeping this blog as I should have been. It’s been a difficult time for me as I’ve pondered for months whether or not I should continue on this path of fashion coverage. I also have interests in a completely different vertical and it’s been hard to keep afloat above my personal problems.

But I figured that I’ve put a lot of effort (at least in the first two years) in keeping this blog alive with fresh perspective and that interesting news is always around the corner. Thus, I will do my best to cover fashion during these trying times, because I have to admit, when the fashion weeks come around, I get pretty excited. So many apologies to you if you’ve read this far.

By the way, I will be attending Montreal Fashion Week for Fall 2011 and starts in 2 weeks!