Every year CASA Cares, a non-profit student organization of Concordia’s John Molson School of Business, organize a fashion show event where all proceeds are donated to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Since the fashion show’s inception they have raised over $30,000 for the hospital.

In their latest edition called “Temptations,” a slew of local designers lent student models their designs to strut them on the runway. I took photos of the event and you’ll have to forgive my poor photographic skills, you can’t do much on an automated Canon! As 9:15pm rolled around, the lights finally dimmed and the show started. What’s interesting of these student run shows were the choreographies the models produced. Some were fun and quirky like when they presented a collection for Kensie Girl and the girls bopped their hips along, winked and gasped at the crowd.

The first half of the show I wasn’t too impressed with the designs but once intermission was over, I think everyone in the audience relished the second half. Aqua Di Lara, Dinh Ba, Blush, and Rush Couture had all made a great impression.

For Aqua Di Lara, the signature sexy cutouts of the monokinis made any girl look good, there were also a couple of Qiss Qiss’ mint green bikinis too. I recognized Dinh Ba’s Spring Collection and it was a little strange to see something I’ve already seen 6 months prior, I had a quick thought of how “old” this collection was already, but it’s brand new to the public. Blush lived up to its name especially when the bodies of well sculpted 20 year olds were wearing skin tight boxer shorts.

The best show of the night was the old 1950-60′s feel of Rush Couture, with the men wearing fedoras and tailored pinstripes and the women wore long lustrous, backless gowns. Set perfectly into a Michael Buble atmosphere, it was worth the while to wait for such a fun ending.

Montreal is a city with a particular focus on DIY (do it yourself) indie artists, organizing a range of shows and festivals to celebrate and support their local artists. Ascension 2007′s lineup shows an eclectic mix of designers with distinct approaches. From painted on hoodies, to buttery soft leather, to fun-loving jazzed up tshirts, the line is blurred as to what consists of contemporary Montreal fashion.

Here are the designers showcasing their collections next week:

White Label – Leather accessories and chic clothes
Anomal Couture – Finely tuned tailoring
Posch – The label that brings you the popular “I <3 Kyoto” tshirts
Mauve Naïf – Hand painted geometric unique hoodies
Station8 – Cool and relaxed menswear

Pre-sale tickets are $12.00 at Masai, so get them while they’re still available. It’ll be held at 9PM.