ARTWear 2009

What better way to spend a Friday night in Calgary than hob-nobbing with some of the city’s elite in one of the most beautiful venues in town, at the award winning Hotel Arts. The seventh annual ARTwear fundraiser gala in support of The Art Gallery of Calgary was the place to be on Friday, November 6, and if you missed it, you`d better bookmark it on your calendar for next year already.

The evening included a fashion show, full of brio, featuring clothing from various hot boutiques around town as well as a Fashion Trunk Show Auction and Silent Auction, with a wide range of goodies to be had for the highest bidder.  All of the proceeds of the event, including ticket sales and auction profits went to The Art Gallery of Calgary`s renowned education and public programming, where school children from Kindergarten to Grade 12 can attend hands-on curriculum-based art education programs, giving students the opportunity to understand and appreciate contemporary art, interact with artists and express themselves through art as well.

To begin, VIP ticket holders were treated to a reception at The Art Gallery of Calgary, where they had the opportunity to enjoy a Wearable Art fashion show put together by the legendary Dee Fontans and students at the Alberta College of Art and Design. Following the reception, attendees were whisked off to the Hotel Arts to revel in the rest of the evening’s celebration.

The runway show at Hotel Arts, hosted by Calgary’s fashion divas, Judy Gabriel and Jill Belland, began with an introduction by Martha Hart from the Owen Hart Foundation, one of the event sponsors. Ms. Hart’s poignant address noted how important education is and how particularly underfunded the arts are in our school system, making the nights event all the more important, as all students, including her artistic son, should have access to the arts, as they are “a window into the mind and heart of the artist,” filling a desire and need to create and to appreciate art.

Finally, fashion director, Lu Kapp, was the MC for the show, enlightening the audience with a snippet of what was to come, stressing the importance of supporting local creative minds and retailers, particularly during these tough economic times.

The programme itself began with a much anticipated exclusive line from local designer and Project Runway Canada season two contestant, Adejoké Taiwo, who created a special collection designed especially with the night’s show in mind. Taiwo’s exceptionally beautiful clothing can be worn in more than one way and feature an incredible array of texture, colour and prints.

Gold, silver, black and green, crocheted knits, chain and chiffon, intermingled on the runway during Taiwo’s collection. A few pieces that stood out were a delightful crocheted caplet with chain detailing worn over a silver dress with gold embellishment, a stunning gold and black evening dress worn over a green chiffon blouse, and ending with a striking gown in black and gold highlighted by a wonderful train and again with accents of the green chiffon.

Other retailers represented on the evening’s runway were Bloke Clothing, Azul Couture, Mealan, Boutik, Crabapple Clothing Company, Pink Sugar, Primitive Couture, and Amo Luxury Bags.

So what can Calgarians expect for the coming season in fashion according to ARTwear? Colour, colour and more colour! As well as metallics, exquisite detailing and swanky clothes for women and men.

Bloke and Boutik presented spectators with a selection of looks to be had for the fashionably distinguished gentlemen in our city.  The colour to be had for men this season was definitely royal purple. Both boutiques offered sweaters, vests, dress shirts and accessories in the majestic colour. Other staples for every man’s wardrobe included chic jeans, knitted sweater vests, sporty jackets and fitted blazers.

Highlights from the women’s collections included an emerald green party dress with a deep V neck and black lace and tulle accents at the collar and hem from Azul; and a pair of red and blue plaid pants worn with a grey t-shirt and an amazing short sleeved tan coat, with a belted ruffle detailing at the elbow from Mealan.

From Boutik, the audience was presented with a gorgeous empire waisted bubble dress, black on top with a sequined bottom over tan satin, as well as a hotter than hot pink single strap mini-dress with folded pleated detailing at the neckline.

Crabapple Clothing Company’s collection included a gorgeous chainmail dress with built in necklaces and a very wearable teal coloured sweater dress with black stripe details and a cowl neckline. On the other hand, Pink Sugar’s colour of the day was eggplant and featured a dress with leather epaulets, leggings and other accessories in the colour but the piece de resistance from this collection was most definitely a full skirted strapless gown with a tan sweetheart-necklined bodice and a striped skirt in tan, eggplant, plum and fuchsia.

Finally, the most colourful collection of the night had to be from Primitive Couture with the presentation of urban bohemian lines. Vibrant sweaters, jackets and vests were layered over brilliant dresses worn with tights and leather boots, accessorized with fur hats, a multitude of necklaces and fingerless gloves.

In the end, the runway show at ARTwear 2009 contained fun pieces, easily wearable throughout this winter season, so be sure to check out the various boutiques included in the show, as well as Adejoké Taiwo’s website, www.adejoke.com for more amazing looks.

ARTwear 2009 proved to be a great way to spend an evening out in Calgary. In addition to mingling with Calgary’s most fashionable, it was a noble way to splurge on a worthy cause, art and art education.

Models + Hair + Make – Up : Artist Within

Words by Sandra Cross Bussoli.

Photos by David Austin & Faby Martin © 2009.