Comrags at LGFW FW 2011

"It's just so...craft," a certain Toronto Life intern told me yesterday, on the subject of Comrags. Or did she mean "kraft", in reference to the muted and textured browns and taupes that often take shape in the label's collections? True, natural fabrics and neutrals are definitely common threads, but brights do creep in each season usually in prints. It's handled in such a great way, but I wasn't a fan of last season's somewhat matronly and dated Spring florals. Or most of the collection, in fact. Comrags needed to win me back.

The FW11 collection did just that. But not immediately. The first dress out - a crumply matte black shift - was in such serious need of Static Guard or at least a slip that it failed to make any sort of impression on me. It bunched and stuck to the model's legwear (cute DIY-esque wool stockings with embroidered buttons accenting the ankle). Awkward.

The same stiff crushed fabric seemed to cooperate with the next few models, who sported dresses and skirts in the same, paired with so-so digital-print blouses. Meh. My attitude changed only when heavy black wool shot with silver was introduced. The winter-weight bias-cut circle skirt had miraculous movement despite its thickness, and the belted wrap coat was divine. The fabric had a festive luminosity (hello, holiday parties!) and is a great stand-out in a sea of flat black outerwear.

More silk prints were worked in, and they kept getting better. I loved a vintage-y yellow woodland print, especially as a pussy-bow blouse topping a great pair of wide-leg trousers. The same neckline popped up in other prints as office-appropriate blouses and dresses. While I'd personally opt for sky-high pumps, the polished good-girl looks were finished with the same hand-embroidered tights and modest oxfords.

I lost interest again about two-thirds through (when colour bled to not-rich-enough brown), wondering, if perhaps the show would end on a low note. Not so. A vintage-inspired floral tapestry fabric series was worth the wait. The super-cute jacquard -in both a monotone and full-colour version - were married together in perfect patchwork-quilt-unison in coats, shirts and dresses. An adorable 3/4 sleeve coat over a shimmery gold mini-dress was a big win for the label.

Comrags proved its mettle once again as the loyal best friend of the style-savvy 9-to-5 set. Classic, timeless silhouettes teamed with clever vintage nods form a collection worthy of the water-cooler in-crowd.

Video by Istoica.

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