The Joe Fresh show gets crazier every year. This season, poor volunteers formed a human chain around the pristine white runway, all the better to keep the rabid media members trying to snag a seat for the capacity-plus show from trampling it.

It wasn't just the usual suspects the time, either--luminaries like Derek Blasberg (Harpers Bazaar) and Sandra Ballentine (The New York Times), plus Moda Operandi emissaries and New York reps, were rumoured to be among the hoi-polloi to scope the freshest duds from Joe Mimran in advance of the empire heading to New York later this year.

Joe Fresh was the usual madhouse this season, with attendees jostling for a seat and snatching up their pink seating cards with all the gusto of Charlie finding the golden ticket.

The palette of this collection was very, very spring: it was all white, pale pink, tans, and pale yellow. Since it was Joe Fresh, the clothes were very casual and cute, with pinafore frocks, simple cotton blazers, short-shorts, gingham rompers, and slip-dresses.

At the end of each runway show at LG Fashion Week we've tried to head backstage to snag some coveted interviews with the designers. Hey, we're not Fashion Televison, so we usually need to wait our turn (if you know what I mean), but when all is said and done, all of the designers have been gracious enough to give us a little soundbite.

Carlton Brown



Video of the Carlton Brown runway show
Photos of the Carlton Brown runway show
Backstage photos at the Carlton Brown runway show

In part two of our visit with Evan Biddell in his studio, we ask him about the state of the Canadian fashion industry and its unofficial leader Joe Mimran (of Joe Fresh and formerly Club Monaco)



View part one of our visit here.

Ah, Joe Fresh. During the show, Tim leaned over and said, "Should Joe fresh even be showing at Fashion Week?" My thoughts exactly.

As I said in my review of last season's collection, showing the new Joe Fresh duds at Fashion Week is a dangerous play. Sure, some peeps might applaud it as the showcasing of more affordable fashion: surely that's important in these cash-strapped time!

Watch the video of the Joe Fresh runway show here

But by showing these fast-fashion pieces after several high-fashion labels strut their stuff, it throws the clothes in a rather unflattering light in terms of cut, fabric, and innovation.

There's no denying that Joe Mimran, head honcho at Joe Fresh, can do whatever the hell he likes when it comes to fashion in this city. And the fact he's the chair of the FDCC means he can also book prime spots on a Wednesday night for he and his wife to takeover the runway.

But, seriously, as important as it is to promote affordable fashion options right now, there are many who question whether Toronto Fashion Week is an appropriate venue for a brand sold in Loblaws. Just ask Toronto Star fashion scribe Derick Chetty who spent the entire show tonight staring at his crackberry.

The question needs to be asked - Does Joe Fresh belong at Fashion Week?


Previously:

FW Poll #2: Who Doesn't Belong Here?
FW Poll #1: Will She or Won't She?