One would have to be the ever-beloved polydactyl cat to count the number of times I've discussed the inadequacy of support for Canadian fashion designers in this city. So yesterday evening's Night Out with Canadian Fashion event at Eleven Boutique was a more than welcome change.

The diminutive shop on Cumberland is home to an all patriotic procession of Canadian design, with last night's event celebrating the latest collections from Lundstrรถm, David Dixon, Joeffer Caoc, Obakki and Karen McClintock.

It was a wonder then, or maybe it wasn't, that guests were a generation, or two, older than most of the fashion personalities that so vocally proclaim the neglect of homegrown design. Sure, some of the designers aren't exactly considered pioneers of innovative contemporary design but others were, I swear.

Obakki worked around a bedrock of perfectly soft desert-coloured maxi skirts, a forever soft mid-thigh leather skirt and sleeveless camel May jacket, imagine the perfect canvas for some of fall's too-bold pieces. While Joeffer Caoc stood nebulously tall with a cocoa leather skirt, hips restrained with a row of thick elastic bands around the backside and basic black dresses with holy placed lattice-work were everything but sinless.

Having a little trouble pulling myself away for the night, the YYZ magazine and designer catalogue kept my late-night company instead.

Additional Photos

Photos by Jesse Milns