Cocktails, anyone? Katrina Tuttle serves mix of colourful, flirty dresses

TORONTO - The runway was awash with fuchsia, turquoise and bright yellow as Halifax designer Katrina Tuttle served up a rich blend of flirty cocktail creations, continuing the trend toward bold hues on Day 3 of Toronto's LG Fashion Week.

From strapless short dresses, asymmetrical, one-shouldered minis and smooth, tailored sheaths, the 21-year-old amped up her designs with soft ruffle accents and pleating adorning straps, accentuating necklines and cascading from collars.

More dramatic yet fine-tuned detailing was seen in a pair of creations closing out the show that boasted a frothy mix of embroidered flowers and wisps of feathers and peek-a-boo tulle underlay.

Prints transitioned from tie-dyed silks to oversized florals, shimmering squares and oversized circles. Dual-tone panelling on tucked and folded strapless numbers contrasted well with pairings of fuchsia and pale pink as well as turquoise and sky-blue shades.

With the exception of some floor-skimming numbers, the collection was dominated by shorter dresses and slim-cut hemlines.

While Tuttle's runway collection was largely a showcase of dresses, there were a few form-fitting separates on display, including cigarette-slim trousers and three-quarter pants as well as round-collar pleat-accented jackets.

Tuttle said while the clothes presented feature a more sexy silhouette, they still keep elements of classic looks.

"I like to bring an edge and something unique to each of my pieces, so I wanted to take really feminine details that almost have a little bit of fantasy or whimsical in them and fuse them with classic silhouettes," Tuttle said in a recent interview.

"So you have a piece that's classic, and that's going to keep an element of timelessness, but that you still have something interesting and something a little more expressive."

Fashion Week continues Wednesday with collections from Sears, Pink Tartan and Joe Fresh Style.