Colourful creations and charitable endeavours close out LG Fashion Week

TORONTO - Disparate influences from graffiti and street art to the Big Top and dessert were showcased among the new looks for spring/summer 2010 as runway shows wrapped up on the fifth and final day of presentations at Toronto's LG Fashion Week.

Though the week was largely devoted to building buzz and hopefully sales for emerging and established designers, charity was the name of the game for the closing night show, which was devoted to raising awareness and future dollars for individuals in need.

Dare to Wear Love: Fashion and philanthropy converged on the catwalk with an all-star roster of Canadian designers lending their talents to craft one-of-a-kind creations in support of those in need a world away.

Stylewatchers were packed to the rafters of the runway room for the inaugural "Dare to Wear Love" show. Produced by Toronto custom design label Hoax Couture and the Fashion Design Council of Canada, the continent-bridging event saw some two dozen Canadian designers and labels create customized designs from fabrics sourced from Africa.

The event was in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, which delivers funds to grassroots community-based projects working to fight AIDS in Africa.

Each designer was given six yards of fabric with which to turn their vision into creation.

The result was a stunning collection of vibrant colourful prints married with beads, bows and ruffles that spanned the style spectrum from flirty cocktail creations to floor-skimming showstoppers.

Notable Canadian talents also braved the runway in teetering heels and larger-than-life designs, bringing a playful attitude and spirit to their catwalk that pumped up the crowd.

Singer Jully Black strutted her stuff before the cameras, even doing a little booty-shaking in a slick racerback dress.

Toronto New Democrat MP Olivia Chow, wife of federal NDP Jack Layton, let loose in a stunning ruffle-tiered dress with black-and-white prints of children's faces designed by Peach Beserk.

And "eTalk" reporter Traci Melchor channelled 50s era glam with a bold blue and pink number with an asymmetrical tulle lined underlay.

Amid the fun, the social significance of the cause was hammered home with statistics on HIV-AIDS in Africa projected on-screen, and heartwrenching first-hand accounts of meeting impoverished citizens on the continent that Stephen Lewis recounted to a hushed audience.

Backstage after the show, Lewis said he was "moved and overwhelmed" by the amount of effort the designers put into each outfit.

"It was really quite lovely," he said. "I never thought the fabrics would be turned into such memorable moments and it speaks strongly I think to the way in which everything was brought together tonight, that the fashion world would join in helping the African world. I really like that."

Lewis admitted being"highly skeptical" when he first heard about the idea. "But I was wrong, as I so often am," he said, adding they "obviously pulled it off."

Organizers hope to raise $100,000 to benefit the foundation.

Lewis said even a few hundred dollars can transform a community's life, and that the foundation would use the resources to provide food for orphaned kids, books, uniforms and health-care.

Hoax Couture's Jim Searle said they plan to make the fashion show an annual event.