By Gail McInnes
On April 24 over 1,000 of Toronto’s fashion finest flocked to the opening night of the ELLE Show at the Direct Energy Centre at Exhibition Place for the ELLE Canada Gala to benefit the Toronto Fashion Incubator (TFI). While sipping on wine by Vin de Pays d’Oc, gala attendees got the first glimpse at ELLE Canada’s first ever ELLE Show, which opened to the public the next day.
Hosted by eTalk’s exquisite Tanya Kim (left) the event raised an estimated $40,000, which will benefit the non-profit Toronto Fashion Incubator. The evening began with a wine tasting reception hosted by Vin de Pays d'Oc, followed by a delicious VIP dinner catered by Centre Plate. Before enjoying the New Labels® runway show, guests bid on silent auction items and shopped at fashion and beauty boutiques such as Jessica Jenson and Mimi + Me.
Montreal-based Eugenia Leavitt of Eugenia Designs (right) was declared the 2008 winner of the ELLE Canada TFI New Labels® Fashion Award, receiving a prize package valued at $25,000, including cash and a one-page feature in ELLE Canada magazine. The show also featured finalists Lara Presber, Adrienne Butikofer and miss rowe by Ashley Rowe.
TFI New Labels® is a national design competition for new fashion designers, which launched in 1992. The judging process took place over a six-month period. This year’s panel of judges included Nathalie Atkinson; Kathy Cheng, director of marketing and business development, Wing Son Garments Ltd.; Canadian designer and TFI President David Dixon; Mary Jo Looby, owner MJL Retail Consulting; and Rita Silvan, editor-in-chief, ELLE Canada, who was head judge.
Additional gala sponsors included Vin de Pays d’Oc, P&G Beauty, Rowenta, Nine West and Salon Daniel.
Runway photos: Paul Toogood, Gail McInnes
Reception photos: Tom Sandler
Below are images from the inaugural ELLE Canada gala benefit for TFI
