BY JESSICA WEINGARTEN
The 1960s swung into David Pecaut Square last week.
For her spring/summer Pink Tartan collection, Kimberly Newport-Mimran did what she did best – crisp, feminine sophistication with an edge.
The scene was set with a video of a sad-looking girl projected onto the nameplate of the runway, along with audio clips from Andy Warhol films.
A quote from a film, “I had a lot of dates but decided to stay home and dye my eyebrows,” looped on the speakers.
The quote belongs to none other than Andy Warhol’s muse, Edie Sedgwick, who served as Newport-Mimran’s inspiration for the collection.
“[Sedgwick] was a beautiful girl and she had such a short life,” Newport-Mimran told the media. “I loved the idea of showcasing an It Girl from New York City, but done modernly.”
The brand’s signature billowing pleated skirts, crisp white-button ups, prim sweaters and sleek shift dresses were all present, albeit with a twist.
The normally twill skirts were featured in black leather, the button-ups featuring slim laser-cut outs along the bodice and a shift dress in a fluorescent yellow.
A new motif, flowers from Andy Warhol’s pop art paintings, was featured on the knitwear.
The one noticeably absent garment from the collection were what most Canadian women consider a wardrobe staple – bras.
Showgoers had mixed opinions of the model’s visible nipples.
“It was a bit too much [nipple] for my liking,” said MSN.ca lifestyle editor Madelyn Chung.
“Unless it’s a fashion show for a lingerie brand, most models go braless on the runway,” said Natalie Smith, a guest of Toronto Fashion Incubator. “It’s industry standard for a fashion show. Some Canadians just aren’t used to it.”
Newport-Mimran and her husband, Joe Mimran (of Club Monaco and Joe Fresh fame) are Canadian fashion royalty, whose collections are often the most highly-anticipated of the season.
Canadian celebrities such as fashion journalist Jeanne Beker, actress Elisha Cuthbert and Sheridan grad and shoe designer Ron White were all sitting front row at the show.
“The show was fabulous,” said Beker. “The splash of colour and the sharp florals gave spring fashion an edge.”
Pink Tartan is available for purchase at Hudson Bay Company, Holt Renfrew and Pink Tartan’s flagship store on Yorkville Ave. in Toronto.
Watch the show in full below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP27Go8txeY
What showgoers had to say:
A shot from the Pink Tartan show at #WMCFW http://t.co/w2wGTXCb0f
— Toronto Star (@TorontoStar) October 22, 2013
#PinkTartan. #wmcfw @wmcfashionweek pink_tartan @accentcanada @ World of Mastercard Fashion Week http://t.co/AJZcVgFxhf
— Alexis Coronado (@alexisvalerie) October 21, 2013
Slideshow: @PINK_TARTAN prettified 1960s prints in a demure spring 2014 collection http://t.co/PibWwdKmoq
— Toronto Life Daily (@toronto_life) October 22, 2013
Highly anticipating Spring thanks to pink_tartan! Photos by George Pimentel #PinkTartanSS14 cc ascpr… http://t.co/ylLl470gqn
— SoSasha (@SashaExeter) October 22, 2013
A monochromatic palette with pops of neon and Warhol-esque florals walked the runway at @pinktartan. Take a look: http://t.co/rV3RdjLq3B
— FLARE Magazine (@FLAREfashion) October 23, 2013
My God!! When it comes to lady-like style, @PINK_TARTAN owns it. The skirt has new life in this collection. #WMCFW @WMCFashionWeek
— Carcia & Telly (@Her_Castle) October 21, 2013
Full skirt heaven at @PINK_TARTAN. Dying #wmcfw
— Anita (@geekigirl) October 21, 2013
Smitten with the makeup used in the show? Check out Janine Falcon’s Edie Segwick-inspired tutorial to get the look yourself!