![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.luxsure.fr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/philip-sparks-fw11.jpg\" "\\"philip-sparks-fw11\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\nA capacity crowd made up of Toronto’s biggest fashion insiders
\nsqueezed their way to the sixth floor of Toronto’s historic Borroughes
\nBuilding.
\ntheir way towards the back room, they jostled for position with
\niPhones and Blackberries in one hand, champagne glasses and oversized
\nleather bags in the other. All eager to catch a glimpse of what has
\nbecome the unofficial start to Toronto’s Fashion Week – the highly
\nanticipated Philip Sparks Tailored Goods Inc.
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\nEarly mid-20th century skates, toboggans, snowshoes, skis, and
\nwildlife tapestries
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\nThe back room of the sixth floor had been transformed into a wintry
\nscene out of what could arguably have been a rather fitting 1930s
\ndepression\/post-depression era Canada. The models, bundled up and
\nrosy-cheeked, passed bails of hay and simulated snowbanks as they
\nwalked the hardwood runway to a captivated crowd. The intense
\ncavalcade of incandescent lights however, showered down enough heat to
\nmake it feel more like the Florida Everglades than the Canadian
\nShield.
\n<\/a>Masculine elegance, both in men’s and womenswear, has been a major
\ntrend in several of the Milan, Paris, and New York City FW11
\ncollections. It looks as though it’s found its way to Toronto. “My
\ninspiration? Canadian winter leisure activity,” explained Sparks
\nafter the show. The label is staying true to its nostalgic vintage
\ndetailing and classic tailoring, while pulling inspiration from the
\ngreat Canadian outdoors and outdoor activities that have helped define
\nCanada as a nation and a people. The check, plaid, tweed, and
\nherringbone patterns, the broad collared square-shouldered outerwear,
\nwool suiting – they gave off a 1930s vibe with that contemporary
\nPhilip Sparks twist. The signature outerwear featuring mountain sheep
\nshearling collars, scarves, mittens and hand muffs were a huge hit.
\nAs was one distinctive maple leaf photo print cotton sateen cocktail
\ndress.
\nJeans lined in plaid flannel, what a brilliant idea! No more long
\nunderwear next winter and roll the pant cuff
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\nfor a great effect. The high gorge three-button wool suits? Not for
\nme, I’m a conventional two-button kind of a guy. Other men’s
\nfavourites included the geometric Ontario blanket scarf, all the
\nmountain sheep collared outerwear, the flecked wool herringbone trench
\ncoat, the cream hand knit fisherman sweater, the plaid flannel shirts,
\nand the footwear. Equally impressive were the women’s outerwear,
\nplaid cotton pin-tucked shirtdress, maple leaf blouse, and pleated
\nskirts.
\nAll of Philip Sparks’ clothing and accessories are proudly made in
\nCanada by specialized manufacturers, leather workers, and knitters.
\nSparks has succeeded in proposing a FW11 collection that does not
\nsacrifice style for function or vice versa. Dressed in Philip Sparks,
\nwe will stay warm during the coldest of Canadian winter days, but will
\nnot look bulky. Ultimately, the Canadian knows winter best. <\/p>\n