Sunny Fong's VAWK at Toronto Fashion Week

By Chris Jancelewicz Posted Oct 20th 2009 05:07PM

It's that time of year again, when Canada's fashion elite descend on Toronto's downtown core for another week of preening and judging. As I walk into the newly-renovated Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) - which looks fabulous, by the way - the blaring music nearly punctures a hole in my eardrum.

Thankfully they sit me right next to the Shaquille-sized speaker to ensure I won't be able to hear anything. But with such fashion bigwigs around me like ELLE Canada Editor-in-Chief Rita Silvan and the FDCC's Robin Kay, I'm sure there are some juicy convos to be heard. Anyway, I remind myself, I'm here to watch, not listen.

The opening runway show for 2009's Toronto Fashion Week is Sunny Fong's line, VAWK. Fong won the second season of 'Project Runway Canada', and has enjoyed some considerable exposure since his easy amble to victory. Fong's stuff was always simple, accessible, and impeccably made. It seems that trend continues for his Spring/Summer 2010 collection.

With a scant 12 pieces in his collection, expectations were high that he would blow it out of the park with some intricately-crafted innovations. Maybe it's just me, but it felt like a bit of a let-down. The majority of the outfits were beige or cream or white. Bleh.

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VAWK Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

Sunny Fong: Opening show at Toronto Fashion Week 2009

Getty Images North America

VAWK Spring/Summer 2010 Collection

Sunny Fong: Opening show at Toronto Fashion Week 2009

Two vibrantly-coloured red dresses came out about midway, and they were a literal shock on the eyes after the sea of beige. That said, there was a full-length coat that triggered images of an undercover detective (and it was uber-sexy), and the things that Fong accomplished with the leather articles were astounding. In particular, there were two pieces that involved sheer tops with leather appliques placed on top, an impressive feat to say the least.

Also worth noting is Fong's choice of models - one who was full-sized, and another who couldn't have been younger than 30. Kudos to him for showing a bit of variety; most burgeoning designers don't have the cojones to even attempt it. It was actually quite a sight to behold when the audience heads all did a collective double-take at the full-sized model. Yes, folks, there are people out there who aren't naturally 99 lbs.

All in all, a seemingly modest effort from Fong, one that matches his appearance on 'PRC' to a T - subdued, under-the-radar, but still strangely interesting and endearing.