I simply adore analyzing gala outfits, but I like it best when everyone adores mine. Thanks to Katya Revenko’s ultra-wide Vinona pants, I felt like the spiritual fashion sister of Katherine Hepburn. A sequinned tank was a perfect complement.

The partnership of Elle Canada and the Toronto Fashion Incubator is a marvelous match; not only did we get to eat a lovely chicken dinner and sip wine, we also got to shop at the booths, test new beauty products, and bid at the silent auction.

The Fashion Incubator’s New Labels Competition was so exciting; I didn’t envy the judges. We saw four such distinct points of view, each one executed with a lot of care, it almost felt unfair to compare them. Which is strange, because I usually adore comparing things - but somehow I just didn’t feel quite myself. Perhaps it was all the Pays d’Oc.

Each show started with a brief video introduction from the designer. It was a wonderful chance for the audience to get to know these young designers better and put a face to the fashions.

Lara Presber presented strong and feminine women ready to take flight; vintage motoring accessories gave satiny dresses drive.

Speaking of satin, shiny fabrics were the only unifying theme that all four of the designers shared.

Eugenia Leavitt seemed shy and sweet in her video, and the description of mountains of multicoloured fabric rosettes was a premonition of things to come. Yet Eugenia managed to turn the cutesy, crafty rosette into something fashionable. Her cocktail dresses were ultra-feminine and the colour scheme kept it from looking over-embellished. Still, the dress that resonated with me most was a simple white sack dress with assymmetrical pleats - and no rosettes!

Adrienne Butikofer’s video was just like the designer in person; she is natural and inspired and easygoing. Accessorized with her trademark Caninja headgear, her collection evoked the archetypal Canadian girl - somehow both practical and sexy, and with a quirky sense of humour.

Ashley Rowe’s collection was high-fashion and daring. Skinny leggings-pants worn stretched over the pumps, great shaggy woolen coats, and relentlessly black. Her video explained that she was inspired by her mother’s sense of style. I wish I met her mother. She is definitely my favourite type of style icon - the utterly dedicated.

I simply could not guess which of these designers were going to win, though of course I had my favourite. At the end for the final procession, all the designers came out once more with their collections, except for Ashley Rowe and I wondered if that was a clue?

Luckily, I enjoy surprises. When I found out that Eugenia Leavitt took the award I was really pleased. Her aesthetic is attractive and wearable and I know that Canadian women will love her dresses.