Dr. Valerie Steele is an inspiring fashion academic. The FIT curator has a new exhibition and book on Gothic style and luxury sunglass boutiquie ILORI celebrated it by bringing Dr. Steele to Toronto. ILORI also created a Dark Angels sunglass collection, so I tried on a pair of Loree Rodkin sunglasses while speaking with the guest of honour.

Valerie spilled secrets from her job. She said the most common misconception about her work is that its all great fun. Most people forget she also has to deal with working within a school, managming HR, and other managerial demands. How does she get ideas for future projects? Its an intuitive thing; she likes to focus on what she feels is coming next in fashion. For instance, when she was working on this exhibit she went to see the Dior show – the one with the blood - and she was hopping up and down in her seat, thrilled that her instinct was validated.

I made a point of visiting the exhibition when I was in New York for the shows, and it was indeed fantastic, dark, and glamorous.