Brrr…there’s a chill in the air and it is not the weather alone causing the temperature drop around the Fashion Week tents.

Robin Kay’s scandalous opening night speech brought cold shoulders and cold stares, but it also brought back “Anonymous”, who is once again attempting to overthrow Toronto’s most talked-about fashion personality via email.  So far he - my reliable source identifies “Anonymous” as a he - is receiving a chilly reception.  I remain unsure of the sophisticated way to handle my knowledge of his identity, so I will wait for what tomorrow brings.

To combat the freeze, I wore my Rudsak wraparound coat and accessorize it with their pleated 3-compartment satchel. The perfect boots? The Ava Button bootie by Fry from Ron White. The outfit should protect me from any cold fronts.  I certainly needed it during Zoran Dobric’s reliably stoic and intellectual lineup, and once again it provided soft comfort during Evan & Dean’s stiff series of appliqued frocks.

One collection that received a warm standing ovation was that of Renata Morales. In fact it was hot, hot, hot. The organza and tulle cocktail dresses told me a story:  that of a scorching summer day with a stylish, sophisticated socialite  who stumbles into a room she never knew existed in her family’s heritage home. Looking for a fan to ease the heat, she discovers a room full of her grandmother’s dresses from 1920. Packed away for generations, they become new garments when unfolded: Rosettes are pressed like a flower preserved between the pages of a book;  pleats play with tucks and folds. Then there were the digitally printed maxi dresses with urban scenes and the homage to Japanese pop artist Yoshitomo Nara. Brilliant and divine, the collection was sophisticated, yet hinted at flirt. Without a doubt, Ms. Morales is Canada’s remarkable fashion innovator. Bravo!

As expected, Rudsak delivered a solid collection of sumptuous black and white leathers, with a sprinkling of fuchsia here and there.

During the show, I noticed a nearly perfect model whom I never seen before. With ruler-straight blonde hair that moves as though she walks with her own personal wind machine, she is sure to be a star. I asked patrons if they knew her  and finally received the answer from a lovely gentleman named Dan Grant, who runs a successful website about the modelling scene in Canada called ModelResource.  Marie-Helene McCormack from Giovanni Montreal is destined for fashion fame and I cannot wait to work with her on a shoot one day.

I noticed something else during Rudsak: an utterly major fashion faux pas. An employee of Canada’s leading fashion specialty department store wore the same outfit she sported the day before! As Canada’s foremost authority on sophistication and etiquette, I considered reporting her to the company president. Behaviour like that is simply unacceptable.  Upon further reflection, I decided to give her a free pass from fashion detention because she usually has a killer style sense.  We’ve all had to suffer a repeat at least once, even me. She probably had a reason for repeat outfits. Nonetheless, quite a scandal!

Gsus Industries is far too casual for my tastes, but they always produce a fun show. With the seriousness lingering from opening night shenanigans and with the sartorial scandal I witnessed, it was necessary to sit back, relax, and enjoy the entertaining show.

I was seated beside the marvelous Marcellous L. Jones, Executive Producer and Editor-in-Chief of The Fashion Insider - a Parisian visitor experiencing Toronto fashion for the first time. He proclaimed the Gsus show a favourite. Bustle was another standout, though with his haute couture background, Monsieur Jones recommended improved research on fit and tailoring. His favourite show of the week? Joe Fresh Style. “I really liked the collection.” He told me. “Then when I found out the prices - under thirty dollars - that’s when I loved the collection.”

Before the Buffalo show, I had the chance to speak with the awe-inspiring Stacey McKenzie, who was supporting the idea of Canadian fashion with a hoser-chic plaid poncho. This season, Ms. Mckenzie has been livening up the runway of L’Oreal Fashion Week from the sidelines, cheering like a stylish varsity squad captain, so I had to ask about the affectionate displays from her first-row seat.

“I’ve been cheering on models that bring a lot of energy to the clothing and to the show. They’re not afraid to have fun, but at the same time be professional and be on-point by showing the clothes in a proper manner. I also cheer them on because normally when there’s a fashion show, everyone sits there and there is no energy from the audience. I like to interact to show those ones, “You look amazing! You feel amazing…and I’m going to let you know!”

The Buffalo show crowd joined Stacey in her cheers from the moment of the first model’s high-energy entrance. He can dance, Canada! The rest each embodied an individual version of chic. We saw Geek-chic, Blue-Collar-Chic, Gossip-Girl-Chic, Rockabilly-Chic, Military Chic, and unfortunately Trailer-Park-Chic. The girls were sassy and the boys insisted on pulling up their shirts. With all of the boys in glasses and bow ties, it seemed like the stylist was emulating Philip Sparks Spring 2008 collection.

My international man of mystery is most definitely a Phillip Sparks man (He would have to be because that is what I would make him wear). I am confident that he is dapper, mature, sophisticated, and very, very wealthy. So wealthy, in fact, that he actually gave me a car. Yes, a car. A car so fashionable, it is the official transportation for the week: a 2009 Lincoln MKS. He is also thoughtful because he provided a driver. How did he know that I have always wanted a car and driver? I do love my Vespa, but a car and driver suits my sophisticated lifestyle. Is it possible to love someone based purely on gift-giving abilities? If so, I am definitely in love.