It was bound to be a busy evening, but my Fashion-Mafia car and driver made everything smooth and simple.

First, I drove up to Eglington and Avenue for the opening of trés chic new boutique, Magnolia, where I was introduced to jewellery designer Rita Tesolin, headwear designer Lori-Anne Krausewitz, and saw good friends fashion designer Lucian Matis, and photographer Arline Malakian.

Magnolia owner, Juan Carlos, introduced me to a superb Spanish label, Hoss, but his store excels with a curatorial eye for Canadian design from Matis, Arthur Mendonça, and Izzy Camilleri. As for the store itself, the wonderful Mr. Juan Carlos said it best:

“The ambience is very cosy; it just invites you to stay, not just to come, buy, and get out. Stay, take as much time as you want, admire the pieces. Fashion is just incredible. You can do so much with fashion. Step back, admire it. If you love it, get it, then come back!”

I will definitely be back to Magnolia since I could not stay long. Of course I had to run to the Royal Ontario Museum for The Material Ball, the annual gala fundraiser for the ROM’s Burnham Brett Endowment for Textiles and Costume and the Renaissance ROM Campaign and all-around sophisticated evening.

Naturally, I stopped by my condominium to change into my beautiful ball gown, a frothy, custom-made Giambattista Valli creation provided by mysterious mafia colleagues. What a treat it was to view the North American premiere of his Spring/Summer 2009 collection. ? The evening began with a reception and exhibition viewing for The Nature of Diamonds, which is quite easily my favourite exhibition of all time. Oh, how I adore diamonds!

Of course there was an absolutely elegant dinner, complete with fascinating converstation from my dining companions, the crème de la crème of Toronto’s social and artistic scene. The event was indeed black-tie glamorous. ? After I arrived home, still admiring my fabulous Fashion Mafia frock and falling more in love with it, I wondered what I did to deserve an invitation into such an elite organization. Then I pondered what I would have to do to gain admittance into it. They have convincing methods of persuasion. Without a doubt, I would do anything to be part of the Fashion Mafia.