Today, I was ordered to visit Toronto contractors to ensure operations prohibiting Canadian designers were on schedule. The Fashion Mafia pays the contractors to make it as difficult as possible for Canadian designers to produce and ship their collections on time. Techniques include placing buttonholes on incorrect openings, miscalculating inseams, and puckering hems. I even saw one entire collection of jackets with backwards arms. One contractor seemed particularly proud of spotting an ingenious design from a young designer and copying it for one of the Fashion Mafia’s labels.

The trip was my own fashion nightmare, seeing these great designs with poor and overpriced production, but the Fashion Mafia did make an excellent point: Canadians have yet to define a true Canadian style beyond innovative winterwear. Until they produce something truly innovative, they should be kept off the international fashion radar.

While I reported my update to Tracee Smithers, Lady Miss Angora wriggled out of my lap and hopped away from me and over to the custom-made bunny bag from Fashion Mafia Godmother Francesca Biscotti. When I finished my phone call, I discovered that she nibbled a hole through the beautiful bag! I have never known my precious pet to destroy anything so luxurious; I do believe it is time to take her to the psychiatrist again.