The third and final day of Ottawa Fashion Week featured ready-to-wear clothing the average Ottawan could pull off the hanger and strut down Sussex in, with the exception of Sukhoo Sukhoo.
Frank Sukhoo, a veteran Ottawa designer, was granted the coveted spot of closing the show on Sunday night. This marked Sukhoo’s first time showing at OFW. When I spoke with Sukhoo last Fall, he said he was waiting for the event to reach a certain level of quality. At this year’s OFW launch party, Sukhoo said an organizer of the event convinced him to participate in the city’s largest fashion celebration.
Sukhoo Sukhoo featured women’s formal attire. The crowd awed over a one shoulder, animal print gown, which showed a lot of leg. Sukhoo showed a variety of lengths, cuts and fabrics of gala-ready gowns and ladylike two-piece suits, perfect for his client roster of diplomats, celebrities, and society women. Sukhoo’s skillfully crafted, tailored pieces stood out in a night of unfinished hems and gapping seams.
Serendipity by Kelsey McIntyre started the evening’s festivities with her collection entitled “Sense and Sensibility” inspired by Jane Austin and England during the Second World War.
McIntyre, a returning designer to OFW, creates looks oozing with femininity. She crafted the sweetest Peter Pan collared, short-sleeve blouses, which she paired with gathered skirts in light weight fabrics.
Loft 604 featured a line of cozy knitwear for both men and women. Designer Willie Fung, said his design are inspired by European craftsmanship.”[In Europe] we really like that sitting at a coffee shop, but with very nice, high quality clothing…But in the Canadian weather, you want to put on that really comfortable, cozy sweater,” said Patricia Poon, Fung’s partner.
Loft 604’s ribbed, cowl neck cardigans with toggles would please any man looking to keep off the Ottawa chill. It was Loft 604’s first time showing at OFW. Fung and Poon said they want to expand their brand to Ottawa because they have established a following in Toronto.
Ella Peru, Helmer and Symbiose by Hinda A. also showed collections on Sunday.
*Slider image courtesy of Ming Wu*
