There were giant clowns, spotlights on strangers, lanterns released from Trinity Bellwoods, and dance parties in secret hotel rooms. Nuit Blanche took over Toronto again, and saw thousands of people lining the streets until the wee wee'est hours. 

Coffee bars were still humming at midnight, art galleries were filled with first-timers, and I was at a fashion event. HA! For shame, you may say...but it was actually pretty great. 

The Art of Fashion: Choreology 2011 packed the Pantages Hotel and featured 10 exhibits from Canadian designers all battling for the judges favor to become the 'Most Promising Designer'. It's no small feat, as Zoran Dobric was 2005's winner. Judges included David Dixon (designer), Faith Orfus (Rac Boutique), Natalie Lecomte (Holt Renfrew buyer), and Pat McDonagh (designer) among others, and they evaluated the designers based on literally 'pages and pages' of criteria, says Faith. I watched them spend a crazy amount of time filling out the paperwork on each exhibit, and thought their dedication was pretty admirable. 

Of the exhibits, one definitely stood out above the rest, and that was Kate Laird/Jen Murtagh (picture above). Their theatricality was absolutely astonishing, but the pieces were FAR from ready-to-wear. Hopefully the Nuit Blanche theme worked in their favor. 

Aside from the design competition, there were also a ton of homegrown vendors. My favourites were vintage Sweetie Box jewellery and Dainty, by LouLou Beads. Somehow I resisted getting a bracelet, but judging by the fact that I've spend no less than 25 minutes on each of their pages, I can't fight it much longer...

And you were at some gallery...pfft. 

HA!

xo Holland

All photos copyright Katherine Holland