On Wednesday July 7, 2010, Wychwood Barns/Artscape played host to the city’s hottest show by lingerie conglomerate La Lingerie Française. The company boasts 70+ French lingerie brands and the evening’s show offered guests a viewing of hottest styles from a select few. Conveniently planned while the haute couture shows were taking place in Paris, guests included the likes of Princesse TamTam, Lise Charmel, Simone Perele, and Passionata, just to name a few.

The event was hosted by In Fashion's Glenn Baxter

The evening began with a cocktail reception, where Piper Heidsieck Champagne was flowing. With no air conditioning to be found, it definitely set the mood for all things sexy, tantalizing, and bedroom appropriate. Despite this, the number one accessory of the night –fans, being flipped through the air at record speeds, it was a Karl Lagerfeld takeover to say the very least. After some mingling, some hors d’oeuvres, and a few flutes of bubbly, we all made our way around the runway, and waited for the show to begin. Feathers were bountiful, steamy red was the colour du jour, and garter belts, and sky high heels polished off the looks. The crowd, composed of a large group of men, the fashion frequents, and a few Toronto celebs, all agreed to put up with the heat, and in just a moment the runway was sizzling more than anyone could handle. Part song, dance and runway, the nearly 45 minute presentation was something totally fresh and new for Toronto, considering summer is a typically quiet season for runway.

By far the highlights of the show for me included garter belts by Chantelle, the nautical look of Passionata, and the red boas by Antinea, a sister brand of Lise Charmel. With respect to the overall trends, Chantelle was all about flirty, and romantic with little bows, and delicate details. GERBE on the other hand, brought back all things 80’s, meaning sexy slips, and high waisted panties. Princesse TamTam went all out gypsy chic promoting a flowy and airy vibe to their pieces, and Lise Charmel reached out to the modern woman who knows that she deserves to be sexy, independent, and recognized.

Dag Larsen is a fashion writer and blogger.
Follow him on Twitter: @DLstyling