The LABEL spring/summer 2012 showing happened in the studio, and was definitely a breath of fresh air and the perfect collection for spring. The palette was very neutral, with whites, grays, lavenders, pinks, hints of teal, and some black. Every single piece that walked down the small runway I would wear in a heartbeat, and a similar consensus formed with the people around me: any girl could wear these clothes and be effortlessly chic! All the designs and cuts were beautiful, and could be easily dressed up or down with the right accessories. The models showed off cute organic statement necklaces; geometric wooden blocks, wooden cuffs. The whole show was very natural and fresh. Tree branches marked the runway and models stood on rock pedestals after their walk. At some point through the show I was just envisioning myself strolling alongside a river bank, wearing all the pieces! The movement and lightness of the whole collection was just so spot on, kudos to Shawna Robinson and Natalie Sydoruk! My favourites include the V-back LBD (the sheer and fringe were a wonderful surprise), the two-toned bodysuit-lavender maxi ensemble, and the pink drawstring dress with cut-out shoulders. x Carrie

Baby Steinberg‘s spring/summer 2012 collection, titled Remnants, was a beautiful and very colourful collection all made from upcycled materials. Her inspiration came from when she taught “handicraft to children in the Brazilian slums known as the Favelas” (from the cute little show packages left on the bleachers– which also included a lollipop and membership info to the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art). I particularly enjoyed the feather details on a lot of the pieces. It added a lovely exotic feeling, and really made it both art and clothing. The red ribbon through the braids were also really cute! The crop top and zipper skirt was one of my favourite combos to go down the runway. The little peek-a-boo snakeskin lining (perhaps reversible skirt?!) was a nice touch. Seriously, the details were impeccable. And it’s always fun to see how designers handle using recycled (or in this case, upcycled) materials because there are just so many ways to go about it (and do it wrong). I think Baby Steinberg did a lovely job, putting on a bright show that really captured the beauty of turning something old into something new. x Carrie