GRETA CONSTANTINE Fall 2010. Photography by Jenna Marie Wakani
Down in the basement of a Toronto car dealership (Audi, specifically), Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong put on one of the strongest shows we’ve seen for their womenswear label, Greta Constantine (and her little menswear brother, Ezra). Simply put, it was a runway full of gorgeous, wearable clothes that women will want to wear. Ka-ching.
The room was tricked out with noir-ish details–a rooftop set against a dark city with quotes from Sin City to set the mood. The message: These are clothes for the femme fatale. Though the duo is well known for their jersey dresses, the show opened with line-up of grey and black wool dresses with draped and cowled necks and slim knee-length pencil skirts (all accessorized with shoes, necklaces and cuffs made of shattered mirrors). They’ll be perfect for dames of the cigarette-holder ilk, or Greta fans who can’t quite make Grecian draping work for the office. Smart move.
Back to that jersey–there was plenty and it was beautifully done. Tops were a short grey-blue number with a swingy back, a deep grey full-length gown with cape-like sleeves and navy blue wrap dress with a tulip skirt and a neckline that gathered into a deep V. There was also a long parade of gowns and dresses done in a black mesh with underlay that sparkled in silver, blue and purple. The final looks showed shaggy fur vests over skintight superhero leggings with quilted leather details–just the right garb for doling out your own brand of justice.
Smack dab in the middle of the women’s show appeared a unit of men with bloodied faces, wearing various military headgear (from Civil War forage caps to captain’s hats to ninja hoods). Beyond that window dressing there was a collection of edgy, but not out-there, pieces—cargo pants with extra-large pockets, drapey hooded shirts and lots of great outerwear. There was a cutaway coat with a zip-off bottom, woolen motorcycle vests and jackets, a grey duvet hoodie and a beautiful hooded cape.
Click the images below to see the full show.
