Models dressed in designs from seven of France’s top lingerie houses walked the runway at Artscape Wychwood Barns Wednesday for the third annual "Secrets of Seduction" Fashion Show. The event—presented by Lingerie Française through its export council Promincor—drew 600 attendees, including media representatives, retailers, and V.I.P. guests, to the renovated streetcar repair yard.
“Our production company proposed this venue, and it was perfect. This is an old building that has been renovated and is brand new. It is very trendy and very artistic. We love it," said Patrice Argain, managing director of the French Federation of Lingerie. Argain noted that the event is intended to raise the profile of French lingerie companies in Canada. “Our purpose is to have the largest media organizations here to let Canadian women know about French lingerie.”
Fashion Television’s Glen Baxter hosted the event, which showcased the Lejaby, Elixir, Simone Perele, Chantelle, Passionata, Empreinte, and Gerbe brands. “They choose to be there. We don’t select them. These brands already work with the Canadian market,” Argain said.
"This is my first time doing this event; I love the energy,” said Mark Caskenette, president of Lejaby-SBC Inc. “We’ve got the retailers here and definitely the media as well, and it’s a great opportunity to show our collection on models to our retailers. So many times when you’re showing at specialty boutiques you don’t have the opportunity to bring a model, and when you can see it showcased, it just pops.”
Jean-Pierre & Co. catered the event, and servers from Simply Service passed glasses of champagne to guests as they arrived at the reception, where singer Chad Pollett performed. The runway show, produced by Run Productions Inc., included an aerial ballet performance by Hang Time Presents. DĂ©fi-la Mode de France, the committee for the development and promotion of French clothing, also supported the event.
