The AIDS Committee of Toronto adopted a Halloween-meets-Alfred Hitchcock theme for the 22nd annual Fashion Cares fund-raiser Saturday, which returned to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre after a one-year stint at the Distillery District. Organizers moved the event date from the spring to the fall for the first time and asked Phillip Ing to return as creative director in an effort to re-establish the event's fashion cred. Saturday's benefit featured looks from 40 designers and performances by Katy Perry and Dame Shirley Bassey. We asked some of the 2,000 attendees whether organizers succeeded in meeting their goals.
“I have performed in this event many times. I was really thrilled because they brought back Phillip Ing and the original creators and it really had a sense of what it started out to be, which is an evening about raising funds for AIDS and AIDS awareness. It wasn’t just about the party. It wasn't just about fashion ... I think it really came back to its original roots ... The theme was great. It was perfect for Halloween. The event was never held at this time before, and I think it gave everyone a chance to participate by wearing costumes and being a part of the show. I just loved Shirley Bassey. Some of the young guys would go, ‘Who the hell is that?’ But you’ve gotta give props to a diva. It was amazing. I could have listened to her all night. So it combined everything. It combined art, style, fashion, and raising a lot of money, and that’s what we’re here for, so it was great.”
—Rex Harrington, artist-in-residence, National Ballet of Canada
“The combination of the dancing, the fashion, and the music was just electric. It was great … it’s not only alive, it’s kicking.”
—Jack Layton, Federal NDP leader
“It was very well done. I know one of the organizers, and I know that it’s been a bit rocky the past couple of years. But I thought this year they just did a great job, and I think doing the Halloween theme was fun. The fashion show was great. The Hitchcock theme was great. I think it worked. You can see it in the costumes: People have birds coming out of their heads. I thought it was really excellent. I am impressed.”
—Talia Wooldridge, musician and first-time attendee
“I think it was fabulous. This is my second time. It’s a great cause and everyone should come out for this. The guests were great, the entertainers were great, and the show was amazing. Shirley Bassey, what a classic. She was definitely the highlight of the night.”
—Lorenzo Sanei, entertainer
"It was a lot better than last year, just from what I read. But performance-wise, I think they could've at least expanded a bit more with the artists because that's what people were really waiting for. Overall it was really good and people actually dressed up, so they're supporting the cause."
—Theresa Kim, student and field marketing representative
"This is my first time, and I'm unaware of what goes on here, but I had a really great time. It was pretty over-the-top, and I would do it again. The show was good, but I think the last lady, Shirley, really milked it a little too long—she should've finished, like, 15 minutes earlier. But other than that, it was great."
—Steve Pandi, owner, JumpinJammerz
"This is my fourth time, and I think they stepped it up and did an amazing job. The show kicked off really strong at the beginning, and they kept it going throughout the night."
—Jarrett Plyley, agent, Ford Models
"The fashion show was fantastic. I've been coming for probably 10 years, and it's nice to see that they've gone back to what they've always done before, so hopefully they'll continue to do the same."
—Gary Wallace, physician
"It was actually my first Fashion Cares, and I loved the variety of entertainment they had. I loved the costumed dancers, I loved all the different artists they brought in. And it's all for a good cause. I think they could've thrown a little more fashion in there, but it was good."
—Emily Emergaert, make-up artist
"The only other Fashion Cares I've been to was two or three years ago, and this one was a lot more fun. This was the sort of event that is going to get attention and people are going to want to come back to. I thought it was really risky switching it to the day after Halloween, but I think if you can bring it together like they did, it's awesome. There were some great costumes, too."
—Daniel L. Bain, president and C.E.O., Thornmark Asset Management Inc.
