It was like watching an Indian epic spliced with scenes from a brash spaghetti western. Fashion Cares' 2005 Bollywood Cowboy fund-raiser, sponsored by M.A.C., gave fashion designers and entertainers alike the chance to imagine what might happen if the Far East collided with the Wild West.
Phillip Ing, artistic director and show producer at Fashion Cares, along with chairman Stephen Brown and co-chairmen Sebastien Centner and Kevin Ormsby, corralled clothing labels Mercy, Comrags, Hoax Couture, and Wayne Clark into creating collections reflective of the theme. Proceeds in excess of $1 million went to support the AIDS Committee of Toronto.
Guests were champing at the bit to enter the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) and lasso discount finds from retailers including Nike Canada, the Bay and FCUK. The goods-valued at more than $1 million-were presented in a bazaar sponsored by the BMO. Everything from haystacks, split-rail fencing, and brightly coloured Eastern-influenced fabrics decorated the area. Male models acting as greeters turned heads with their bare-bottom chaps. Their female counterparts (and their six-packs) were equally eye-grabbing in sheer caftans. Other performers danced on a tall stage in the centre.
The gala dinner that followed, hosted by Michelle Piper of Presidential Gourmet, began with hors d'oeuvres from 10Tation, Southern Accents, Eatertainment, and Presidential Gourmet, followed by a three-course dinner catered by MTCC. To jazz up the dining room, Piper brought in place mats from Levi's and linens from Around the Table and the Bay. Guests scarfed down the meal to the sounds of DJ Zara and the Funkasia Crew. Meanwhile, Party Extras offered tattoo airbrushing and passed out crystal accessories to help people get into the Bollywood Cowboy groove.
At 10:30 PM, MC Jeanne Beker, host of Fashion Television, addressed the nearly 5,000 guests and welcomed M.A.C. spokeswoman Pamela Anderson to the stage. Anderson praised M.A.C. for civic contributions and environmental efforts. As the post-dinner proceedings got under way, the main stage, which had earlier displayed relatively modest decoration in the form of a tiered crystal chandelier and coloured backdrop, erupted into a collage of covered wagons, costumed models, and mobile risers. Canadian music icon Jann Arden kicked things off, performing two recent hits. Four choreographed runway shows by the event's featured fashion designers followed. The evening saw classic western bustiers and backless trousers as well as bronze-painted cowboys and dazzling Bollywood divas. Other entertainers included Feist, the Panjabi Hit Squad, the Brazilian Girls, and a closing performance by Erasure.
The festivities continued long after the fashion show was over. Various DJs spun into the wee hours.
—Robyn Small
Phillip Ing, artistic director and show producer at Fashion Cares, along with chairman Stephen Brown and co-chairmen Sebastien Centner and Kevin Ormsby, corralled clothing labels Mercy, Comrags, Hoax Couture, and Wayne Clark into creating collections reflective of the theme. Proceeds in excess of $1 million went to support the AIDS Committee of Toronto.
Guests were champing at the bit to enter the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) and lasso discount finds from retailers including Nike Canada, the Bay and FCUK. The goods-valued at more than $1 million-were presented in a bazaar sponsored by the BMO. Everything from haystacks, split-rail fencing, and brightly coloured Eastern-influenced fabrics decorated the area. Male models acting as greeters turned heads with their bare-bottom chaps. Their female counterparts (and their six-packs) were equally eye-grabbing in sheer caftans. Other performers danced on a tall stage in the centre.
The gala dinner that followed, hosted by Michelle Piper of Presidential Gourmet, began with hors d'oeuvres from 10Tation, Southern Accents, Eatertainment, and Presidential Gourmet, followed by a three-course dinner catered by MTCC. To jazz up the dining room, Piper brought in place mats from Levi's and linens from Around the Table and the Bay. Guests scarfed down the meal to the sounds of DJ Zara and the Funkasia Crew. Meanwhile, Party Extras offered tattoo airbrushing and passed out crystal accessories to help people get into the Bollywood Cowboy groove.
At 10:30 PM, MC Jeanne Beker, host of Fashion Television, addressed the nearly 5,000 guests and welcomed M.A.C. spokeswoman Pamela Anderson to the stage. Anderson praised M.A.C. for civic contributions and environmental efforts. As the post-dinner proceedings got under way, the main stage, which had earlier displayed relatively modest decoration in the form of a tiered crystal chandelier and coloured backdrop, erupted into a collage of covered wagons, costumed models, and mobile risers. Canadian music icon Jann Arden kicked things off, performing two recent hits. Four choreographed runway shows by the event's featured fashion designers followed. The evening saw classic western bustiers and backless trousers as well as bronze-painted cowboys and dazzling Bollywood divas. Other entertainers included Feist, the Panjabi Hit Squad, the Brazilian Girls, and a closing performance by Erasure.
The festivities continued long after the fashion show was over. Various DJs spun into the wee hours.
—Robyn Small
Fashion Cares' 2005 Bollywood Cowboy benefit, held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, unveiled a new frontier of runway shows with designs from Mercy, Wayne Clark, Hoax Couture, and Comrags.
The fashion show included dancers and models in brightly coloured costumes.
M.A.C.'s henna-tattooed cowboys posed backstage before the show.
An Eastern-inspired bar was set near the Bollywood bazaar.
