If details are what one is after, new label, Stephen Trigueros (actually the last names of the two female designers) had one of the prettier offerings of the week. While the predominantly satin collection was simply cut and styled, a few pieces utilized a lovely basket-weave effect, either as cuffs, waistband, or unsuspectingly in the back of an evening gown.

On the other end of the detail spectrum, another newcomer, Slavka Plavic, showed distractingly feathery fringe on a number of otherwise serviceable satin and taffeta pieces, as well as a surprising amount of ruching, complete with pull-tabs. The artistic talents of Saniya Khan – she is noted for her textile paintings, especially in scarves – were overshadowed by overtly minimal clothing canvasses. Her best pieces feature great ornamentation and fabric, and the ready-to-wear canvas she used in her show doesn’t allow her abilities to truly shine.

It was a pleasant surprise to see Calgarian Paul Hardy back on the Toronto runway. The designer is marking the fifth year of his label, and did a runway collection to complement and celebrate his ready-to-wear pieces. Always quietly spiritual yet lush, he failed to disappoint with his simply intricate pieces in baroque shades of gold, plum and a verdant green – taffeta bubble dresses and a crinkle caftan lit up the runway, as did draped tops and crystallized bibs on simple tanks. The entire collection was rich and ornate, but quiet and calm at the same time. Here’s looking to many more years for the talented Hardy.

And last, but certainly not least, was David Dixon’s East coast daydream of a show. Inspired by the wind-blown yet sophisticated good looks of Rhode Island residents, he sent a series of dresses down a wave-filled runway that looked back, but simultaneously forward. Classic strapless dresses were created out of shiny glazed linen, while a scribbled floral print lent sophistication to floating halter dresses. Any seaboard dream wouldn’t be complete without wide-legged white trousers, and pretty tops with sculpted organza waves at the neckline. For evenings under the stars, short and simple white dresses fit the bill, and, perhaps dreamiest of all was a sky-blue caftan, dotted with white silhouettes of flying birds – escapism wrapped in reality.