A few shows during Fashionweek fell outside of the traditional lines. First up was Tilley Endurables, the Toronto-based adventure wear firm best known for its all-weather hats and drip-dry underwear. Their first-ever Fashionweek show proved that there’s much more to the brand than these faithful favorites; chic jersey separates and urbane suiting proved to be just as functional, and, in contemporary shapes (wraps and slim pants), street-savvy. The show also featured some updates, with quilted travel bags and cotton button-ups in Liberty prints, and sex appeal – one of the vignettes was of the models showing off that famous underwear, paired only with cushy socks, scarves, and yes, even those world-famous hats.

Fashion Takes Action featured the eco-friendly creations of 10 Toronto designers from a prior event. Designers like Thien Le, Pat McDonagh and Ula Zukowska were challenged to design pieces out of eco-friendly fabrics courtesy of British Columbia-based Syka Textiles. The results were more glam than granola; while earth tones dominated the palette (along with fabulous leafy accessories) the looks were as bright and bang-on as anything else that came down the runway during Fashionweek – but with a lighter carbon footprint.

London’s certainly got talent – in the form of Fanshawe College’s fashion students. The looks coming down the runway ranged from radical streetwear to retro swimwear to luxe eveningwear – aside from a fun, youthful spirit, there was no way to tell it was the work of students (the class even created an upscale magalog to feature their designs). It’s safe to say we’ll be seeing these names in the Fashionweeks of the future.

Opening night we were treated to the taping of the finale of reality TV show Project Runway Canada and the sensationally beautiful, Iman, who moderates it. A publication ban prevents us from saying more at this moment.

Accessories whispered instead of shouted this season. Lucite was the favored material for necklaces of extreme length or heft, and armfuls of bangles – what better to let brilliant color and cut of clothing shine? Belts are still big, but rather than as points of contrast on a complete outfit, they served as points of definition in a silhouette, and were usually shown tone-on-tone. Patent-look appliqués were a new take on the tattooed look. Cut into scrolling shapes and curving around arms and necks at a few shows, they added a nice amount of graphic edge. If anything, hair was the accessory of choice; while the more dramatic can create mermaid waves with extensions (as at Nada), or paint their parts red (as at Slavka Plasvic), the rest of us can carry on with cropped bobs or a sideswept ponytail. At right, a look at some of the other small touches that caught the eye…