The fabric of Reva Mivasagar's collection drew from Canadian culture, including First Nations art.

Liza Sardi

It was light and white for Paul Hardy yesterday at Day Three of LG Fashion Week.

Like a breeze of fresh air, the designer's collection of garments blew down the catwalk looking as if they were so soft that butterflies could have carried the garments away.

The items were aptly named: Parachute shirts, coconut skirts, cocoon dresses and feather vests and coat dresses flitted and floated down the catwalk.

The Winnipeg native but Calgary-based designer played with volume, often creating blouses that billowed or ruffled and pairing them with tight leggings and sheath skirts.

His palette -- white and ivory with accents of silver -- was one he called symbolic of his evolution as a designer with a social conscious.

"The white was a watershed, a clean slate and, to some degree for me personally, a fresh beginning of a new directional path for my profession," said Hardy, after the show.

After seven years in the business, he is speaking out about an "epiphany" he experienced during an eye-opening trip to Uganda earlier this year.

His spring-summer 2010 collection, named Patriarchal Femininity, was dedicated to women of East Africa who live in "unspeakable circumstances."

Hardy has vowed to return to the continent to help marginalized women start their own micro-businesses.

"I totally believe fashion can make an social impact in creating greater awareness," said Hardy.

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It felt like Canada Day on the runway at Reva Mivasagar's show.

The designer with a worldly background -- the native of Singapore, educated in London, spent time in Australia -- was inspired by the city of Toronto for his Urban Nomad collection.

The fabric of the collection drew from Canadian culture, including First Nations art. The collection was revealed in various stories including "Totem Story" and "Tree of Life Story" and "Inuit Owl Story".

Though each was unique, ruffles, string fastening and full shoulders echoed through the pieces.

The mostly silk fabrics included fluttering organza and flowing chiffon. His state of frock is a decidedly amazing place to visit.

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ANITA SHARMA

Special to Sun Media

It was Croatia calling on the runway for LOVAS.

Wesley Badanjak unveiled a number of casual, elegant yet flirty separates perfect for a seaside voyage or a trendy resort while traditional folk songs rang out over the runway.

A coral mini-dress (perhaps more fitting for South Beach than the Adriatic Sea) opened the show followed by more coral and turquoise pieces.

The coastal Croatian city of Split, pictured on the runway's backdrop, was the inspiration for the collection.

Later, the palette shifted to black and white.

Strapless dresses in various fabrics including blue linen, cottons and stretch silks flowed. Many of the mini-dresses were soft and feminine, sporting ribbon ties as belts.

Navy palazzo pants with a white chiffon flowing top were perfect for a seaside lunch.

A black trench featured clever white stitched detailing that complemented the separates on the runway.

Much like his mentor David Dixon, Badanjak channelled Audrey Hepburn. Smart yet sassy style ruled the day.

My favourite was the blue linen maxi dress with white stretch cotton panels. A very interesting yet soft take an on the ubiquitous trendy maxi dress.

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