I hope you’re good at riddles, because here is one. What do you call a show exhibiting a world premiere music video with a live performance by the band , a fire defying dance and clothing that is flamboyant in color, alive with texture and free with movement? Any guesses?
It is a spectacle of fashion that was fortunately brought to us by Ralph Leroy’s “Element of Fire” Spring/Summer 2012 collection presented at Ottawa Fashion Week.The second the Ralph Leroy team touched down in Ottawa, it was a race to the 9:00pm show. Ralph ran to the Ottawa Convention Center and to the area where his show would take place later in the evening and began making his models walk the runway over and over again.The rest of his team dispersed and soon one would be able to recognize the faces frantically running back and forth with garment bags, shoe bags, notepads, hangers, and of course the necessary coffee runs. From afar it may have seemed as though they were running to and from a fire!
It was a mere two hours before the Ralph Leroy show when Ralph was able to come out for air. Time felt like sand seeping right through our fingers and close to none of Ralph Leroy’s staff spent more than 10 minutes with him or had complete conversations with him for the amount of work than needed to be finished. As he took a breather from the madness inside, people were approaching and letting him know how much they were looking forward to seeing the Ralph Leroy show. With a smile, Ralph would reply “Do not come watch it! If you are faint of heart, please do not come watch my show.” That rule applied for this audience as well as his staff.
Due to a show that ran late previously to Ralph Leroy’s, the “Element of Fire” show
went on one hour behind schedule. The crowd outside the Ottawa Convention Center doors was thick with style and eager faces. As everyone got to their seats, a parental advisory you might hear before "Jersey Shore" came onto the loud speaker. Only, the voice suggested mild discretion to the show with strong imagery to be expected. Mackenzie 1st's video for their single "Better" played as the runway's background as vocalist and guitarist from the band, David and Domenic strutted down the runway in two Ralph Leroy costume changes and wowed the crowd with their enthusiastic performance. Guests in their seats were close to falling off them as Sophie Latreill emerged from a wall of smoke with fire frames as arms moving them close to her face and body as well as twirling and maneuvering them in such a way it was a treat for the eyes. For how close the fire might have been to the audience, they had only got a taste of it so far.
Ambulance and firetruck sirens filled the room and like a popped bottle of Moët & Chandon, the Element of Fire looks began filtering down the runway. Fiery gold metallic pieces worn by Ottawa's own Erica Wark and casual outfits including chambray rompers, jumpsuits with iconic red stitching was the comfort expected for Spring/Summer 2012. Men in suits used a pop of color with red ties. Lustrous silks for women in exquisitely cut dresses wowed the crowd. Flamboyant coats with contrasts buttons and capes flew to the soundtrack with notable lyrics like "Fired up" had the spectators pumped. As the finale drew near, it became a feast for the eyes. Waxed linen dresses for those sweltering summer days were feminine and the tail of the silk gowns at couture heights followed the models behind them.
went on one hour behind schedule. The crowd outside the Ottawa Convention Center doors was thick with style and eager faces. As everyone got to their seats, a parental advisory you might hear before "Jersey Shore" came onto the loud speaker. Only, the voice suggested mild discretion to the show with strong imagery to be expected. Mackenzie 1st's video for their single "Better" played as the runway's background as vocalist and guitarist from the band, David and Domenic strutted down the runway in two Ralph Leroy costume changes and wowed the crowd with their enthusiastic performance. Guests in their seats were close to falling off them as Sophie Latreill emerged from a wall of smoke with fire frames as arms moving them close to her face and body as well as twirling and maneuvering them in such a way it was a treat for the eyes. For how close the fire might have been to the audience, they had only got a taste of it so far.
Ambulance and firetruck sirens filled the room and like a popped bottle of Moët & Chandon, the Element of Fire looks began filtering down the runway. Fiery gold metallic pieces worn by Ottawa's own Erica Wark and casual outfits including chambray rompers, jumpsuits with iconic red stitching was the comfort expected for Spring/Summer 2012. Men in suits used a pop of color with red ties. Lustrous silks for women in exquisitely cut dresses wowed the crowd. Flamboyant coats with contrasts buttons and capes flew to the soundtrack with notable lyrics like "Fired up" had the spectators pumped. As the finale drew near, it became a feast for the eyes. Waxed linen dresses for those sweltering summer days were feminine and the tail of the silk gowns at couture heights followed the models behind them. 
Twitter, Facebook and Ralph Leroy's blog has blown up since the weekend show in Ottawa. We are expecting Spring/Summer 2012 to be quite hot filled with men and women wearing Ralph Leroy. Take a look from the photos below for your favorite pieces!
By Blame Coco
Photos: SK / OTTAWA FASHION WEEK
By Blame Coco
Photos: SK / OTTAWA FASHION WEEK
