Amanda Lew Kee | Style Blog | Canadian Fashion and Lifestyle News

Just look at those inflatables behind me, happy and unaware of the night ahead of them. By the end of Power Ball XVIII: Pleasure Principle, most of those animals would be deflated and Inflatable Culture installation taken apart, creating numerous colourful photo-ops for partygoers throughout The Power Plant. As I mentioned in this post, Power Ball is one of my favourite parties of the year, and this year’s event did not disappoint. Apart from the inflatables, other art installations included Ungentrified by Lorna Mills – a collage of gif-like raunchy video clips, Opium Den by Karen Tam – “response to stereotypical portrayals of Chinese in the West”, complete with a gong and lanterns, Anaglyph by Jordan Sodenberg Mills – mirrors that created trippy 3D reflections, perfect for surreal selfies.

After checking out the installations, I devoured some delicious bites by Parts & Labour, and tried a non-alcoholic jello shot, which luckily wasn’t one of the chicken broth flavoured ones. It seemed that everyone in town was at the party, and I spent the rest of the night socializing and trying not to trip on my Erdem gown. It was definitely a night to remember, and I am already dying to find out what the theme for next year’s Power Ball will be.

So tell me, did you attend this year’s Power Ball? What was your favourite installation? Share in the comments!

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This is my seasonal challenge with Toronto Fashion Week(s)…attend the shows, get a feel for my favorites and then…delay posting them. Sorry if this comes a bit late, but some rest (and reflection) was in order. So now that I’m somewhat refreshed and ready to go, I give you my favorite looks from LGFW Fall 2011 shows.

Having written about VAWK already, I have to say that it was my favorite of the season, but there were definitely some notable looks from other collections that caught my eye.

1. RUDSAK

In Canada, we spend most of the year bundled up…And what I love about RUDSAK is that they prove time and time again that you don’t have to look like Michelin Man in order to stay warm. The variety of gorgeous leather coats, fur collars, interspersed with smart knit detailing really made me want to throw away my old Aritzia parka, in exchange for a more grown-up coat. It’s on my list for next fall. Stay tuned.

2. Juma

The Juma show, made my heart skip a beat with their gauzy dresses in beautiful prints. Pants and anoraks were also on my “must buy” list, with their perfect flow and fit.

3. Greta Constantine

Not part of LGFW, but rather the Rogue Fashion Week, Greta Constantine never disappoints. My favorite looks consisted of GC signature jersey gowns in deep rich shades – which looked comfortable enough to lounge in, yet glamourous enough for the red carpet. Love.

4. Amanda Lew Kee

The show started out strong, with exposed zippers, leather and sheer detailing galore – kick-ass and feminine all at the same time. The second part of the show, however, was much more…ahem…daring – visions of tinsel, Christmas, and Halloween came to mind, as well as Lindsay Lohan for Ungaro (rosettes on boobs? come on!). But I guess we can just forget about the second part, and focus on the leather detailing and the sheer maxi skirts for now, which really were pretty amazing.

5. LINE Knitwear

The final show of LGFW, with an encore to boot, LINE was one of the must-see collections of the season. And though lately, there’s a lot more to LINE that just knitwear, I loved their crochet and knit pieces the most – that yellow maxi dress was perfection!

What about you? Did you attend any of the shows this season? Any items on your “must-buy” list for fall? Share in the comments.

Photos: Greta Constantine, Amanda Lew Kee, Juma, Line Knitwear – by Jenna Marie Wakani via Toronto Life; Rudsak – via Rock-it Promo Flickr