Waxman Gala - Featuring Canadian evening wear & tuxedos
The Billy Waxman Gala was held at the old Locoshop Angus train yards in Montreal, a near-sacred mecca of the industrial revolution, and its historical influence cast a sentimental shadow on what was perhaps one of the grandest fashion events in Canadian fashion history. No expense was spared as the capacity crowd was treated to the tuxedo interpretations of nearly twenty Canadian designers, including Dubuc, Denis Gagnon, POW, Tavan & Mitto, Nadya Toto, Marisa Minicucci, Marie Saint Pierre, Wantstil, C’est pas Grave and many others.
The stage was a virtual playground for Montreal’s creative thinkers, as they showed how a little imagination could rework the tux in a big way. Mr. Waxman himself took the opportunity to reveal his new collection of crushed red velvet and electric blue suede. Of course, there was a sea of black and white to choose from. The decadent, outdoor cocktail party and barbecue that followed proved to be the crystallizing moment of Montreal Fashion Week.
“It’s the year of the tuxedo,” said Waxman. “Gucci, Prada, YSL, it’s everywhere. My collection revitalizes the traditional values of the tuxedo (in colours as electric as the man himself), and we even pulled some pieces out of the archives for the show.” Where does the event go from here? “I’m taking it to New York, Paris, and other European cities.”
If you aren’t already a believer in the tuxedo, spend five minutes with Billy Waxman and I guarantee you’ll think twice about leaving home without your bow tie.
Daniel Cox, Fashion Editor
Marek Wlazlo, Photographer
