Coat: Paris Hilton via Winners (2009) | Tee: Gap | Jeans: BlueNotes | Boots: Spring Necklace: J Crew Knock-off via Winners
It’s been a little over a week since I got back from World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto and I’m still trying to process the whole experience (hence the unscheduled blogging break). It was a whirlwind week with fashion shows, after parties, and a lot of deep revelations for me. To be perfectly honest, it was the complete opposite of what I was expecting.
Obviously there were shows – amazing shows, moving shows and, some questionable shows; but there was also a lot of learning moments for me. The first was on opening night as soon as the Pink Tartan show began. When those models started walking down the runway I could feel that little knot in my throat welling up. There is nothing I want more than to one day present a collection of my own under the tents and being there live for the action just gave more fuel to that desire.
Then there was day two; a lot of scrambling for seats at shows, trying to connect with other bloggers, and a whole lot of people watching. I have to say the second day was really disheartening for me (not because of the shows, they were awesome), but watching all the different fashion bloggers in the media lounge it was very evident that I was a bit of a dinosaur in this industry. In the real world I only just turned 32 but in fashion blogging years that might as well be 70. (Don’t believe me, check out this article about fashion bloggers expiring at 35) So there I was, on the other side of the country spending days away from my kids, possibly chasing an impossible dream – not a great feeling.
Thankfully though, there were two shows that put things right back into perspective for me. The first was the Mercedes-Benz Start Up finals which featured designers from across the country competing for a year long mentorship and an opportunity to show at Fashion Week next year. The energy in that room was amazing, so many family members and friends cheering on their favourites. These designers weren’t just sitting around thinking about what they wanted to do, they were doing it! A great kick in the pants for me.
Equally impacting for me was the Allistyle show. This show featured a line of plus size clothing developed by a mom (Pam) to carry on the vision of her daughter Alli who lost her fight with cancer in 2006. Although I was unimpressed with the attitudes of some of those in attendance at the show, I was moved to the core by this concept. Only a mom could jump in feet first to a completely foreign project and make that vision come true, how could she not, it was for her little girl. Watching those clothes come down the runway made me feel proud to be a mom and motivated me to go after my big dream.Thank you Pam for making Alli’s dream come true and showing me the way back to mine.
So to sum it all up, what I really learned at World MasterCard Fashion Week is that I do belong in the fashion industry, impossible dreams can come true, and most importantly; I’m not 20 something but I am a mom blogger, and I need to own up to that. I know there are other moms out there like me that want to hold on to their identities after having kids and still care about how they dress. So in this new chapter – I’ll be looking for you!
PS: For those readers that aren’t moms – don’t worry I’m not having another baby and this isn’t going to turn into a parenting blog. I hope I won’t lose you!
So I totally neglected talking about my outfit today! Let’s just say I’m kind of obsessed with this beautiful cranberry colour and leopard print right just like everyone else:)
