TFW diary: Denis Gagnon mixes it up with a fun, flirty, and floral Spring 2012 collection

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A 15-minute film that had us whispering qu’est ce que c’est? to our seatmates wasn’t an ideal way to close out LG Fashion Week (though the dramatic sponsor shots—champagne and Birks jewels—undoubtedly pleased certain peeps in the crowd) but all was forgiven when Montreal designer Denis Gagnon finally marched out his stellar Spring 2012 lineup. We saw flirty mini floral prints, avant-garde versions of the traditional tux, satin rompers, sharp capri pants, blouses with sheer backs (perfect for making dramatic exits), kicky checks, parachute dresses, and dominatrix-style leather straps and harnesses. Gagnon mixed up a garden variety of masculine and feminine looks, a nice departure from his signature dark and moody aesthetic. Models skipped and twirled down the runway, and even blew a few kisses. Optimism? Joy? Spirit? Now, that’s something we hope blooms year round.