TFW diary: Vawk’s soaring tale of beetle and the butterfly

View the photo gallery »
View the backstage beauty gallery »
View the studio invasion photo gallery »

A 9:30 p.m. time slot during LGFW could be runway suicide for a designer, but not if your name is Sunny Fong. This pint-sized fashion powerhouse packed the tents on Thursday night for Vawk’s Spring 2012 show. (In the past Fong has presented his collections in a more intimate setting at the Art Gallery of Ontario.) His gorgeous pleats, diaphanous fabrics, rosy blush tones, and earthy tie-dye prints (think moss green paired with ivory) were as fresh as a spring breeze, but his anything-but-boring basics, namely a blush toned trench coat, quietly showcased Fong’s strong suit—tailoring. His curved “Beetle” frock and sweeping “Butterfly” finale dress gave a nod to all beautiful winged things, while a handful of resort looks that paraded out at the show’s start­ were given the Midas touch à la intricate laser-cut gold-leather waist cinchers. He even tried his hand at swimwear, sending several sexed-up one-piece bathers (cut-outs are the new bikini) down the runway. Like his light-as-air tiered skirt, it’s clear Fong has many layers.