This is my third L'Oreal Fashion Week and I finally got an invite to the Holt Renfrew media cocktail party. This kick off party brings the fashion media together with the organizing parties of the FDCC and Holt Renfew. I wasn't nervous until I walked into a sea of people surrounded by designer handbags. Damn, where are my friends? These people are all staring at me. I'm new and they know it. The feeling of dread didn't last long as familiar faces beckoned.

The Spring 2008 season started with much hullabaloo with an anonymous campaign calling for the removal of Robin Kay, president of the Fashion Design Council of Canada. The email quickly spread like a virus through the ranks of the industry and it was the new gossip. I don't have much to say about the issue. I'm not a member of the FDCC and I don't think I've ever shared words with Robin. I'm not one to follow anonymous leadership and people should stand by their words if they expect others to do so.

The speeches began and a number of people spoke, including Barbara Atkin, Vice President of Fashion Direction, Holt Renfew, the President of L'Oreal Canada and Robin Kay. Robin delivered an intelligent and passionate speech, which to be honest, surprised the hell out of me as I've only seen her speak on the runway. Audrey Smaltz, an NYC fashion industry leader gave a short speech with felt totally improvised but well executed.

I caught the briefest glimpse of Iman and immediately went into shock. Stunning, graceful and of course beautiful are only a few of the adjectives needed to describe this woman. I hope she's around for some of the shows.

More pictures at my flickr account.