Evan Biddell wanted to take us out of this world.
But his spring-summer 2010 collection is destined for urban streets.
"That was my favourite show this far," said one of the more than 1,200 fans seconds after the self-taught designer finished showing his collection at LG Fashion Week in Toronto last night.
Fashioned for an "alien empress" as a client, Biddell's line married the hippest trends of the season with luxe fabrics.
Biddell's multi-layered looks and the standing ovation they garnered reflected his growth as a force to be reckoned with.
While he's coming into his own, the Saskatoon-born designer says the creative process is still not an easy one.
The show opened with a animated Biddell fighting and conquering an alien being. "It was an expression of what it takes to deliver this year after year -- a battle," he said, after the show.
From the start, when a dramatic black floor-length shift dress floated onto the runway, the appreciative crowd was clearly ready to fly to Biddell's imaginative world.
The collection was a constant juxtaposition between volume and fit.
Several of the longer and flowing dresses, upon closer inspection were neatly tapered into dhoti-like pants, cinched at the ankles.
Asymetric shapes were also key. A one-shouldered top featured a long sleeve, a short dress featured a long train and a bolero almost flew off the body like wings.
On the tight side, tops featured racer backs and hot pants of figure-hugging snakeskin-like fabric.
Keeping with the futuristic theme, and a business partnership, Biddell used LG phones as accessories embedded in necklaces, belts and purses.
Dhoti pants and black and gold racing shorts were also strutted out for men, and worn on the runway by U.S. supermodel Sam Sarpong.
"I wanted to make streetwear more luxurious," said Biddell.
