Sleek, sophisticated and oozing femininity, Vawk’s Fall/Winter 2013 collection saw its models walk Toronto’s World MasterCard Fashion Week runway draped in modern elegance.

Luxe fabrics and structured tailoring characterized the collection as seen in asymmetric detailing upon blazers and jackets, as well as fur collars accenting the latter, while a chic cape and pleated feature on a refined knee-length coat, nodded to glamour dames of the 1930s.

This season, designer Sunny Fong embraced minimalism, imaging classically minded pieces for modern women. Favourites included the collection’s airy, sweeping pleated skirts (a Fall must-have); a sultry moss coloured silk gown with plunging neckline and cutout detail; and a leather-sleeved blazer with towering collar that commanded attention as it made its way down the runway.

To contemplate Fong’s impressive show of artistry this season, we invited the Art Gallery of Ontario’s (AGO) Debbie Johnson to direct her curatorial talents to Toronto Fashion Week, and share her thoughts on Vawk’s latest collection.

RATE THE IMPORTANCE OF FASHION IN YOUR LIFE.

10. I can’t imagine life without fashion; it would be like a world with no art, design or beautiful architecture — bland and listless. Even bad style is better than no style.

BASED ON WHAT YOU’VE SEEN TONIGHT. WHAT DO YOU PREDICT TO BE THE BIGGEST TREND TO HIT THE STREETS NEXT SEASON?

I saw a lot of really amazing pleats tonight on jackets and skirts. They looked modern and flattering. The way Sunny used the pleats created a really slim silhouette; pleats generally do the opposite. I could see other designers picking up on this.

DO YOU THINK YOU’LL INCORPORATE THIS TREND INTO YOUR OWN WARDROBE?

Yes! I really loved the way the pleats were integrated into the different pieces. I’m heading to the Venice Biennale in May and think one of VAWK’s pleated skirts would be a perfect base  with a t-shirt for the day and with some great heels for the evening.

ARE YOU MORE OF A TREND PERSON OR A STAPLES PERSON?

I like to invest in really high-quality staple pieces and dabble in trends. Sometimes I see a trend that I will likely love forever, and then I think you should get it while you can! I have a Marc Jacobs bubble skirt in pink plaid. I bought it a few years ago and it isn’t “on trend”, but it fits me perfectly, and I think it’s a fun piece to wear to events like exhibition openings. It’s like buying contemporary art, you can’t go wrong if you just buy what you love.

WHAT IS THE MOST GLAMOROUS PIECE IN YOUR CLOSET AND WHAT IS THE MOST COZY?

I have a pair of pretty fantastic Salvatore Ferragamo mid-calf, eggplant purple patent boots. They are the loves of my life. I was in Rome in 2007 and heard about the factory outlets outside the city. I had to take a subway, a bus and then walk across a farmers field (no, really I did and it was raining) to get them. It was totally worth it, and I would do it again. As for cozy, I finally broke down and bought a North Face parka a few seasons ago. It’s a slim fit (so no Michelin man look) and has a crazy fake fur lined hood. It’s the best thing to have when it’s minus 30!

IF YOU COULD TAKE ONE PIECE FROM THE RUNWAY WHAT WOULD IT BE?

It’s a toss up between a couple of coats, the black wool trench with fur and the tan wool Sherlock coat (it looked like half-cape/half-coat to me — amazing!) were outstanding. I’m in the market for a new wool fall weight coat, so I’m probably a little biased.

IF YOU COULD WATCH TONIGHT’S SHOW WITH ANY CELEBRITY, DEAD OR ALIVE, WHO WOULD IT BE?

Prince, I adore his work and his style.

WHAT SONG WOULD YOU CHOOSE AS THE RUNWAY SOUNDTRACK TO THIS COLLECTION?

The music they played was perfectly suited — I wouldn’t change a thing.

WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON TO IMPRESS AT FASHION WEEK?

Miss Jeanne Becker — she was sitting right in front of us. I grew up watching FT and that woman knows her stuff. If Jeanne Becker thinks it’s good, it is.

WHAT WAS THE SINGLE ELEMENT ABOUT THIS FASHION WEEK THAT IMPRESSED YOU MOST, ON OR OFF RUNWAY?

The video that opened the show really set the tone for the collection. The entire show was perfectly executed, and I appreciate the amount of work that went into creating a perfect 15 minute presentation.

Vawk Fall/Winter 2013