Waves of bobbing heads flanked the runway of Mackage’s spring/summer 2014 show. A standout at World MasterCard Fashion Week, the dynamic collection was displayed with the kinetic energy demanded of the line’s peppy tangerine-coloured leather jackets and head-turning array of minis.
With its melange of graphic print crop tops for women (also available in a lazy-Sunday variety of leisure separates for men), two-toned panelled leather jackets (sophisticated when long and belted, or edgy when done in a motorcycle-style) and versatile selection of purses, Mackage put forth a downtown-centric vision for the upcoming season — one beautifully characterized by a balance of contemporary trend and timeless design.
For such a show, we wanted to sit beside and chat to a guest that possessed the sort of personal style that is steady and effortless in its makeup. Remembering that we had already made the acquaintance of a gentleman with a style that fits just that description during last season’s Klaxon Howl runway show, we once again invited actor David Sutcliffe to join us at Fashion Week.
Similar to his character on CBC’s Cracked — the hard-headed Detective Aidan Black — Sutcliffe is more about classic menswear (as in Steve McQueen’s enduring choice of wardrobe) than fads. In other words, the probability of seeing either men in this season’s trendy runway colours, such as dark red, fuchsia and mustard, are rather slim.
As season two of Cracked nears its end (the last two episodes air November 18th and 25th at 9:00 PM Eastern Time), Detective Black’s Psych Crimes unit continues to solve psychologically engulfing cases, while work-related troubles doggedly following Black home, who is losing sleep to the haunting memory of events from his past.
Far from his character’s worries inside the Fashion Week tents, Sutcliffe talks with us about his growing appreciation for fashion and Mackage’s new spring/summer 2014 collection.
RATE THE IMPORTANT OF FASHION IN YOUR LIFE. (10 BEING FOOD.)
What was it last year, a 3? I think it’s up…maybe a 5…that’s gotta be up. Look, I just went shopping, I’ve been thinking about fashion more, I got a new suit, shirts, sweaters…I’m becoming more aware. Part of it is being back in Toronto, where you have seasons, I was in L.A. for 14 years, and it’s warm all the time, so everyone just wears shorts, T-shirts, a ball cap, shades, and you’re good to go. But here it’s a little bit different, there’s more opportunity to mix things up and be fashionable, so I’m enjoying that.
BASED ON WHAT YOU’VE SEEN TONIGHT, WHAT DO YOU PREDICT TO BE THE BIGGEST TREND TO HIT THE STREETS NEXT SEASON?
Well, I was happy with the mini skirts….that looked like a trend, and I’m always a fan of the mini skirt. To see beautiful womens’ legs is always wonderful. And there were some great jackets…I mean, what was the look? There was a casual formality to it that I thought was interesting and that I liked. It was put together without being too uptight. All the stuff that I saw tonight was wearable; it was fashion, but it was practical and interesting — I liked what I saw.
DO YOU THINK YOU’LL INCORPORATE THIS TREND INTO YOUR OWN WAREDROBE?
Ahhh…there were a lot of layers that I might want to incorporate. I might work more with layers…I don’t know, don’t laugh at me! This is the best that I can do.
ARE YOU MORE A TREND PERSON OR A STAPLES PERSON?
What if the answer didn’t change (from last year)? I’m a staples person because I’m not into shopping that much. I’ve been shopping and what I bought was a bunch of staples — stuff that I will wear for the next five years. You know, probably what I will do is mix in something — shoes, jackets a scarf — to add a little bit of trendiness to it. Now that I have some time off through the winter to promote the show and be on the scene a little bit, I’ll be a little more aware of what looks good…of what’s fashionable…don’t make fun of me! I’m very self-conscious. I had a photo shoot the other day and they dressed me up, and I thought , “Fuck that.” I had an immediate reaction, but the stylist was pretty cool and it was good, and I thought, “Ok, maybe I can pull this off?” Maybe I’m getting older too, and somehow I can pull it off, you know what I mean? Is that fair? I think getting older allows me a little room to be fashionable.
WHAT IS THE MOST EXTRAVAGANT PIECE IN YOUR CLOSET?
Well, I just bought a Hugo Boss leather jacket while I was in Cannes…how fancy is that! (Laughing.) We were there for MIPCOM promoting Cracked, and I didn’t have a black leather jacket — I did not have that kind of staple, so I got that.
IF YOU COULD TAKE ONE PIECE FROM THE RUNWAY HOME WITH YOU, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
There was a great black jacket, almost motorcycle style. There was another almost military-style jacket that I thought was pretty cool. They had those sort of futuristic pajamas pants too that looked very comfortable, but I can’t imagine wearing them — for me — in public…I’m not that edgy. I’m not that brave.
WHAT CELEBRITY, DEAD OR ALIVE, WOULD YOU HAVE LIKED TO HAVE WATCHED THE SHOW WITH TONIGHT?
What I’d say last year, Abraham Lincoln? I can’t say that again? Ummm…who would I attend a fashion show with… well, bumping into Jian [Ghomeshi] here was fun because he’s an interesting, smart guy, who has a lot of perspective on things, and I always enjoy talking to him. He knows what’s up and he’s a fashionable man himself. Alright…so dead or alive, a fashion show…I feel like I want to go with a woman, maybe it would be fun to go with Miley Cyrus. I’m very into Miley Cyrus right now, love what she’s doing. I think she’s super smart and self-aware, and she’s gaming everybody. She’s acting her age, that’s what twenty-year-olds are suppose to do; she’s running around being crazy and God bless her. I wish I was that free in my twenties. I love her. She can teach me how to have fun. She seems like she’s having the most fun out of everyone on the planet right now.
WHAT SONG WOULD YOU CHOOSE AS THE RUNWAY SOUNDTRACK TO THIS COLLECTION?
You know what would be good? This song “Weightless” by Marconi Union, it’s kind of an ambient tune. It was recently rated the most relaxing song. Actually, because I think that collection had a bit of a fucking Zen quality to it…I think that would be good, an ambient tune but with a pulse…with some feeling.
WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON TO IMPRESS AT FASHION WEEK?
Didn’t we cover this last time? I’m not interested in impressing anybody. I guess unconsciously, I’m trying to impress all the women. I would not admit that, but you know secretly, I would love to walk in and have the girls be impressed by me…somehow…I don’t know what that looks like, but…
WHAT WAS THE SINGLE ELEMENT ABOUT THIS FASHION WEEK EXPERIENCE THAT IMPRESSED YOU MOST, ON OR OFF THE RUNWAY?
I though the production was good, it was well put together. I liked the music, the crowd, the clothes…the whole production value was great. Good energy, I thought the crowd was into it.
Mackage Spring/Summer 2014
