LOS ANGELES, Oct 29, 2004/ FW/ – Every girl dreams of being part of a living fairytale. Today this may just be possible as Canadian gem Paul Hardy presented a modern day Mary Poppins inspired spring summer 2005 collection.

This wardrobe recently presented at Toronto fashion week earlier in September, Hardy lets his free spirit run wild, taming it only to channel thoughts in order to give an interpretation of the contemporary Poppins, a strong willed unorthodox sassy lady.

She is feminine and a romantic at heart, dressing in pastels of peach and soft pink. Yet don’t let her charm fool you, she is just as determined as sweet. Jackets are tailored with edges left raw and often unfinished.

Harem pants are comfortable like the voluminous skirts that balloon in shimmering taffeta and Hardy keeps playfulness alive with chiffon pleat inserts on the bottom of skirts and leaves delicate petticoats peaking from beneath barely over the knee dresses.

Soft memories are relived by sequin worked elegant transparency in the way of dresses, skirts and delicate summer overcoats reminiscent of wrapped sari softness as Hardy’s ladies are thrown into India.

Cooky details like the blessed Mary on belt buckles and cute Victorian street straw top hats over stringy hair, add only to the confidence the designer portrays by living his collections to the full.

Sophisticated silhouettes move between the serious and sublime, confidence and independence as Hardy livens fantasy and goes beyond the clothing he designs.

Paul Hardy

Paul Hardy

Paul Hardy

Paul Hardy