The Room continues to bring big names in the fashion game to Toronto and I freaking love them for that. Recently Anna Dello Russo visited Toronto with Tommy Ton for a photo exhibit called When Tommy Met Anna. The brainchild behind the whole event was one of my favourite dancing partners in the city, Rui Amaral. Rui is a fashion curator and together with the team from The Hudson’s Bay they put together an amazing event and exhibition.

The Room is thrilled to be hosting a stunning and intimate 81 image photo exhibit showcasing the inimitable Anna Dello Russo, Editor-at-Large of Vogue Japan, as seen through the eyes of her close friend and Canadian visual journalist, Tommy Ton. In celebration of this photo gallery Anna Dello Russo and Tommy Tom will appear in The Room at The Bay Queen Street for a public autograph signing. The photos are a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of the relationship between a photographer and his muse with some never-before-seen images that capture Anna and Tommy’s private moments. The exhibit will take you through Anna Dello Russo’s signature looks, memorable fashion moments and theatrical styling.

As you can imagine, the whole Toronto fashion scene was going crazy. Everyone was talking about what they were going to wear to the party. I believed that trying to out do Anna is just insanity so I immediately planned to wear some nice wide leg jeans and a simple white tank top. That plan went out the window because I had no time to go home and change before. In the end I went with my Anita Dress by Greta Constantine in black and purple. I paired this with Dean Davidson x Arthur Mendoca jewellery and my Rebecca Minkoff handbag.  I had a large shoe emergency when I discovered during the day that my beloved Camilla Skovgaard’s heel had broken.  I knew the heel wouldn’t last for the party, so I ended up buying some Calvin Klein platforms on the 2nd floor.  I’m devastated though and hoping I can repair them.

The party was absolutely crazy.  I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much colour on Torontonians.  I joked to friends that it only becomes acceptable to wear colour in Toronto when Prada and Jil Sander tells you it’s okay.  There were lots of great outfits and it was hard to take it all in.  Of course, fashion victim Balmain was out in full force too.  My favourite of night was Maryam Keyhani. She had this beautiful bright Marni jacket on that I was just freaking out over. Of course, she paired it with her own jewellery.  The hat pulled it all together, just fantastic.  Stacey Kimel in Jil Sander was pretty incredible too.  That skirt is to die for.

The scrum around Anna was insane. Everyone was battling for a little piece of her. It felt like she was a zoo exhibit with all these people around gawking and taking photos of each and every move. I hate this kinda stuff and I normally don’t bother with the scrum and just observe. I missed my chance to interview Anna earlier in the day because of the day job. When opportunities like this come around I curse my job but I have to be a responsible employee. I saw the Beckerman girls make their push towards Anna so I joined them and managed to shake her hand and get a quick photo. Thanks Nicholas.

Anna Dello Russo is gorgeous, although I expected her to be taller.  In pictures she has legs that go on for days and I assumed she must be as tall as the models.  Toronto’s fashion elite was out in full force wearing its best for Anna but the night belonged to some of Toronto’s amazing Drag Queens.

They were the life of the party.

There are some great blogs that took a ton of photos that you should look at: Omar Lesile has two great posts with lots of pictures including yours truly;  Beckerman Bite Plate has an amazing post that takes you to the after party too; and finally Backseatstylers.

When Tommy Met Anna at The Room exhibit is public and runs until April 28, 2011. There is still time to check it out at The Room.

See all my photos from When Tommy Met Anna at The Room