Toronto Fashion Week wrapped up at the start of April. If you’re to believe some media reports, says the Toronto-based F List, the best of Canada isn’t at LG Fashion Week at all. It’s at Holt Renfrew, Canada’s chi-chi retailer with stores from Calgary to Vaughn, Ontario.

Holt hosted a media breakfast at the start of fashion week giving journalists a taste of Canada’s best. Five labels shared three pieces from their Fall 2010 collections while Holt’s Fashion Director Barb Atkin and television hostess Jeanne Beker hosted a live Q&A with four of the five designers: Greta Constantine, Jeremy Laing, Mikhael Kale and Denis Gagnon. (Lida Baday called in sick.) They are all incredible talents but don’t show at Canada’s premiere fashion event. To add insult to injury, few (if any) international media show up in the bi-annual fray.

It’s hard to change. Canadians aren’t quick to recognize their own, at least until they’ve won over the world. Canadian Jason Wu, the New York-based designer who famously frocked the First Lady on inauguration night, is a perfect example. You see this in music, film and television. I’m not sure how to change this (ideas anyone?) other than to bring exposure to the Canadian artists I know and love. In fact, I’m looking forward to spotting some newcomers at the Kwantlen Fashion Design Grad Show tonight.

Comment is excellent at exposing the talent of emerging and established artists, particularly through the magazine’s weekly 1000 words feature.

While we ponder, let’s enjoy a little eye candy, shall we? [Photos care of the LG blog]