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Models show creations by Pink Tartan during Toronto Fashion Week in Toronto Tuesday, October 19, 2010.Darren Calabrese / CP

There is just something about orange pants.

Whether it be the boot leg tangerine slacks Tilda Swinton wore in the Milanese-set film I am Love or the cigarette-slim set from last night's Pink Tartan spring/summer 2011 collection - there is just something about orange pants that makes you want to wear them.

Held at Heritage Court during LG Fashion Week, designer Kim Newport-Mimran's Pink Tartan show was both runway and presentation as models took their places on lit boxes once they finished their strut.

Inspired by YSL of the late 1970s, disco glam filled the room with floor-skimming flared pants, vibrant jumpsuits, and sheer blouses with floppy collar bows. An equally retro-era soundtrack, with lyrics screaming "sexy lady," accompanied the collection courtesy of DJ Rory Them Finest.

Vivid colours were paired in both contrasting separates and head-to-toe monochromatic looks echoing Jil Sander's "mille-feuille of colour," as exhibited in designer Raf Simon's recent show in Milan. Intense fuschias, electric blues, neon lime and patterns in all shapes and sizes from diagonal stripes and a black and white Navajo-print bandana to a half-sleeve leopard print maxi dress.

"It's a real departure from what I've been doing," said Newport-Mimran. "It's the way it has evolved. It does have a sarong flip from last season."

Sarong and strong - the show made a statement and offered a sense of style many onlookers aspire to have in that sitting-at-a-cafe-in-Rome-smoking-skinny-cigarettes sort of way. But can Toronto pull off the bold sophistication of our European counterparts? We'll see next spring.

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