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'I'm surprised more people aren't dressing up," said Mina LaFleur, a burlesque performer and pin-up model who stuck to the evening's theme, Peep, so faithfully that she was a dead ringer for Dita Von Teese, Fashion Care's most arousing act.

Since the evening was far too chilly for Ms. LaFleur's outfit - layers of gauzy chartreuse emerging from a dropped waist corset - her ample décolletage seemed that much more daring.

She should not have been the exception. Typically, Fashion Cares is considered one of Canada's most flamboyant fundraisers; one where people of all stripes - from drag queens to uptown execs - display their finest plumage (or nearly naked bodies) and ogle the runway shows, live music and dance in support of the AIDS Committee of Toronto.

Perhaps it was only a coincidence that the extravaganza's 21st anniversary (legal drinking age in the U.S.) coincided with some awkward growing pains. While the historic Distillery District would seem more in keeping with the spirit of the soiree than the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, used for years, it proved too disjointed - especially because the $1,000-a-person dinner was held across 10 venues. Far worse, the brickwork paths nipped hungrily at stilettos.

After a painful live auction (a $32,000 Ultimate Vancouver Getaway went for $14,000), Top Model coach Jay Manuel hosted a series of performances by Mya, Ms. Von Teese (who sloshed around in a giant champagne glass), Suzie McNeil and a poignant video by HIV-positive singer Billy Newton-Davis. When Bedouin Soundclash took to the stage at midnight, half the crowd left. Here's hoping Kelly Rowland, who went on last, did not take the empty seats personally.

Ironically, first-time Fashion Cares producer Chip Quigley said his goal was to "broaden out the potential audience that hears the message," and a broadcast of the show on July 5 will hopefully help tip cumulative earnings over the $10-million mark. But dancers dressed by Canadian designers do not a fashion showcase make.

It would be easiest to blame the weather; the open-air concert space meant that people added more layers of clothing than they removed (a few furs were spotted). The wind even prompted some dresses to fly up, Marilyn Monroe style.

But other than those playful peeps, the evening - sadly - suffered a wardrobe malfunction.