By Hannah Yakobi

Photography by Cody Bokshowan

It is rare to see fashion pieces by some of the top Canadian and international fashion designers put together on a single rack. Even more so – lined up next to each other on many, many racks.

Thierry Mugler.

Yet this is exactly what happens once a year, when The Frocktail Party takes Toronto by storm.

One of the most stylish events in the city, it attracts hundreds of Canada’s most fashionable people, as well as renowned designers and celebrities from the entertainment industry.

The second installment of the event took place on Friday. Guests gathered at the sleek 99 Sudbury glass factory loft in King West (www.99sudbury.ca).

They mingled between rows of racks and mannequins that displayed dresses donated by crème de la crème of the fashion industry.

Every dress had a number and a list next to it, so guests could participate in a silent auction that closed after about three hours of bidding.

All funds raised went towards Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (www.jdrf.ca).

This year, the selection of clothing was incredibly diverse. Some of the designers whose frocks were displayed included:

Dolce & Gabbana

Greta Constantine

Greta Constantine, Spring 2011 Collection worn by supermodel Coco Rocha. Donated by the designers.

Jeremy Laing

Moschino

Roberto Cavalli

David Dixon

SEE by Chloe

Catherine Malandrino

Calvin Klein

CALLA

Thierry Mugler

Lida Baday

Mackage

Jenny Bird

Andrew Majtenyi

Las Valentias

Dolce and Gabbana.

Dean Davidson

 Peros

Jay Godfrey

Alex & Eli

Alberta Ferretti

Joeffer Caoc

Many frocks were personally donated by designers themselves. Headlining the auction was a Spring/Summer 2011 Greta Constantine gown worn by supermodel Coco Rocha.

Dozens of pieces were sold at the end of the night. Some had so many bidders that their list went on for several pages.

The Frocktail Party was started in 2009 by a close group of friends who wanted to make a difference: Catherine Pringle, Talor Wallace, Christina Perreault, Lorraine Forster, Jen Foster and Ali Reid.

All of them have a long standing friendship with sisters Vanessa and Jessica Oliver.

Soheila. Donated by the designer.

Vanessa was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was only six years old. She has lived with daily insulin injections, finger pokes, an insulin pump and the worry of long-term complications for the past 25 years.

In their ten-year relationship with the Olivers, the girls have seen Vanessa and her family face these challenges with courage, grace and a fierce commitment to supporting a quest for a cure. This has inspired them to create The Frocktail Party to show love and gain support for this important cause. As they say themselves, this is where fashion meets compassion!

For more information about The Frocktail Party, visit http://www.thefrocktailparty.com/