I got there just a little before the doors officially opened to discover that there was indeed some chaotic energy as the performers and participants were rushing around preoccupied with last minute adjustments. Not surprising considering the logistical challenges of coordinating three different disciplines into a cohesive whole. In truth, there was nothing Chaotic in putting this show together and the credit should go to Michelle (Minx Clothing), Steven (Perdition) and Bianca (Wicked Talent) for pulling this unique project off.

I had the opportunity to speak with Michelle and Steven earlier in the month about the concept behind Beautiful Chaos. In short, they felt the Goth scene in Toronto needed a boost in spirit and in the creative community. What better way than to merge, “Music, Fashion, and fun – all in one!” It certainly was that. A good crowd had assembled and the DJ’s Morgana, Th’ Elf and Steven (yes, the same Steven!) did an excellent job warming up the crowd. Th’Elf, a DJ of notable repute from Kitchener, did a superb job MC’ing the show.

The first feature of the evening was the Wicked Talent Fashion show featuring creations by Dark Destiny Designs, Healing Heart, Ego Assassin and Futurstate as worn by the Wicked Talent models. It was an eclectic array of texture and colour. Dark Destiny’s line leans towards the archetypal dark, brooding mood with PVC being the material of choice while Ego Assassin’s line embraces latex for a more provocative almost fetish stance. This was countered by Futurstate’s “Cyber” PVC look with lots of reflective-tape accents. Healing Heart’s work contrasted sharply with lots of colourful fun-fur with vegan-inspired slogans incorporated into the clothing. But this was only the beginning!

There was a short break and then Perdition took the stage with their dark, hard-edged songs showcasing their latest album “Worthless Words of Poison.” The band was psyched and put their hearts into the performance. I’ve also noticed over past few shows they’ve become much tighter and edgier. The songs themselves reflect this dark earnestness. It will be interesting to watch them over the next while, promising to say the least. Memorable songs included: “Cursed Girl,” “War Becomes Me,” and “Merits of the Flesh,” – all new material.

The band often performs with their personal Go-Go Dancers: “The Bloodflowers” but in this context it created a nice precursor to the highlight of the evening: the collaboration with Minx Clothing.

The aim of Minx Clothing, the creations of Michelle Cooper, has been to not only create fun, distinctive club gear, but clothing that creates flattering lines to compliment any body type. Michelle has officially been in business for three years, but has worked in the garment industry for a number of years. Memorable pieces from her show included a banker’s pinstripe two-piece that was a stylish fusion of elegance and sexiness! That was the operative word here – sexy! – and Michelle’s designs are just that. Her creative use of contrasting silver tones with zipper and grommet accents nicely breaks up the predominant, mandatory black.

She also enjoys creating flattering pieces for men as well, something that is lacking on the dark fashion scene (Are you listening designers? Guys like clothes too!)

The final flourishes to Minx’s show were the tableaux used to show off the line. We watched a cocktail party unfold onstage, a boyfriend burdened by his girlfriend’s zealous purchases, a pillow fight at a kinky slumber party and some burlesque titillation all tastefully done, courtesy of the Shameless Dames Burlesque Troupe. This coupled with Perdition’s hard-edged covers of “Time after Time” (Cyndi Lauper), “I Give to You” (Nitzer Ebb), “Addicted to Chaos” (Megadeth), and “Logical Song” (Supertramp) rounded out the presentation nicely, and judging by the audience’s response, was received warmly.

As a post-script, Wicked Talent threw together an irreverent, wacky beauty-pageant that was amusing but left this reviewer scratching his head at the correlation. Perhaps a playful stab at the pretentiousness of the fashion community? Perhaps, but the playfulness of the evening and the lack of pretense was evident throughout the night – no Karl Lagerfeld’s or paparazzi here thankfully. Nothing but a fun much needed creative atmosphere of camaraderie!