Toronto Fashion constantly creates opportunities to come together and contribute to a meaningful cause. From Fashion Cares, the annual AIDS fundraister, to Fashion Takes Action, which promotes sustainable style, the community finds ways to meld its love of glamour with a desire to benefit others. No surprise since fashion is a reflection of what's happening in the world around us.

Last night at the Roosevelt Room, Cosmopolitan TV presented Haute Couture for Haiti, a unique runway show benefitting Haitian relief. Local designers Aime by Monica Mei, David Dixon, Brandon R. Dwyer, Lucian Matis, Vawk by Sunny Fong, and Jessica Biffi showcased select looks from their SS10 collections, many of which were seen on the runway at LG Fashion Week. Eye-catching accessories by Micalla, Trudelle Laker, Franke, Lia Sophia, and Jewellery by Karen dripped off the models for an added dimension.

Toronto Greenhouse, the networking group for environmentally-friendly entrepreneurs hosted its inaugural Green Holiday Party at First Canadian Place on Tuesday. The timely theme was green giving and speakers Rob Grand, founder of Grassroots stores, and Fashion Takes Action's creator Kelly Drennan gave the receptive audience some sound gift ideas like the sustainable womenswear above designed by Thieves and Deux FM (middle) provided courtesy of Toronto enviro-retailer Green Is Black.

Overheard was Green Party candidate Debborah Donnelly espousing the virtues of 5-cent plastic bags. The fee has resulted in the reduction of their usage by over 70%. Good news.

The message of the evening was that eco is now mainstream and business owners who fail to consider their footprint on the Earth will be left behind. Rob Grand, who founded Grassroots 15 years ago, marvelled at the environment's position as #1 national political issue, whereas when he opened shop it was difficult to get customers to commit to green products.

"An educated consumer is a green consumer," he says. "We're not here to send out hard-core messages but to give people things they use every day but in a more environmentally-friendly way."

Kelly Drennan, whose Green Gala (a sustainable style showcase) enjoys the title of Canada's greenest event according to Carbon Zero, ensures every aspect of her fashion shows are mindful of their footprint. Everything from the models' footwear, to hair (no driers or flat irons, please), to food and beverage service (guests sip on local and organic offerings as well as tap water), to LED lighting, are environmentally ethical.

"Fashion events are a lot of fun, but they can wreak havoc on the environment. At the same time, a green event should look and feel just like a regular event."

The fashion pioneer's latest venture is into the world of e-commerce. Shop Sustainable offers locally made, fairly traded goods, which require no batteries!

"These are not burlap sacks or hippie frocks. This is the direction fashion is going. We don't really have a choice."

Guests of the sixth annual Zareinu (Za-ray-nu) fundraiser at the ROM enjoyed an array of looks from Nada Shepherd and Thien Le's FW09 and SS10 collections. Jeanne Beker hosted the annual event which has already raised over $200,000 for the one-of-its-kind Jewish education centre offering support to families raising children with special needs. For almost 20 years, Zareinu has celebrated the individual strengths of special needs children and advocated their acceptance in the community.

The first host of Fashion Television gave a heartfelt speech about her feelings around the centre's importance in the lives of these families: "My Dad brought me up to believe you should not be afraid and to never give up and these kids never give up."

Leading up to NADA's showcase, clips from Fashion Week featured Kelly Drennan from Fashion Takes Action, loved local designer Brian Bailey, socialite Shannae Ingleton, and jewellry designer, Shay Lowe, expressing their support. Zareinu student Shayna's mother became weepy when recounting the story of her daughter's experience at Zareinu:

"Thank you for making Shayna's life and the life of other children and families immeasurably better."