Host of Bollywood Blvd on OMNI Television, Veronica Chail, was once again the beautiful muse representing Toronto’s award-winning fashion designer, Pat McDonagh, at the 5th annual Dare to Wear Love fashion gala in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation held on March 28th, 2014 at the Ritz Carlton.
The significance in this year’s gala is that on her 80th birthday, Pat McDonagh, now battles bone cancer. She had wanted to do her final heritage collection of 10 pieces for this past World MasterCard Fashion Week FW14 but due to her serious illness, the development of the collection was delayed and she was also not able to personally attend this year’s Dare to Wear Love.
I asked Veronica Chail about how she felt about being dressed in Pat McDonagh’s “last hurrah” heritage collection at Dare to Wear Love 2014.
In both the 2013 and 2014 I had the massive honour to walk in the Dare To Wear Love runway shows on behalf of designer Pat McDonagh – who calls me her muse – yes, I still pinch myself about that because I’m so inspired by Pat.
I loved rocking the big hair and being draped in the fabulous jewels along with my dramatic makeup. My outfit had a super glam 1940s feel with a plunging neckline. Thank goodness for double sided tape and my incredible stylist Dale Hodder who made sure everything was in place. The dress also had Wonder Woman shoulders which to me represents Pat’s daring and fun attitude.
Pat has a wild and beautiful spirit and a relentless passion for design and life. She is the real deal – a true artist who has contributed a lot to the Canadian fashion industry for decades. I have learned so much from her uncommon brilliance, beauty and boldness! I feel so lucky to wear her custom made pieces because her attention to detail is unparalleled and I’m so blessed to have her in my life. I cherish all my times with her at her boutique – chatting about life and indulging in pastries and tea. She is so special to me.
Very proud of you, Veronica! It was an honour for me as well to be there for this important milestone. The gala’s theme this year was “Superheroes” and Veronica Chail certainly looks like a superwoman.
Pat McDonagh’s feature video by the Toronto Star can be found here
Check out the recent Toronto Star feature on Toronto’s long-time fashion icon, Pat McDonagh here

Veronica Chail and Pat McDonagh at last year’s Dare to Wear Love gala with the theme of “Flower Power” | Photo via Veronica Chail
For more info about Dare to Wear visit www.daretowearlove.com
More photos from the Dare to Wear Love gala by Nick Lee
- Backstage with Traci Melchor
- Zaib Shaikh from CBC’s LIttle Mosque on the Prairie
- Mike Bradwell (Toronto Argos)
- Veronica Chail getting ready backstage with her Pat McDonagh dress
- AJ Sovani
- Kirk Pickersgill and Stephen Wong snap photos of Sylvia Mantella
- Sylvia Mantella
- The runway before the show starts
- Divine Brown wearing Hoax Couture with jewels by Alan Anderson
- Divine Brown wearing Hoax Couture with jewels by Alan Anderson
- Melani Chong wearing Whitney Linen with jewelery by Rita Tesolin
- Melani Chong wearing Whitney Linen with jewelery by Rita Tesolin
- Veronica Chail on the runway
- Veronica Chail on the runway
- Veronica Chail on the runway
- Amoryn Engel (National Post & Hello Magazine Society editor) wearing Greta Constantine
- Brad Lamb wearing Farley Chatto… and a wig
- Moe Kelso wearing Brian Bailey
- Victoria Ford wearing Philpott Couture
- Scott Fordham Choreography
- Joanne Smith (Gemini award-winning Broadcaster and model) wearing IZ by Izzy Camilleri Adaptive Clothing
- Jessica Phillips (Host of CBC’s Four Rooms) wearing Dylanium Knits with jewelery by Rita Tesolin
- Jenna Bitove (Stylist, The Room) wearing Lida Baday
- Jenna Bitove (Stylist, The Room) wearing Lida Baday
- Winey Bernard (Coco and Cowe) wearing Hoax Couture
- Amanda Brugel (City TV’s “Seed”) wearing Linda Lundstrom
- Aliya-Jasmine Sovani wearing Ines Di Santo
- Aliya-Jasmine Sovani wearing Ines Di Santo
- Mike Bradwell (Toronto Argos) wearing HD Homme
- D’Bi Young
- Helen Yee, a Dare to Wear Love Challenge winner
- Matt Apedaile and Digby Carpenter wearing Peach Berserk
- Traci Melchor (Co-host The Social / eTalk) wearing Damzels in this Dress
- HGTV’s Love it or List It, Hilary Farr, wearing Réva Mivasagar
- HGTV’s Love it or List It, Hilary Farr, wearing Réva Mivasagar
- Actor Zaib Shaikh with Kirstine Stewart, head of Twitter Canada
- Camille Moore (camicooks.com) wearing David Dixon
- Stacey McKenzie leading the finale
- Melani Chong wearing Whitney Linen with jewelery by Rita Tesolin
- Victoria Ford and friends
- Melanie Chong (wearing Whitney LInen), Moe Kelso (wearing Brian Bailey)
- Camille Moore, Glenn Dixon
- David Dixon, Camille Moore
- David Dixon, Camille Moore, Suzanne Rogers
- David Dixon, Camille Moore, Suzanne Rogers
- Veronica Chail being interviewed
- Donna Kuczynski, Vicky Milner
- Veronica Chail wearing Pat McDonagh
- Veronica Chail wearing Pat McDonagh
- Helen Yee, a Dare to Wear Love challenge winner
- R: Jenna Bitove
- R: Jenna Bitove
You won’t be seeing the last of #PatMcDonagh. We'll continue for years to come. Look forward to our April Exhibit of our Heritage Collection
— Pat McDonagh (@pat_mcdonagh) March 19, 2014