From the moment I entered the majestic Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, I knew I was in for an exciting and unforgettable night. As a rookie stumbling into the realm of fashion, with Vancouver Fashion Week as my first experience at an official fashion extravaganza, I did not know what to expect. I had thrown together a somewhat presentable outfit, but upon entering the venue, I realized that I was thoroughly under-dressed. However, I was thrilled to have been able to skip the extensive lineup with my front row media pass, and upon running into a few friends before the show has started, I recognized how significant this seasonal celebration was, to the fashionable Vancouverites.
The reception area radiated with a sense of elegance, as the interiors were embellished with oriental designs and patterns. As I entered the runway area, I saw rows of fashionably original guests, ready for the event. In my opinion, Vancouver Fashion Week has truly represented the atmosphere of the city. The cameramen, models, reporters and devout fashion bloggers were all mingling together on the runway in a very inclusive, yet creativity-brewing way. This scene looked like a glamorous rainbow-colour cake mix, as people dressed in high-fashion and grunge street style, have strangely, but fashionably conversed with one another.
As the show began, the works by local Vancouverite Womenswear designer Alex S. Yu seized my attention right away. He opened the night with a series of striking statement pieces, which were conjoined with appropriate and female-empowering beats. His minimalistic use of poignant block colour schemes; inclusion of sophisticated turtlenecks; with an almost geometric mismatch of fabric panels has stunned the audiences. It was certainly a strong and remarkable beginning to the show. The models were collectively sporting in white plimsoles, which allowed me to focus onto Yu’s works easily, instead of having to shamelessly lust over the tasteful designs of stilettos and platform heels, which were presented by other subsequent designers. As the models skittered through the chattering crowds to pose for cameras that came their way during the frequent ten-minute breaks, it also gave me the opportunity to get a glimpse of the pieces up close. With the showroom conveniently situated a floor above the bustle, people were encouraged by the staff to head upstairs to see the pieces.
Local Vancouver designer, Evan Clayton’s collection was also one that I have noticed, as he has presented a whimsical art installation set with battered chairs and wooden platforms. The models trickled down the runway in their pastel and monochrome wear, and they insinuated into the installation by interacting with it with a fairytale-like ambience. This particular performance by Clayton’s FW16 ‘Worship’ collection stood out from its co-collections with the warm lighting, and the overall colour scheme of the set. It has, indeed, presented an imaginative collaboration between the themes of womanhood and craftsmanship.
VFW has effectively catered to a wide range of styles, and has shone light onto the exceptional talents who are engaged in the menswear section. The brands LAT (Latin Athletic Taylor) and Encima Clothing unveiled a unique contrast, where the prior’s daring and bold appearance clashed magically with the latter’s sleek and classic style. With a picturesque blend of long, plastic-black garments with clean-cut proportions, LAT gave off a very cool vibe as their uniformed models marched across the runway. To me, it was as if the runway was too small to contain their booming presence. On the other hand, ENCIMA has highlighted its newest men’s collection with a smooth, sleek masculinity. Its performance began with the male models tailing off the stage one by one. The performance was structurally integrated with the clothing’s classy vibe.
This prominent fashion event has not only opened my eyes, but the inclusiveness that I have felt during the event was also very reassuring to a newbie like me. The VFW has successfully embraced anyone who enjoys the sight of fashion, and has built an environment which brimmed with creative inspirations. All in all, this fantastic occasion was an example of a multifaceted platform that encouraged both designers and audience to interact with what they do best; and not to mention, the extremely wearable styles have enticed and reassured me. It’s always great to know that you can look like just as polished in real life too.
See more photos of the show here, via our live feed on our Instagram account.