Vancouver Fashion Week (Day 5)

Fifth Night of Vancouver Fashion Week Features Eclectic Styling: A Perfect Representation of Westcoast Lifestyle and Culture

The fifth night of Vancouver Fashion Week featured 12 designer runway shows on Friday, March 20th, 2015. The eclectic night featured both local and international talent on the runway with collections ranging from the most intricately detailed gowns of Noe Bernacelli to the essential street wear of Bench. The night included a wide-range of styles and cultural influences, which was a perfect representation of Vancouver style and culture.

Vancouver BC March 20, 2015 - The fifth night of Vancouver Fashion Week featured 15 emerging designers: Vitamin A Swim, Pillar by Allison Wonderland, Allison Wonderland, Sofia, WeSC & Deux Ex Machina, Covet, Brunette Showroom, Aniimism, Bench, Garcia, Scotch & Soda, Silvia Heach, Haveney, Night X Day, Noe Bernacelli.

California-based Vitamin A Swim started off the fifth night of VFW with a luxurious brand video displaying their well-crafted suits sported on models enjoying the sun on a sailboat. The runway set revealed bold coloured bikinis and innovative beach cover-ups that ranged both in style and materials from mesh tops to sheer drawstring trousers. Allison Wonderland followed with each of her collections which featured her archetypical 1970's inspired styling with leopard prints and a pioneering new headband designed for the top bun. Sophia presented her smart everyday collection of the essentials in a neutral palette.

Eco-brand Covet and locals, the Brunette Showroom used bright patterns and textures in their collections which were nothing short of right on trend with exceptional styling. The pieces in  Aniimiism's collection made use of African-styled prints, feathers and fur and gave a contrast to the more subdued palette's of the street wear collections.

International talent included Australia's Deus Ex Machina and Sweden's WESC that displayed women's and men's everyday and outerwear. The street wear collection by Bench began with a video of the models in an industrial setting keeping true to the lifestyle of the brand and the show was well-received by the spectators. Scotch & Soda, Garcia, Silvian Heach and Korea's Night X Day presented authentic basic collections with definitively unique tailoring and influences from the late 80's and early 90's in their styling. Ripped grunge denim, cropped blazers, high waisted fit skirts and trousers and screen printed tops were emphasized on the catwalk.

In addition to their spot on the runway, the Brunette Showroom were selling their own brand Brunette is the New Black printed apparel in the bustling Designer's Lounge. Tops with clever prints, such as "Fries before Guys" were available for purchase from the attendees. Alongside their pop up was Belgium Designer Laurence Pirnay with her elegant Prêt-à-Porter collection.

France's Haveney showed a strong brand video and collection done in a mostly black and white fabric with drape and styling that called attention to the natural female form.

Peruvian Designer Noe Bernacelli's collection of gown's completed the fifth night of VFW. Bernacelli's passion for artwork and meticulous styling were displayed in the last show of the night. The models exhibited a graceful, refined quality that stayed authentic to the collection. As Symone the host of VFW put it--"[Bernacelli's] show will give you life."

 For more information visit: http://vanfashionweek.com

Vancouver Fashion Week (Day 3)

Third Night of Vancouver Fashion Week: Emerging Designers Present an Exceptional Showcase

 The third night of Vancouver Fashion Week featured 11 emerging designer runway shows on Wednesday, March 18th, 2015. Among the collections the show featured internationally acclaimed talent, two couture designers and several collections that spoke to the 1920's era and echoed themes from the Art Deco Movement. Intricate rhinestone headpieces, strong vertical lines and Flapper-style fringe all made appearances throughout the show.

 Vancouver BC March 18, 2015 - The third night of Vancouver Fashion Week featured emerging designers: Averynthe, Kate's Couture by Kate Miles,  LaSalle College (Adam-Lin Bungang, Yicheng Chen, Su Yang and Shunan Zeng), Quynntessential Couture by Quynn, Dervish Dubai, A to Z, Encima and Sara Armstrong. North Vancouver's Loigs Music Lab provided the sound for the night.

 From fascinators, straight silhouettes to rhinestone bejewelled beadwork-- several of the designs echoed a modern twist on the 1920's flapper and the Great Gatsby. The night began with a full house and a high energy during Averynthe's collection which featured gowns with a kimono-style drape and jewelry reminiscent of the Art Deco Movement. The four collections presented by LaSalle College cohesively gave a sobering tone to their runway show inspired by the same era by using classical music and a neutral palette.

 The show featured two couture designers, Kate's Couture by Kate Miles and Quynntessential Couture by Quynn. The two intricate collections were a stark juxtaposition in the show featuring exquisite one-of-a-kind gowns. Kate Miles collection presented a bold palette and used ruching and translucent fabrics along with highly meticulous beadwork to create a stunning collection. Quynntessential Couture gave a consistent, sweet 1940's pin-up with elegant accessories that resonated a very feminine feel.

 In the Designers Lounge, Kat Made Jewellery, Groma Eco Apparel and Bad Habit were full of activity. The designers engaged and presented their collections which were available for sale throughout the night. Internationally acclaimed Peruvian designer, Noe Bernacelli, presented his pieces as well during the second break for purchase off the rack. Kat Made Jewellery is inspired by travels and created by hand from beads collected around the world and even a few antique pieces that have been repurposed into new pieces.

 Ready-to-wear was the keyword in the last half the third night of VFW. Dervish Dubai's sporty apparel collection exhibited a sense of soul by using inspirational phrases and words adorned to the garments-- a quality very original in the category of active apparel. Washington-based A to Z's very bohemian collection gave a fresh spin using mesh and translucent layering. Encima's unique Made In Canada collection was very well received. The show closed with Sara Armstrong, which began her set with her brand video. The video featured her models as Ninja's but sporting her collection rather than the traditional uniform. Her runway show was perfectly fluid and showcased her unparalleled use of geometric forms and her keen eye for balance in design.

For more information visit: http://vanfashionweek.com/