Spring/Summer 2026: Vancouver Fashion Week Preview
The city's about to shimmer — it's that time again! Vancouver Fashion Week takes place from October 15th to 19th at David Lam Hall, transforming downtown Vancouver into a vibrant playground of style, creativity, and cultural exchange.
Since 2018, I've had the pleasure (and the privilege) of covering VFW, and each season feels like a fresh conversation between emerging talent and established visionaries. This Spring/Summer 2026 edition promises no less — a rich mix of local, Canadian, and international designers offering everything from architectural tailoring to whimsical avant-garde, from high-glam couture to beautifully wearable art.
What makes VFW so uniquely Vancouver is its heartbeat of diversity — a place where different voices, cultures, and aesthetics meet on equal footing and remind us that fashion is for everyone.
I've been deep in research mode, uncovering the stories and inspirations behind this season's collections. While I can't highlight every designer (there are too many gems to count), I've curated a cross-section that captures the spirit of what's to come — a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and bold individuality.
Here is my preview of the first three days of Vancouver Fashion Week
VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S 2026
DAY 1Preview
The opening night of Vancouver Fashion Week is a celebration. The opening spot often sets a tone for what will unfold on the runway over the next five nights of fashion, culture, and diversity.
Opening Vancouver Fashion Week S/S 2026 is Gurl 23—by designer Larissa Healey, and she is ready to shake the runway. A Two-Spirit artist of Anishinabe and Cree descent, Larissa's creative voice bridges graffiti, hip hop, beadwork, and regalia, transforming lived experience into visual power.
A Sixties Scoop survivor and celebrated artist whose work has graced the Vancouver Art Gallery, Bill Reid Gallery, and National Gallery of Canada, Larissa brings decades of storytelling to fashion with her new collection BROKN AROW.
This collection blends the Sundance and the 60s Scoop into a moving act of truth-telling and reconciliation. Expect sewn textiles, street-art energy, and spirit in motion.
I can't wait for October 15th, when her vision lights up the runway. With Gurl 23, fashion becomes ceremony—alive, rooted, and revolutionary.
VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S 2026
Day 2 Preview
When it comes to nurturing the next generation of Canadian fashion talent, I have a soft spot for institutions that do the work — and The Cut Design Academy is one of them. Founded by the visionary Liza D., The Cut has become a creative hub where students don't just learn design; they live it.
As someone who believes deeply in the power of fashion education, I'm always thrilled to see programs that blend imagination with industry-ready skills. Whether it's fashion design, interior design, makeup artistry, or graphic design, The Cut provides students with the kind of hands-on learning that turns creative passion into professional purpose.
The Cut Academy has four students presenting collections:
1) Jon Grierson, the creative mind behind Fieldstock x Scrounge, is redefining modern outerwear with a conscience. A graduate of The Cut Design Academy and a self-professed geographer at heart, he merges sustainability with function — crafting garments from soil-to-soil fabrics and locally recovered materials designed to weather our changing climate. In an era of microplastics and vanishing PFAS, Grierson's work isn't just fashion; it's a blueprint for how we'll dress in the future we must learn to live in.
2) Cindy Kelley Sunshine of CYN the Label brings pure fire with her new collection, Gangstress — a fierce celebration of feminine power rooted in her Dakota-Irish heritage. Her designs don't whisper; they command space, reminding us that strength and style can walk hand in hand (in heels, no less).
3) Zenaida Rodriguez, the creative force behind Zodri, is redefining eveningwear with sculpted silhouettes and a touch of modern allure. Currently honing her craft at The Cut Design Academy, she brings a fresh, confident take on classic glamour. Her designs don't just turn heads — they hold them, celebrating femininity and individuality with unapologetic grace.
4) Solange Mackenzie Sellis had her Carrie Bradshaw moment the instant Vivienne Westwood's cloud gown floated across the screen — and honestly, haven't we all? That scene sparked her lifelong love affair with fabric, form, and the emotional power of fashion. " Each piece is an exploration of identity, a dialogue between designer and wearer, and a testament to the belief that fashion is as much about empathy as it is about aesthetics."
I have visited The Cut Academy and was excited to see such a committed group of designers and instructors. Fashion schools come in all sizes and styles; however, for many, the boutique style is an ideal learning environment. I'm excited to see these designers show their creations.
VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S 2026
Day 3 Preview
Friday night at Vancouver Fashion Week is going to be a star-studded event. The evening will feature several designers from Vancouver and other parts of British Columbia. I have relationships with several of the designers presenting, and I am excited to see what they will put down the runway.
The first I would like to highlight is designer Eduardo Ramos. Eduardo Ramos is one of those rare designers who make fashion feel like theatre — bold, fluid, and impeccably tailored. The Mexican-Canadian couturier has carved out a global spotlight since launching his label in 2022, with features in Vogue, Elle, and Harper’s Bazaar singing his praises. From Vancouver to Paris, Ramos’s runway shows are more than fashion—they’re emotional landscapes stitched with power, femininity, and unapologetic glamour. Watching his rise is witnessing the success of a friend and a great talent, and I think we will have another powerful presentation on Friday.
I’ve followed the career of Farzaneh Jahangard, the visionary behind Fefe Couture, forsometime now, and I’m genuinely excited to see what she brings to the runway this season. Known for her impeccable tailoring and empowering designs, Fefe blends confidence and elegance with an artist’s precision. In collaboration with Shannon Chung of Shannon Studios, whose bold illustrations become wearable art through Fefe’s craftsmanship, the duo is set to debut their Alter Ego collection—an exploration of creativity, individuality, and pure runway magic.
The final preview for Day Three brings us to Ay Lelum, the extraordinary second-generation Coast Salish Design House from Nanaimo, B.C. — and trust me, this is one show you don’t want to miss. Sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good continue to carry forward their family legacy with breathtaking artistry and purpose. I’ve followed and reviewed Ay Lelum – The Good House of Design for years, and their Bright Stars Collection, fresh from Paris Fashion Week, promises to shine just as brilliantly here at home. Blending traditional Coast Salish art with contemporary couture, their creations celebrate culture, inclusivity, and sustainability — fashion with heart, heritage, and a whole lot of soul.
CONCLUSION
This is my preview of the first three days of Vancouver Fashion Week. The countdown is on, darlings—Vancouver Fashion Week S/S 2026 is almost here! From October 15–19, the runway at the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver will come alive with bold creativity, cultural storytelling, and the kind of fashion that makes you feel something. I’ve had the privilege of previewing some of the incredible talent gracing the stage this year, and trust me, you won’t want to miss it. Tickets are still available, so gather your fellow fashion enthusiasts, secure your seats, and let’s celebrate the artistry and innovation of our vibrant fashion community. I can’t wait to see you there, darling—let’s make this season unforgettable!
CIAO FOR NOW J. ANDREW JACKSON