VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK
S/S 2023
Vancouver Fashion Week S/S 2023 will take place at David Lam Hall , Oct 20 to 23rd 2022. Vancouver Fashion Week's biannual show's are a highlight of this blog and the fashion scene in Vancouver.
Since its conception in 2001, Vancouver Fashion Week has been dedicated to cultivating the success of both established designers and award-winning emerging designers with its global perspective and highly multicultural approach. Founded by entrepreneur Jamal Abdourahman, Vancouver Fashion Week was initially branded ‘International Fashion Week’ for its first season. Fiercely passionate about the fashion industry and his home city, Jamal made it his ongoing mission to travel to fashion capitals to connect with industry leaders and to keep Vancouver on the top of the fashion radar.
Excerpt from vanfashionweek.com
VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S 2023
VFW is unique in that it attracts brands from all over the world. VFW is a one-of-a-kind event that consistently brings industry professionals and innovative designers from all areas of the globe to celebrate creativity and diversity in fashion.
I am always excited to see the schedule of designers showing at VFW. I carefully read and reread the designer's biographies, visit their websites and eye their Instagrams. All of this is done, to acquaint me with the designers before their shows. I also do all this work for you, so you can read these preview posts and feel you are in the know. While I cannot preview all the designers, I try to preview something that appeals to all, While I may have an eye for the avant-garde, the new, and the inventive, I hope you all find something that excites you!
VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S 2023
DAY 1-OCT 20
The first night of VFW will open with the presentation from Tetyana Golota of "Love to Ukraine" a cultural display encouraging our support of the people of Ukraine. This is the second season that VFW is using it's platform to celebrate, support and give voice to Ukraine. I'm sure this will again be an exciting and emotional expression of culture and the horrors of war.
A designer I want to highlight is North Vancouver's own KOME Clothing, designed by Kjaer Neletia Pedersen. Kome Clothing is a label that features the designer's love of fabric and art. Each piece is unique and reflects Kjaer's love of color and pattern. I cannot wait to see the bright and artistic creations that KOME Clothing sends down the runway.
Another designer that excites me from the day one schedule is the Japanese label KU. As fashion moves towards more sustainability, a movement towards remaking used clothing has developed. KU is a label that specializes in repurposing used denim garments. KU is based on the concept of "kustom remake that does not make you feel old while making use of the used feeling." I am always looking towards labels that find new ways to evolve fashion as we know it.
VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S 2023
DAY 2- OCT 21
I have chosen two designers to preview for the second night. The first designer is the eponymous label TABITHA ANDELIN from Los Angeles. Tabitha Andelin designs sophisticated clothing that falls into the gap between streetwear and high-end fashion. The theme of sustainable fashion continues with this label that produces less wasteful small runs and uses fabrics that are repurposed and kept out of the landfill. From what I have seen so far, these clothes are unique, bold, and wearable.
Another designer I'm excited to see is Sri Lankan-Canadian designer Sujitha Shivajothi. SHIVAJOTHI is a gender-inclusive label. The movement to gender-fluid clothing is the future. Shivajothi explores creativity in clothing without the traditional confines of gender. This Vancouver-based designer incorporates South Asian aesthetics into traditionally tailored garments with intricate detailing and an embrace of slow fashion and quality fabrics.
VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S 2023
DAY 3-OCT 23
Day three will be another night of great design. First, in the program is Rosella, a 22-year-old designer from the Istituto Italiano Design in Perugia. Benedetta Risolo - Head of Internationals at Istituto Italiano Design in Perugia, has brought many graduates to show at Vancouver Fashion over the past few years. For me seeing international fashion is the lifeblood of VFW. Rosella will present her capsule collection entitled "Transition". "Transition was born at the beginning of 2022. It was inspired by those who want to get away from a reality they do not feel they belong. The collection is characterized by enveloping and majestic volumes that take over man or restrict movement. Despite volumes and restrictions, however, to catch a glimpse of the human body and the colors; likewise, their identity, which slowly comes out."
With our eyes now focused firmly on Europe another label showing on the third night is COCO CREATION from Switzerland. Upcycling, recycling, finding hidden treasures is the source of this completely handcrafted brand by designer Joanie Ecuyer. " At CoCo Création, each piece is unique, inspired by the material, which its creator enjoys finding in the huge stock she has accumulated. She doesn’t choose her fabrics, they come to her." I am looking forward to seeing the unique creations Coco Creation shows on the runway.
VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S 2023
DAY 4-OCT 23
The last night of VFW has a lot of talent scheduled to take to the runway, First, is an audience favorite ALEX YU. This dynamic designer never fails to send a fun, vibrant, and well-crafted collection down the catwalk. Alex's S/S 2023 Capsule 003 collection is inspired by Wong Kar-wei's film "Happy Together".
I love the design of shoes. The artistry and craftsmanship, ingenuity, and creativity that goes into designing a fabulous pair of shoes are Inspired. The Montreal-based brand MOLLY, by designer Wonu Adeshina, is an inspired shoe brand that merges beauty, functionalism, and luxury to give a playful take on footwear. I am looking forward to seeing this show and meeting this award-winning designer.
AY LELUM returns to the VFW catwalk after just showing with Global Fashion Collective at New York Fashion Week. Ay LeLum is a Coast Salish design house that produces a wide range of unique Fashions. Incorporating original and traditional art into clothing is the mainstay of this fashion-forward Indigenous brand. What will designer sisters Sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward Good have in store for us on Sunday night?
I hope I have aroused your curiosity and have encouraged you to attend Vancouver Fashion Week S/S 2023. I will be attending all four nights, and I will be writing reviews of some of the runway shows. Please feel free to approach me and reach out.
Visit VFW to purchase your tickets.
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CIAO FOR NOW J. ANDREW