Vancouver Fashion Week F/W 17 - Buy Local

A few season a go I decided I needed to offer a very different kind of coverage for local designers showcasing in Vancouver Fashion Week. That's when I conceived of a BUY LOCAL column. Every garment shown that is available for you locally is here in one place. 

Because of the amount of coverage, all I can offer is an excerpt from their press release or VFW designer profile, but in the end, let's face it the pictures are what showcase their collections the best.

If you want a vibrant and healthy local fashion scene, there is only one way to achieve it. With YOUR support. Share about your favourites designers or look on your Social Media pages and try and add at least one garment from a local designer to your closet each and every season. Make it a cherished piece that can stay a vibrant part of your wardrobe for years to come.

There are many amazing Vancouver artists hitting the runway this season. This column will be added to each day their are new offerings.

Sunday at VFW - 

Evan Clayton

THE DEVIL IN MISS JONES, the A/W 2017 offering from EVAN CLAYTON, is a whimsical journey through 17th century Italy. Filtered through the eyes of famed sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the collection is a sensuous satire of modern purity, much in the same way Bernini explored irony in his work. Winner of the prestigious inaugural Nancy Mak award, Clayton’s fashion shows always create a theatrical, engaging performance, and this collection is no exception. Major points of reference include “The Ecstasy of St. Teresa”, as well as the notorious 1973 film “The Devil in Miss Jones”, from which the collection gets its namesake. THE DEVIL IN MISS JONES promises to be an exposition of contradiction.

Images by Dale Rollings 
17th century daywear and evening costumes provide the guiding light for which the EVAN CLAYTON consumer can follow into the coming A/W season. On one hand she’ll reach for her trusted mid-wash denim frock coat, with the other, a sumptuous velvet evening dress. The clinical silhouette usually synonymous with EVAN CLAYTON has been softened, edges have been blurred, and frivolity takes the place of stark minimalism. A colour palette of periwinkle, gold, ivory, and powdered grey bring visions of lofty artist studios and lithely carved marble.

Images by Dale Rollings 

Alex S Yu 

ALEX S. YU creates colourful and minimal garments that explore the fine line between reality and fantasy. His aesthetics rollick the happy emotions of childhood, nostalgia and wanderlust; and ponder the very definition of femininity in a modern, quirky way through garments. He trained at Blanche Macdonald Centre in Vancouver and then furthered his education at the prestigious London College of Fashion in the United Kingdom.

Images by Dale Rollings 


The ALEX S. YU woman loves to have fun, and isn’t afraid of trying new things. She loves colour, prints, quirky shapes, textures, and most importantly, values comfort. The ALEX S. YU woman is eccentric, lively, nonchalant and views life through a pair of rose tinted glasses. ALEX S. YU creates a line of contemporary luxury streets wear that is ready-to-wear with a twist of avant garde experimental attitude. He plays with proportions, colour blocking and unusual silhouettes while mixing and using different colours and fabric weights in one garment. He often designs his own original prints or collaborates with various artists from the graphic design or visual arts field to create original prints for his collection.

Images by Dale Rollings 


Saturday at VFW - 

Sara Armstrong

Saskatchewan native and Blanche Macdonald grad Sara Armstrong is an internationally-acclaimed, interdisciplinary artist who practices in both fashion and industrial design, and has been featured in Vogue UK, Glamour UK, and Elle Italia, Mexico, China, and Canada. Armstrong creates ready to wear pieces for Men and Women, with an androgynous blur, at once loyal to the functionality of heritage craftsmanship and subversive in their welcoming of innovative details. [The designer's]Autumn/Winter 2017-18 instalment impels introspection of her childhood nightmares to a palpable confrontation, an intimacy with her unease. 

Images by Dale Rollings 
 Pushing beyond the static of the dream, rich, conflicted colours clash and then tuck deftly into tailored turns, an orchestrated, sophisticated chaos of pattern, textures and time.  Armstrong romanticizes the deafening pulsation of her dreams through the stoic, rhythmic portraits of 17th Century Flemish Baroque painter, Sir Anthony Van Dyck. From him, she also borrows an emphasis on visual tactility, blending the vibrating imagery of pattern with luxuriant billows of textures. Excavating deeper into this space, the collection gathers fragments of history into a re-interpretation of tailoring, and explores qualities of cloth, colour and drape. Generous swathes of wool cinch nimbly at the waist, and give rise to luminescent shades of cotton, linens and silks. Hand construction methods—such as smocking—are revivified through the use of new materials. This instalment will see a collaborative display of audio and visual, orchestrated by artist and film-maker, Kerry Chambers and multimedia artist, Mohamed Ibrahim Ali.

Images by Dale Rollings 
Kim Legler

Kim Legler is a self-taught Artist, and trained Fashion Designer. She has been painting for over 10 years, and designing for 7 years. Kim specializes in fine art, and tailored womenswear. She also works as a Fashion Stylist where she has developed ever-lasting relationships with her clients. Kim's design aesthetic is minimalistic, yet feminine. Her silhouettes are mostly tailored, and clean-lined. Hailing from Canada's Great North, she is often inspired by the serenity of nature & the vibrancy of city-life.

Images by Dale Rollings 




Kim Legler is a lifestyle brand, a place where women can buy beautiful handmade clothes, art & accessories. We not only design for chic & sophisticated women but also for the creative ladies out there. It is our mission to bring you unique, non-manufactured pieces that can't be found anywhere else. Each piece at Kim Legler tells a story & is carefully designed for you with love.

Images by Dale Rollings 







Friday at VFW - 

Aiki District

Aiki District officially launched in December 2016 and its contemporary designs have already been featured in numerous publications. The duo, Anahita Faghih and Maneli Nourbakhsh are Co-Founders and designers for Aiki District. It is a contemporary women’s wear line, Made in Vancouver, inspired by the beauty and strength of individuals who go beyond limitations and challenge their own norms. The brand is made for travelers, nomads and the uninhibited.

Images by Dale Rollings 

They hold a basic vision: to present well crafted, comfortable, quality pieces that inspire and cover every part of an explorer’s diary. With the use of fine quality fabrics, maintaining high ethical standards, and focusing on sustainability, we create contemporary pieces with powerful silhouettes that last beyond a season.


Images by Dale Rollings 




One Delirious Dream

Jennifer Bond and Cecilia Bright have been sewing together since they were children. They have similar aesthetics but different ideas about self expression. One Delirious Dream was created to combine their love for fine garments and proper fit. Clothing is made to order, and accompanied with a fitting at their studio. Their main aesthetic is drawn heavily from the occult and macabre, monochromatic palettes, nature, and historical garments. It is dark, hazy, a little decadent and very dramatic. 

Images by Dale Rollings 
Cecilia primarily designs and with Jennifer’s input they truly create unique pieces that are cohesive and easy to put together for a lifestyle effect. Women are not made out of a mold, and should not be on a pedestal. We want to help you leave the ideals of society, and express yourself the way you want to be seen and heard. Take up space, over dress, be sumptuous. “We like to create bold statement looks without using too much colour, that are both haunting and beautiful. Something curious, and highly intimidating.”

Images by Dale Rollings 

Thursday at VFW - 


Mary Ebra became engrossed with fashion at a very young age when she observed how people in her native Iran went through a revolution in fashion. She began her fashion career in fashion at age 15 and debuted her first line in Tehran, Iran, before graduating from high school. When Mary immigrated to Canada, she enrolled in the fashion program at the Blanche Macdonald Center in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her contemporary, vivid, and youthful pieces have become vital wardrobe additions for working women who are seeking modern, striking leatherwear pieces that are bold, perfect for work, and far from dowdy.


Images by Dale Rollings



Wednesday at VFW - 

Lo Life x Lauren Kemp

Lauren a.k.a Lo is a local Vancouver designer. Her collection is all about texture, easy layering with a rock and roll infused edge – but with a slight variation, everything is up cycled from thrifted or vintage garments that are locally sourced in Vancouver. Her current line focuses on hand embroidered vintage and thrifted goods – but this collection will showcase her expansion into up cycled garments.


Images by Harry Leonard Imagery


Tima.G

Tima.G Atelier’s philosophy threads function, elegance and storytelling together. Not only capturing but also preserving the fleeting nature of emotion in timeless garments. Stemming from the designer’s own experience in finding the best path, the brand encompasses the many facets through which life can be interpreted. With over 70 years of cumulative experience, the Tima.G brand’s ready-to-wear and custom-made garments are handcrafted locally, in shop, with the utmost attention and value on detail and quality. Encompassing pristine characteristics, these garments emulate the grace desirable to be donned at any occasion.


Images by Ed Ng Photography



Images by Ed Ng Photography


Coming from an extensive musical background in piano and attending opera and Broadway productions inspired a love for costume design and film studies.  Ashley entered her post-secondary studies having received KPU’s Leaders of Tomorrow President’s Entrance Scholarship and her A.R.C.T. in piano performance. Ashley’s curiosity and determination for personal excellence led her to be selected as a finalist for Telio’s 2015 national competition.  During a semester abroad in Berlin, Germany at HTW Ashley developed cultural sensitivity and a global mind-set to direct her.  Ashley is currently working in the lingerie design industry while continuing to research and developed her lingerie collection Ginger & Flora Intimates.

Images by Ed Ng Photography
Ginger & Flora designs lingerie exclusively for sizes 28DD-34GG that is delicate, luxurious, and beautifully crafted.  Our name speaks to the two personalities in every woman; Ginger is playful and foxy where Flora conveys femininity and romanticism.   With the focus on exceptional fit and comfort when constructing garments, the combination of function and fashion is essential to our brand. Each stitch and seam has a purpose to create silhouettes that compliment and enhance the body.  Nostalgic hand embroidered details contrast digitally printed textiles on silhouettes reminiscent of decades past for our F/W’17 collection Heirloom.\


KIRSTEN LEY is an artist who enjoys empowering women through confidence-inducing clothing. Constructing eponymous, avant garde and visceral pieces, she juxtaposes structurally bound leather with the whimsy of fervent, flowing silks, while exploring structural details inspired by both vintage and modern anatomy diagrams. Kristen was also overall Achievement Award winner for Blanche Macdonald in 2016.


Images by Harry Leonard Imagery


Tuesday at VFW - 

Encima

"Encima is a contemporary menswear brand based out of Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2015 by designer Faiz Lalani, the goal has been to design and create unique garments utilizing colours and materials that best represent our individuality. We don’t all look the same, so why should we dress the same. This mentality is what strongly influences the design aesthetic that can be found on each and every Encima piece."



Images by Harry Leonard Imagery





Mahari Collection

Taran Mullhi established Mahari Collection in Spring 2015. Having previously worked in the buzzing London and New York fashion industries, Taran now designs from her Vancouver based studio for her global clientele base. Inspired by her British & Indian heritage she aims to combine these two cultural aesthetics through her designs to create a mix & match wardrobe which is versatile and timeless. "The collection is built on a soft colour palette with subtle pops of vibrant hues which are accented by decadent embroidery detailing. Designs include ethereal gowns and voluminous skirts paired with bold capes. I loved pairing flowing silhouettes which delicate embroideries - a signature aesthetic to the Mahari Collection brand!"

Images by Ed Ng Photography
Shelley Klassen - Blushing Boutique Designs

Blushing Boutique Designer Shelley Klassen is thrilled to present her “Going to the Chapel” Collection at Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW). Blushing Boutique is the flagship store of Canadian designer Shelley Klassen. This spring marks the boutique’s 10 year anniversary. Having covertly provided custom bridal to her clients over the years, Shelley has decided to showcase a stunning ‘Blushing’ Wedding Collection featuring frocks for the bride, wedding party as well as for the guests attending.

Images by Dale Rollings 

“This collection comes straight from the heart. Vintage inspired lace, cascading beadwork, ruffled chiffons and florals, rich silks in colors of gold, cobalt, blush, magenta, phthalo green and pearly off white. Classic cuts sprinkled with feminine touches of romance designed to represent the beauty and joy of the sacred union of love.” – Shelley Klassen

Images by Dale Rollings 

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