You know that one of my favorite fashion weeks is the NYFW, yet beyond the classics – NYC, London, Paris, Milan, other fashion cities claim to be equally cool and interesting. Day 6 – Vancouver, BC – at the David Lam Hall in downtown Vancouver marked a sensational evening of design talent from across the world.
Returning designer Kirsten Ley stunned the crowd with a dark and powerful collection. ‘Nero’ featured a considered color palette of blacks, neutrals, and deep greens. Sculptured leather was juxtaposed with sheer feminine features, with fitted midi skirts and straight leg pants. It was an artistic expression for FW18.
Blue denim chaps and contrast edge collars brought a western vibe to Evan Clayton’s FW 18 collection NAUSICAÄ, a visual exploration of the classic Studio Ghibli film. Flounced silk voile and crystal clear rhinestone embellishments brought out a feminine feel with a muted palette of black, pewter, navy, and soft nude.
Inspired by the transition into the new year, YoonKyung Jang for Korean brand SETSETSET has designed festive prints featuring graphic stripes and white florals in bright colours of red, blue, pale pink, lime green, and yellow. Peplum waists and frilled hems give an ultra-feminine feel to fitted skirts and jackets which are paired with red tights and pointed heels.
Japanese designer Nozomi Kuwahara presented a playful collection in a bold colour palette of yellows, pinks, purples, and reds. Hints of humour shine through the line with a yellow high turtleneck totally covering the face, a mock crocodile leather dress complete with eyeball embellishments, and colourful ‘shoe monsters’ adorning the models feet. Experiments in fluffy faux fur and a red sparkly ‘tongue’ wrap around dress gave a youthful feel for FW18.
Eros Tolentino, an Italian designer, featured ruffled dresses with overlapping fabrics. Inspired by the true story of 52, the loneliest whale in the world, Tolentino uses raw fabrics and oversized silhouettes to give a soft feel to an artistic, conceptual line. Basic staple pieces such as button downs, trousers, and tailleur are the fundamentals for textile manipulations.
Vancouver local, Alex S. Yu returns to VFW for FW18. His unisex collection ‘The Crimson Demur’ featured loose structured silhouettes with subtle patterns. In classic Alex S. Yu style there was a casual feminine feel with bright reds complimented by both deep and pastel pinks in mini and floor-length looks. For menswear, we saw statement bomber jackets, shorts, and pocketed T-shirts.
On Day 7 of the Vacouver Fashion Week, NOT DEAD YET, an experimental menswear label from Vancouver, explored identity and sexuality in the collection SHAME. Models walked with attitude wearing latex in black, vibrant yellow, and acid green with white text emblazoned across garments.
A duo show meshed the work of US based brands Yuner Shao x Zherui Huang seamlessly together. Yuner Shao’s creations acted as a canvas to carry anti-propaganda messages fusing graphic prints in primary colours. Bright yellow patch pockets and loose belts enhanced the youthful vibe.’
Zherui Huang’s casual unisex collection had a focus on technical details. Zips, buckles, and laces infused a sports aesthetic into loose silhouettes with asymmetric shaping. Men’s bold blue wide leg pants featured hanging straps and contrast yellow detail for a modern, fresh look.
Next, designer Nadrey Laurent from Ghana showcased a sleek line of figure-flattering dresses with a clerical inspiration. An extensive use of black and white was a nod to the Catholic nun Louise, the Black Nun of Moret, with prints of her character adorning the fronts of looks. A black full-length dress with gold floral detail and high ruffled neckline stole the show.
Milena Rojas brought modern pieces to the runway with computer code prints on transparent PVC layers. This Chilean designer has experimented with texture, utilising tubes and curved lines of beadwork to adorn sweaters, dresses, and culottes. A dark color palette of blacks and forest greens brings a moody feel to FW18. Sunday showcased a strong variation of design aesthetics with an evening of delights to end the FW18 season at Vancouver Fashion Week.
