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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Images by Dale Rollings |
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| 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.
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.
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.
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.
One Delirious Dream
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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.”
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| Images by Dale Rollings |
Thursday at VFW -
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| Images by Dale Rollings |
Wednesday at VFW -
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.
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| 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.
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| Images by Ed Ng Photography |
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| Images by Ed Ng Photography |
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| Images by Harry Leonard Imagery |
Tuesday at VFW -
Encima
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| 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!"
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| 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.
“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
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.
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| 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
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| Images by Dale Rollings |
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