Related story: Runway to Runway: Fashion takes Flight

Founded in 2017 by David Chen, the event was born from a deeply personal journey marked by loss, resilience, and gratitude. After losing his wife to cancer in 2012, Chen sought a meaningful way to honor her legacy while giving back to the community that supported him through unimaginable hardship. What began as a tribute has since evolved into one of Vancouver’s most inspiring cultural showcases.

Since its inception, the International Fashion Gala has grown into a vibrant platform celebrating diversity, artistic excellence, and emerging talent. Each year, it brings together acclaimed designers, performers, artists, and audiences from around the world. Creating a dynamic intersection of fashion and culture.

This year’s gala will gather elite designers, cultural icons, and creative visionaries whose collections reflect stories of heritage, perseverance, and identity. 

Yet beyond the runway, the evening carries a deeper humanitarian mission. In partnership with the BC Cancer Foundation, the gala will help launch a $50 million fundraising campaign to support Canada’s first next-generation clinical scanner — a transformative advancement in cancer care and research.

International Fashion Gala

By merging artistic expression with philanthropic purpose, the International Fashion Gala demonstrates that true elegance extends far beyond aesthetics. It is found in compassion, community, and the power to uplift others. More than a celebration of beauty, the gala stands as a catalyst for change. A reminder that fashion can inspire not only admiration, but action.

On May 30, guests will gather at Christ Church Cathedral to celebrate courage, creativity, and the enduring belief that style with meaning can help reshape the world.

International Fashion Gala

Christ Church Cathedral

May 30, 2026

Tickets Eventbrite

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Spanning the golden age of air travel from the 1950s to the 1970s, the exhibition showcases iconic suits, skirts, caps, and go-go boots, while tracing the evolution of these fashions into today’s more refined, neoclassical styles.

Above: Marge Marques (left) and Zonia Arauzo (right) model Hughes Airwest flight attendant uniforms for a promotional photo shoot. Credit: The Museum of Flight Collection

Related story: Artistic legacy of Maison Schiaparelli at the V&A

The display highlights individual flight attendants through personal stories, photographs, and uniforms. Visitors learn about pioneers such as United Airlines’ first Black flight attendant, as well as one of Continental Airlines’ first male stewards, who recalled having to keep smiling in 1978 as passengers struggled to understand the idea of a man in the role.

It also explores how airlines turned uniforms into a branding tool. As flight attendants became the public face of commercial air travel, carriers enlisted celebrated designers from New York, Paris, Milan, and Hollywood to create memorable looks that made in-flight service feel distinctive and aspirational.

Many designers embraced the bold spirit of their era

Some uniforms were elegant and restrained; others fully embraced the bold spirit of their era. Designers including Jean Louis, Roxane of New York, Mario Armond Zamparelli, Valentino, Emilio Pucci, and Edith Head left their mark on everything from dresses to accessories, using innovative fabrics, mod silhouettes, and vibrant colours to help airlines stand apart.

The Runway to Runway exhibition presents 13 uniforms from eight airlines, most of them designer pieces from the 1960s and 1970s. Standout ensembles include Emilio Pucci’s mod pink Braniff International Airways design from 1971, complete with a coordinated dress, pants, and umbrella, and the bright yellow-and-blue Hughes Airwest uniform from the early 1970s, featuring a dramatic cape, a princess-cut dress, and knee-high yellow go-go boots. Also on display is United Airlines’ iconic 1968 uniform, designed by Jean Louis and known as “The Skimmer.”

Strict appearance standards for flight attendants

Accessories are given their due as well, with bags, purses, scarves, and headwear rounding out the display. These pieces showcase the work of designers such as Mario Armond Zamparelli for Hughes Airwest in the 1970s and Emilio Pucci’s boldly patterned accessories for Braniff International Airways from 1966 to 1971.

One of the most memorable items in the exhibition is the vintage poster Success Factors for ’63, which outlines the strict appearance standards for Trans World Airlines (TWA) flight attendants. These standards cover everything from the correct way to wear makeup and the proper hairstyle to skirt length, a firm, fitted girdle, and the use of black wrist-length gloves, both on and off the plane.

Runway to Runway is on display at the Seattle Museum of Flight until January 18, 2027.

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For visitors of the V&A, the exhibition outlines Maison Schiaparelli’s history, starting with its first fashion pieces and continuing to its current form under creative director Daniel Roseberry. 

Above photo: Ariana Grande’s 2025 Oscars ball gown on display at the V&A. Photo: David Parry/PA Media Assignments.

Related story: Bold Sunglasses for Spring 2026

The exhibition showcases recent research by art and fashion curators, highlighting Elsa Schiaparelli as a pioneering figure in fashion, art, and performance across Paris, London, and New York between the two wars. 

It highlights her entrepreneurial history and her celebrated yet rarely seen creations. The exhibition is the first to showcase the London branch of Schiaparelli, its independent clientele, and the founder’s involvement.

Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art comprises more than 400 objects, including 100 ensembles and 50 artworks, along with accessories, jewellery, paintings, photographs, furniture, perfumes, and archival material. 

Highlights on display include the 1938 Skeleton dress, the only known surviving example (part of the V&A’s permanent collection), the 1938 Tears Dress, and a hat resembling an upside-down shoe, all conceived in collaboration with artist Salvador Dalí. 

Artworks by Pablo Picasso, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray, and Eileen Agar are also on display, along with several of Schiaparelli’s designs for film and theatre. 

Daniel Roseberry’s spectacular creations—including looks worn by Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa—bring the exhibition to a dramatic close.

Schiaparelli’s couture house revolutionized style standards and redefined modern beauty. Today, from its original location at 21 Place Vendôme in Paris, creative director Daniel Roseberry guides the renowned Maison into a new era, producing a body of work that influences and inspires fashion culture worldwide.

Don’t miss the fabulous V&A’s Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art exhibition, running from March 28 to November 8, 2026! It’s a wonderful opportunity to visit London and experience fashion as art.

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The spring and summer collections for 2026 showcase a cheerful, optimistic vibe, highlighted by vibrant colours in clothing. Accessories, especially sunglasses, play an important role in expressing this trend, making them must-have items for those eager to showcase their personality.

Related story: Pantone colour of 2026: Cloud Dancer

Oversized and dramatic designs

Giant, dramatic sunglasses have made a strong comeback. Black spectacles with bold frames are among the most fashionable choices this season. Designers like Michael Kors have incorporated these striking accessories into their runways, highlighting their significance in contemporary style.

When it comes to 2026 sunglasses trends, bigger is better. This look, popularized by celebrities and dominating runways from Saint Laurent and Balmain to Zimmermann, offers a quick way to add flair to your outfit. Oversized shades are an essential accessory for anyone seeking to make a fashion statement.

Retro inspirations: Vintage silhouettes

Oversized 70s-inspired silhouettes are popular now, bringing to mind the glamour of jet-set travel and sunny coastlines. These vintage shapes pair well with flowing fabric beach cover-ups for women and relaxed tailoring for men, embracing the concept of quiet luxury.

The sharp cat-eye style is experiencing a revival in 2026, reimagined with cleaner lines and more refined angles. This fresh approach aims to project confidence and add structure to softer spring ensembles.

Rounded acetate frames pay homage to mid-century modern design, appealing to creatives. These intellectual and artistic shapes complement neutral colour palettes and soft textures, resulting in a grounded yet stylish look.

Tortoiseshell and muted neutral sunglasses remain popular, featuring warm browns, honey tones, and soft champagne hues. These classic colours add elegance and subtle sophistication to the wearer’s overall look.

Fashion and lifestyle connection

Bold sunglasses frames for Spring 2026 are closely linked to lifestyle. The return of vintage sunglasses is not just about fashion; it underscores themes of luxury travel, leisure, and carefully curated moments, highlighting the role of accessories in shaping personal style.

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Against the stunning backdrop of the Alps and the Dolomites in northern Italy, the opening ceremonies at the Milano San Siro Stadium will unite athletes, spectators, and dignitaries from around the world to honour diversity, sportsmanship, and the Olympic spirit. 

Related story: Pantone Colour of 2026: Cloud Dancer

Fashion on the world stage

With Italian design heritage and major luxury fashion brands supporting their national teams, the six Olympic Villages, which will host around 2,900 athletes across the region, will be the place to be seen. Olympic team uniforms now appear appropriate on international fashion runways as well as on the podium.

As the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics arrive in Europe’s snowy playground from February 6 to 22, the 116 events on the ice and on the slopes are becoming a major style showcase.

The Olympic team kits blend sporty and cultural styles, with opening-ceremony outfits reflecting national heritage. Many are designed by luxury fashion houses, including Ralph Lauren for Team USA, Emporio Armani for the Italian Team, and Ben Sherman for the British Team. 

Team Canada to take on the Games in performance and style

Watch for performance apparel from Lululemon, made for Team Canada and designed to excel on ice and at high altitudes, functional and stylish. 

Available for purchase at Lululemon, Team Canada jackets and accessories tell Canada’s story by drawing on the country’s landscapes and environment. They feature topographic map prints, bold maple leaf designs, and colours ranging from deep red to iceberg-inspired greens and blues.

Performance tailoring blends with modern silhouettes to create head-to-toe looks inspired by city style, using fabrics such as Merino Wool, Jacquard, and Translucent Glyde to elevate the Olympic & Paralympic uniform.

Lululemon’s Team Canada accessories are popular

The most popular Lululemon Team Canada items are accessories, especially scarves and toques, which are almost sold out.

Whether elaborate and symbolic or sleek and technical, each uniform is a symbol of national identity. For this year’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes, practicality is as important as appearance, if not more so.

Milano Cortina Opening Ceremonies

The opening ceremony features highlights including the parade of nations, artistic performances celebrating Italian heritage, and the much-anticipated lighting of the Olympic cauldron. 

The 2026 Milano Cortina Opening Ceremonies are scheduled to be broadcast live on CBC on Friday, February 6^th, at 10:30 AM PST. 

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Related story: EFWA Indonesia: Buya Subi Project

Like a blank canvas, Cloud Dancer symbolizes our yearning for a fresh start. Letting go of old, limiting thought patterns creates space for new ideas to grow. Cloud Dancer’s calming effect soothes the mind, encouraging real relaxation and focus. When the mind is at ease, it can gently drift, allowing creativity to blossom and paving the way for exciting innovations.

One of this spring’s fashion trends is colour blocking. Usually, we associate spring fashion with soft florals and soothing pastels.

On the Paris runways, Loewe, Dior and Fendi were awash in rainbow-bright yellows, reds and greens, with some colour mixing for drama. But I have always found a woman in white attractive for breaking up any colour spectrum, regardless of the season. 

Since the industrial revolution, white serves as a conscious statement of luxury, whether worn as a classic button-down, T-shirt, or jeans, or in activewear and suiting.

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Rooted in the principles of sustainable fashion, the EFWA promotes slow, local production, recycling, and reuse. These values are deeply embedded in traditional craftmaking, honouring the long-standing practices of Indonesian artisans.

Above Designer: Heaven Tungga, Model: Charlize Parkinsonn, Photography: Alexis Rose Photography

Related story: EFWA Florence Edition

Goals and Objectives

“The EFWA Buya Subi Project aims to provide promotion, education, investment, and cultural awareness to rejuvenate traditional weaving in Donggala artisanal textiles, safeguarding their future,” said EFWA Founder and Director, Dr. Zuhal Kuvan-Mills. “The proliferation of cheap, fast-fashion textiles, such as polyester, poses environmental risks through toxic production and undermines the value of handmade textiles. The slow production rates of traditional crafts struggle to compete with fast fashion. Resulting in skilled artisans unable to pass down their expertise due to limited income opportunities from handmade fabrics.”

Significance of Donggala textiles

In Central Sulawesi, traditional textiles hold immense economic and cultural significance, fostering identity and community. Yet, like many local textile traditions, they face the risk of losing ancient knowledge and craftsmanship.

Traditional Donggala textiles are a vital part of Indonesian cultural traditions, closely tied to local customs, stories, and identities. To ensure the survival of these centuries-old crafts, it is crucial to establish supportive structures that protect artisans and highlight the relevance of their work in today’s society.

UNESCO Recognition and Sustainable Development

UNESCO has recognised traditional craftsmanship as an intangible heritage that requires protection and promotion under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Opportunities for sustainable livelihoods exist in cultural tourism, and the traditional craft sector plays a key role in achieving SDGs related to women’s empowerment, reducing inequality, increasing access to employment, and strengthening sustainable production and consumption.

EFWA Global Engagement

EFWA is a proud member of the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network, which champions transparent, inclusive, and transformative engagement among global stakeholders. The Network fosters cross-industry collaboration and partnerships with the United Nations system, accelerates innovation and knowledge exchange, and promotes members’ advancement of sustainable development through impactful solutions.

The EFWA Indonesia Buya Subi Project is set to showcase Donggala’s fabrics on global runways in 2026. More details will be provided as they become available.

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Related Story: EFWA Florence Edition

If you have attended a European opera, you would know that opera costumes are very extravagant and well-made. Costume designers have a significant influence on films and theatre, and we often do not give them the recognition they deserve in the arts and fashion.

Elena Razlog is also a talented mezzo-soprano who has performed with Vancouver Opera. She has also performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the UBC Symphony Orchestra. Her list of accomplishments includes a solo program as part of the New York Lyric Opera Gala, which takes place annually at Carnegie Hall and on Broadway theatre, NY. She has also toured across the United States, Europe, and Japan.

 The Fashion in Flight fashion show returns to the Museum of Flight in Seattle on November 7, 2026.

Photos: Simon Lau

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Above photo: Atelier Biologico Firenze, Italy

Related story: African Fashion Week Vancouver: Joyful and colourful

The fashion exhibition and runway shows showcase the work of various artists and designers, including Atelier Biologico Firenze from Italy, Green Embassy from Australia, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, Sylvia Calvo from Spain, Zuzana Hrubos from the Czech Republic, Gia Dianna from the USA, and others.

There was an exceptional display of talented eco-designers from Australia, including Amee Dennis, Beads N Pods, Emergent Art Glass, Emily Craig studio, Fabric of Nature, Funk N Soul 97, Keli Studios, Leah Kelly, Ashley Majoni, Mon, Regis, and others, who were prominently showcased in both evening runway shows. 

EFWA Florence edition featured artist talks with several speakers throughout the two-day gathering at Spedale del Bigallo, a heritage hostel located on a hillside with views of Florence. It is believed that the original building on the property was a hospital constructed in the 13th century for the needy, the ill, and pilgrims.

In the early 15th century, civic records indicate the addition of a church attached to a main building that featured rooms on two floors. Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the church stood a residence for priests and a home for the farmer.

Today, it is known as the Bigallo hostel, offering dormitories and rooms with a total of 52 beds, located within one of the region’s most historic accommodations. It provides guests with a connection to Florence’s history, a stunning garden, and a panoramic terrace for dining, all complemented by an unforgettable view of the city.  

Florence is recognized as the birthplace of Italian fashion, especially during the 1950s. While Milan later emerged as the fashion capital, Florence continues to hold a significant place in the narrative of Italian style, particularly for its contributions to bringing the Italian fashion industry to the forefront of the global scene. Therefore, it is only fitting that EFWA selected Florence to host their opening global fashion show.

EFWA’s next conceptual fashion art show global tour stop is set for Vancouver, Canada, in September. Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

Photos: Simon Lau

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Above photo: SpiralAloe

Related story: Heritage in Motion: African fashion and art show

This year’s runway shows dazzle with joyful, colourful designs that embody the bold spirit of African fashion. With bright colours and eye-catching looks, the showcase features six talented fashion designers setting major trends while promoting sustainability through environmentally friendly fabrics.

Founded by Yao Zeus Agoeyovo in 2018, this remarkable event has grown into a platform that supports local economies and empowers entrepreneurs within the African community. Attendees at the BMO Theatre’s Newmont stage were treated to an unforgettable evening filled with art, music, dance performances. Plus, a bustling marketplace that brought together the essence of life itself.

The impact of African Fashion Week Vancouver goes beyond mere aesthetics; it nurtures a global community united by a shared appreciation for rich textiles and motifs. As audiences witness these bold statements on the runway, they are encouraged to embrace diversity while supporting sustainable fashion practices.

Here are the designers celebrating African Fashion Week’s extraordinary fusion of style and substance—be part of something truly transformative!

Photos: Simon Lau

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