Photos: Simon Lau

Related story: Jumper Zhang haute couture boutique opens in Vancouver

In keeping with the brand’s commitment to sustainability, these looks were crafted from eco-friendly materials and produced using ethical manufacturing practices. The brand is dedicated to minimizing its environmental footprint while creating fashion that enriches the lives of its clientele.

Viewing Jean De La Croix’s collection at the front row of VFW is undeniably visually stunning and culturally meaningful for women who are world travellers. Each garment is meticulously designed to inspire creativity, ignite passion, and evoke a sense of wonder in those who wear it, regardless of the occasion or location.

The launch of this collection heralds a new chapter, one that is designed to spread joy through its exquisite and thoughtful details. The bold geometry and vibrant colour palette are a testament to blending artistic expression with everyday wearability. With luxurious fabrics and intricate details, a fusion that is sure to resonate with those who appreciate the artistry of luxury fashion.

I am excited to see this level of fashion talent in Vancouver, a collection that celebrates joy and artistry, inspiring all who experience it.

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After judiciously attending the fashion runway shows during the weekend and reviewing their collections, I have meticulously handpicked my all-time favourite top fashion looks. 

Above image: Jean Delacroix

Related story: Substainable fashion festival hosts the longest catwalk

These selections were made after considering many factors, including design, fabric quality, and uniqueness. My top picks will provide unparalleled inspiration and insight into the latest fashion trends. I am thrilled to share designer profiles in the days ahead, sparking anticipation for the unique insights and inspirations they will bring.

VFW is a rapidly growing event that seeks to showcase diverse, award-winning designers from over 25 fashion capitals worldwide. The event is known for its inclusivity and innovative approach to fashion. 

It celebrates the transformative power of fashion by showcasing a variety of styles ranging from avant-garde couture to streetwear trends, infused with various international influences. The event strives to unite cultures, inspire change, and embrace diversity in all its forms by giving the spotlight to models of every size, age, race, and gender identity to grace its runway.

Jamal Abdourahman is the founder and visionary producer of Vancouver Fashion Week. He is also responsible for extending the event to its sister company, Global Fashion Collective, which features in New York Fashion Week, Tokyo, London, Milan, and Paris. Jamal believes fashion is a universal language that can unite cultures and transcend boundaries. He is committed to nurturing creative expression and aims to position Vancouver as a worldwide premier destination for fashion enthusiasts.

This event is a shining example of the universal appeal of fashion and is not to be missed, especially for locals. VFW is igniting the fashion scene by bringing together a diverse range of creatives, fashion enthusiasts, and an eclectic mix of designers in Vancouver.

Come and join me as we walk through the top fashion looks from VFW AW24, where creativity has no limits and innovation reigns supreme. I invite you to experience the magic for yourself because, in the realm of style, the entire world is our runway. 

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Set to blaring rock music, razor-sharp cuts and asymmetrical hems evoked a purely urban sensibility, as if the models were walking out to the runway from the city streets.

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Strikingly draped dresses and skirts were paired with motorcycle jackets, wearable but still uber chic.

Dryden Sereda’s closing look was a glittery halter gown with the highest slit, truly a fitting collection for a pop star or rockstar’s girlfriend.

Photos: Simon Lau

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The inaugural evening of Vancouver Fashion Week Spring/Summer ’23 began with an Indigenous welcome and a proclamation from the City of Vancouver. Members of the local Vancouver fashion industry were recognized for their work, including the Nancy Mak Scholarship Award Recipients Dryden Serada and Atelier Coin. Followed by encouraging speeches from Vancouver City Councillors Lisa Dominato and Michael Wiebe.

Here are the top ten looks from Vancouver Fashion Week SS23.

Photos: Simon Lau

Related story: Grunge gets a make over at Le Lesel fashion

Dryden Sereda

Maison de Couture

Ay Leium

Reihani

Bluetamburin

Jasive

Atelier Ariellr

Alex Yu

Le Lesel

Chalanse

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At VFW SS23, the brand seamlessly fused two distinct, and seemingly irreconcilable, fashion styles: romance with grunge. 

For those who don’t remember, grunge was an alternative fashion style from the mid-90’s which rose to prominence with Pacific Northwest rock bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. The look was characterized by a dishevelled, ‘thrift shop’ aesthetic that pushed back at style and cultural norms. Grunge was careless, nonchalant, and effortlessly cool.

Le Lesel’s fashion collection offered a beautifully crafted bright orange blouse with pleated sleeves paired with white shorts. On another model, the designer added sheer fabric to a purple top and simple shorts for a touch of sexiness. Her use of bright neon colours also mirrors the colour trends of the late 90’s.

At the age of 11, Lesel began sketching her designs and later graduated from York University with a degree in Visual Arts with a focus on painting and photography.

Her inspiration comes from nature, culture, space exploration, documentaries, reading books, and her Christian faith. Her inquisitive mind is evident in her creative fashion designs for both women and men.

Her ambitions are lofty, and her talent is obvious. Lesel offers custom couture pieces from her Ontario atelier shop and her dream is to design a red carpet look for the Met Gala.

With so much creativity to inspire her fashion designs, I’m sure we are going to see a lot more of Le Lesel fashion in the seasons ahead.

Related story: Spring luxury fashion trends

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After what felt like an eternity of cabin fever, the European luxury fashion designers have gone bigger than life with their new spring collections, shaking off the casual trend of hoody’s and sweat pants with sneakers.

VFW’s three-day event gave me a sense of the return of sexy as I viewed colourful and playful mini-skirts, sensual evening wear with thigh high leg slits reminiscent of the 70’s, an abundance of glitter and sparkles for your next party, and sheer like lady dresses.

Sexy is back and the fashion designers at VFW SS22 want you to the celebrate a new spring fashion season. The following are my top looks from the front row of VFW SS22.

Related story: Vancouver Fashion Week SS22 post-virus comeback

Mivinna

Crystal Dress

Berenice Jimenez

Gwen Hine

Elegant Curiosities

Julianne Daisy

Ay Lelum

Jordan Kendrick

Maison du Mardi

Alicia Perillo

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“Sexy is back” was last month’s Paris Fashion Week SS22 main take away, including micro tops by Miu Miu, sensual draping by Loewe to reimagining the Christian Dior short skirt and blazer with a touch of preppy and punky look.

Related story: Luxury fall coats are long, elegant and cozy

The big question within the fashion industry is will women lose the stay at home causal sweat pants and sneakers for a more party girl vibe next year?

Returning to VFW SS22 are local favourites including Alex S. Yu to new designer talent Psy Lau offering up Hong Kong street style to Crystal Dress from Korea.

Stay tune for more Vancouver Fashion Week SS22 coverage as we explore the luxury fashion trends for the post-virus comeback season.

Above Photo: Claire Elizabeth at Vancouver Fashion Week SS20 Gala. | Simon Lau

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Today, Chen is busy designing custom wedding and special occasion dresses, inspired by all the beautiful things around us, from her Gastown location. 

Above photo: Four custom bridal designs by Theresa Chen. | Fortune Hill Photography

Her interest in fashion was sparked in London, UK while working in retail as a young student She enrolled in Lasalle College, Montreal and in 2010,she was one of 25 finalists for the Telio design competition for fashion students from across Canada. She hasn’t looked back since.

Success in the fashion industry requires a lot of talent and, perhaps even more importantly, a good deal of perseverance. Theresa Chen sees the beauty in each of her clients and wants to create custom dresses that allow them to discover their own beauty.

For the past ten years, Chen has been driven by her passion to design beautiful, chic wedding and party dresses for women of all ages. She attracts the majority of her clients through personal referrals and she wouldn’t want it any other way. Her quality handcrafted designs cannot be rushed.

The spirit of old Paris’ elegant custom dressmakers is alive and well. You will find it in the heart of fashion designer Theresa Chen.

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I’m not suggesting that luxury runway shows will cease entirely. Fashion shows are still critical for brands to showcase their fashion storytelling live to customers and media. The digital world will never replace live performances, may it be fashion, theatre or sports.

Nonetheless, the COVID-19 pandemic effectively cancelled the haute fashion calendar this spring. Production halted, fashion shows were aborted and boutiques were closed. This pause reportedly resulted in a letter, instigated by Dries Van Noten, calling on the industry to tear up the traditional fashion week calendar to promote a more sustainable schedule in order to protect creativity and ensure profitability.

Above photo: Evaro Italia at Vancouver Fashion Week Spring Summer 2020. | Photo: Simon Lau

Gucci’s creative director Alessandro Michele recently announced that the storied house will cut its number of annual fashion shows from five – cruise, spring – summer, capsule, pre-fall, fall-winter – to two. Michele’s goal is to reduce waste by offering seasonless clothing as he believes the garments he produces for Gucci should have a longer life than just a few months.

The designers calling for a more sustainable fashion paradigm are at the forefront of a movement. You can expect future fashion shows to combine men’s and women’s collections and to include items for both warm and cold climates with layer pieces for seasons in between. In short, fewer shows and less product.

Recently, designer capsule collections have all been “show now, buy now” and that too will be part of the new formula going forward.

The tradition of showcasing designer collections six months before each corresponding season has allowed fast fashion to steal profits – and designs – from designers which resulted in mass discounting, devaluing their brands. With “show now, buy now”, fast fashion retailers, such as Zara, can still replicate designer clothes in three weeks but the six-month sales advantage that they had in the past will be eliminated. 

While it seems European luxury fashion brands are committed to change, it remains to be seen if consumers will choose to pay higher designer prices rather than the cheaper fast fashion options. However, as I have detailed in the past, consumers too are looking to more sustainable options for their wardrobes.

COVID-19 has allowed European luxury designers to rethink fashion week shows making a change for sustainability. But, if we want to make a real difference over the long term, consumers will need to embrace quality over quantity. 

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Each year our selection becomes more challenging, which is good. Here are our top ten looks from Vancouver Fashion Week 2020.

EVARO Italia

Tea Zubovic

Claire Elisabeth

Israella Kobla

Venturini Couture

Shay Oliver

Ellen Wise Couture

Gundula Couture

Nauni J

Riley Phillip

Photos: Simon Lau

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