thebahamasweekly.com - Vancouver Fashion Week sees exponential growth in 13th year

From:TheBahamasWeekly.com

Focus on Fashion
Vancouver Fashion Week sees exponential growth in 13th year
By Robbin Whachell, Editor, The Bahamas Weekly
Mar 19, 2014 - 2:48:01 PM

Vancouver Fashion Week opens its Fall / Winter edition to capacity crowds. The Prime Minister's rep advised those present that VFW is now the largest fashion week in Canada. (Photo: Peter Jensen/VFW)

Vancouver Fashion Week opened its Fall/Winter edition with an opening gala last night at the Chinese Cultural Center and runs with nightly shows until March 24th. The center was filled to capacity with patrons said to be waiting to get in right up until the last set of heels left the runway during the designer sneak peek segment.

The event was official opened by Vancouver City councilor Adrianne Carr who read a proclamation, and a rep from the Canadian government, Andrew Saxton, M.P. also spoke, stating that "Vancouver Fashion Week is now the largest fashion week in Canada (yes even bigger than Toronto) and it is the second largest in North America". I am still verifying these statistics but with over 60 designers this year, and to see last night's crowd, it may very well be true. Now in its 13th year, they have certainly progressed with such sponsors as Pantene, Covergirl and Olay coming on board this year, along with the returning Niche Magazine.

A few pieces from opening night. Designer Jose Zafra from Peru; black and white suit by Eriko by David Alfonso of Colombia; and Sirette from the U.K. (Photos: Garry Kettleson)

The gala event included performances by Les Noces Gitanes who put on a rousing Latin musical performance culminating with their flamenco-style dancer coming off the stage to perform down the runway. Selections from the grand piano were performed by Clare Young & Scott Meek, and Alina Kozlovskaja.

The bi-annual event is attended by over 20,000 guests, and has designers invited from more than 30 countries around the world. Vancouver Fashion Week partners with the Make A Wish Foundation and last evening one lucky young recipient named Alicia was strutting her stuff in a new gown while sitting front row. VFW also supports the growth and development of LaSalle College, Vancouver's fashion school.

The full fashion lineup for VFW Fall/Winter 2014 Collections include: Pierre Renaux (Paris), Gabriel Lage (Argentina), Green Embassy (Australia), Pitour (Austria), Susana Bettencourt (Portugal), Yuhsi Takahashi (Japan), mayamay (Slovakia), Martins Paulo (Brazil), Takaokami (Denmark), Evan Clayton (Vancouver), Nina Tan (Vancouver), Noe Bernacelli (Peru), Hong Kiyoung (Korea), Firan & Rose (UK), Ophelia Song (China), Birgit Badke (Kelowna), Lisa Loveday (Thunder Bay), Erikó (Colombia), Fever (UK), Angel Eye (UK), Soojin Lee (Korea), Sonya Jang (Ottawa), Jesper Annerstedt (Sweden), Rachel Liu (China), Yicheng Chen (China), Sophie Karen (USA), Shravan Kumar (India), Evolét (Peru), JFG Designs (Vancouver), Jin and Jacqueline (Vancouver), Shelley Klassen for Blushing Boutique (Vancouver), Ipek Tohumcu (Turkey), Kym Couture Kollection (USA), José Zafra (Peru), Nadia + Zehra (UK), Gardé del Avante (Toronto), Grandi’s Atelier (Vancouver), Calotype (USA), Wellgroomed Designs Inc. (Canada), Mario Young (UK), Connally McDougall (Victoria), NotEqual (Brazil), Papillon (Vancouver) and Make-up is supplied by COVERGIRL, Pantene and Olay.

For the full schedule of the fashion week, visit their website.

All runway shows will be livestreamed so watch if you are unable to attend.

Part of the amazing team that runs Vancouver Fashion Week. Actress and model Theres Amee hosts the runway shows, and Tito Chipman, VFW Business Development Director, who is Canadian-Bahamian. (Photo: Garry Kettleson)

Vancouver is an international mecca, and cultural melting pot. Seen here is Indian designer Dave Singh (center) of Well Groomed Designs Inc. of Vancouver, with models and what seems to be Sikh military officers. (Photo: Garry Kettleson)

Fashionistas galore! Stylist Dominique Hanke of Hive Mind Millinery, Maria Kritikos, Sue Randhawa of The Optical Boutique, TV personality Fiona Forbes of Urban Rush, and Karen Khunkhun. (Photo: Garry Kettleson)