CANADA - Vancouver Fashion Week is set to kick off off with a sparkling Opening Gala on Monday, September 15th at the Queen Elizabeth Plaza. The Gala, hosted by Vancouver’s own Mary Zilba will be co presenting with MC Anthony Lewis. Additional guest speakers will include Vancouver’s public speaker, traveler and activist, Patti De Sante.

The doors will open to guests, media and designers at 6:30 pm. Introductions, speeches and designer showcases will start at 8pm and go on into the early evening. Shuttles will be provided to transport guests to the official after party at The Donnelly Group’s Republic nightclub.

The gala will not only address the start of Vancouver Fashion Week, but welcomes and celebrates the number of international designers, buyers, media and guests to the city. Vogue UK, Elle Italy, Harper's Bazaar Argentina, WGSN are just some of the international media presence that will provide a glimpse of the arts, culture and distinctive fashion status within Vancouver’s creative community. In addition to VFW’s global media coverage, Vancouver will be welcoming over 70 international designers established and emerging, representing over 25 countries worldwide.

VFW founder Jamal Abdourahman is thrilled to be leveraging the biggest fashion week Vancouver has ever seen. The Opening Gala will just be a taste of the amazing week of emerging talent, innovative fashion and international media attention to follow.

Live streaming platforms, in conjunction with Van City Pulse, will host interviews with designers throughout the 7-day event. Backstage access and designer clips can be attained by contacting the media team, all contact detailed below. Hashtag campaigns (mainly #vanfashionweek) will unite all social activity that will appear on the screens in the intervals between shows where the guests will be able to see their images and activity on the LED runway screen.

More information: vanfashionweek.com

The Opening Night Gala will be cohosted by Mary Zilba (seen here in her line LotusActiva) who was one of the main cast members of The Real Housewives of Vancouver