Last Wednesday, November 7, 2012, we attended ATELIER, a fashion show presented by students from The Art Institute of Vancouver. Thanks to Brenda Wong, Academic Director of Fashion Programs, we had front row Media seats, the best for photographing the spirited, and well executed designs, great hair and accessories, impossibly high heeled shoes and especially the red soles that transformed a black and white space into a colorful, animated one. The music was well chosen and involved the audience in snapping their fingers and tapping their toes. I loved the post cards that were pictures of the outfits and the designers' names. I will definitely be using these to mail to fashionista friends. I've often thought that there are many missed opportunities to design cards, posters and other products as souvenirs for fashion events. But, we don't want a lot of wasted paper, we want sharable memories of dramatic art that reflects who we are and who we can be. Fashion is always action and reaction and this collection looked at the past, for example, the 60's, with Twiggy on a slim, black and white patterned dress by Delayne Dixon. The reaction is that the pattern is more subtle and less blinding that it might have been then and the length was fashionably above the ankles, instead of dragging on the ground and the back was surprisingly open but in a new and creative way.
The Ravishing Rebellion by Kirbi Bethune is a hot pants revisit but a much more flattering fit, metallic tone and a short black jacket, definitely a modern update. As always, there were nods to earlier times, too. The yellow bow tie and suit with yellow detailing on the collar and front edges of the jacket, by Aldrin Delumen, was a standout. This is another good example of reaction: that standard black suit is boring, how about a touch of color and try a new accessory. I liked the ethnicity reflected in the beautiful dress and leggings by Amani Deol and the brilliant color and flowers in the 'wearable art' by Francesca Davies. Lots of Hollywood red carpet by Darya KHazei, Yan Yan, and Trina Marie Cairns (high collared and trained gold dress) and detailed froth and feathers by Amber Jackson and Patrick Zhan. Awards were given for Most Marketable: Yan Yan (stunning black, silver and grey evening dress, Best Execution to Nancy Harder (oliverjordan designs, for her delicate and intricately designed jacket and dress with a gorgeous flowered overlay) and Most Outstanding Collection to Laura Jackson. (Black fitted skirt with fitted, skirted jacket with unique shoulder details) This was a dazzling display of talent and I would love to see a showplace in Vancouver where we could see ongoing fashion trends in the making and ready for the market. Kudos, all!
Photo by Connie Tsoukalas
Photo by Connie Tsoukalas
Photo by Connie Tsoukalas
Photo by Connie Tsoukalas
Photo by Connie Tsoukalas
Photo by Connie Tsoukalas
Photo by Connie Tsoukalas
Photo by Connie Tsoukalas
1 comment:
Thank you for the shout out.
Aldrin Delumen
Designer + Creative Thinker
Vancouver, BC
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