Vancouver Community College Students Illustrate the Ivan Sayers (SMOC) Little Black Dress Exhibit Hudson's Bay VancouverDowntown Mar 1-25, 2024

A collaboration between Ivan Sayers SMOC and Adam McCormack, Special Events Coordinator, Hudson's Bay Vancouver Downtown, brought a special exhibition of Little Black Dresses from Ivan Sayers' vast collection of vintage clothing 1750-1970. 12 classic dresses were beautifully displayed on the second floor, along with a backdrop of photos of Hudsons Bay, over the years and future development plans. I saw the exhibit several times and found many interested customers wanting to chat about their own dresses, their favourite designers and stories about HBC history here, and in other locations. Very little mention of catalogues, as most people had great memories of shopping with friends and family, not only in their own communities, but in those they visited. This is the first of more collaborations to come! I am very interested in Illustration and encouraged Fashion Students from VCC Fashion to see the 12 dresses: Dior Paris Atelier, 1952, Elizabeth Arden, 1953, Ben Reig, 1954, Carosa, 1952, House of Worth, 1956, Dior London Atelier, 1958, Dior New Zealand Atelier 1958, Galinos, 1960, Galinos 1960, Dior Paris Atellier, 1963, Oscar De La Renta, 1968, and Dior London Atelier, 1964.

Although all of the dresses are so detailed in their construction and are 'stand alones', I did ask that Students add a background and something of themselves, for example, a mirror reflection, a hand sketching, accessories they would add, just a bit extra. Some chose to show the depth and complexity of the colour, black, and others the fine tailoring, but some added the beautiful HBC building, their school, VCC and more. Adam welcomed them and spoke about the collaboration and HBC history of fashion events, and I talked about my history with HBC and VCC, why I think Illustration is so important and how Fashion Students are our future. Tried not to take too much time as the Students already had their work spaces chosen and their sketching materials at the ready. In the middle of a very busy school schedule, they demonstrated "The VCC Effect" by having their illustrations quickly completed and mounted in a VCC Illustration Exhibit, to accompany the Little Black Dress Exhibit, just in time for Ivan Sayers' fabulous talk, March 9, about each dress and its Vancouver connection. For example, one of the Oscar De La Renta dresses is signed by him as Ivan arranged that when he went to Oscar's Perfume Event, at Hudsons Bay downtown. Ivan's stories are never to be missed. Not only that, but Melanie Talkington of Lace Embrace Atelier, arranged a black dress flash mob and many SMOC members and attendees joined in. The Little Black Dress Exhibit truly came to life. Fantastic for Fashion Students to make a wonderful contribution and to see how their Illustrations make them part of the Fashion Community and Fashion Story.What I can tell you, for sure, is that I draw stick people. All of us are so inspired by those who not only draw but also Design. Please read more about Ivan Sayers and The Little Black Dresses, in the March SMOC Newsletter. It is free to subscribe. Scroll to bottom of news page and enter your email for "news and updates". Also know that there are monthly events by Ivan Sayers, Fashion Historian, and SMOC. There is a huge Fashion History Community, in Vancouver, and many share their collections and expertise at SMOC events at Hycroft and around metro Vancouver. Thanks so much to Adam McCormack, Ivan Sayers, VCC Fashion, Instructors Allison Drake and Lisa Gellert and Program Coordinator, Sarah Murray, for connecting me with VCC Students, who are so enthusiastic, whatever the project. I made a reel on my instagram, but here are the photos.** A list of Student Illustrators' names has been requested. They are at the beginning of their studies and careers. No doubt we will see them at @vancouverfashionweek, in the audience, as volunteers, as Illustrators and eventually on the runway, as Designers. Fashion Futures, here, now! Check out the HBC Instagram at Hudson's Bay Vancouver Downtown.