Reconstructed Identities Eloquently Expressed Through Grad Fashion Collections at Lasalle College Vancouver - December 19, 2024

KEIYA, EMMA, DANA, JUDY, RAMI, RENDA: Identity, Vision, Style Thanks Lasalle College Vancouver (Fashion) for the detailed brochure about these fantastic Grads! Thanks for the invitation to a wonderful display of Design talent. Thanks for the likes and follows for my reels and posts. Our Fashion future is here!

Keiya

Keiya Nagai is Japanese Canadian and his collection: SENTIMENTAL RECORDS, reflects his passion for sharing his culture and presenting it in new ways for his generation here and eventually, around the world. I have been to Tokyo Fashion Week and hope he can show there, as well as at Vancouver Fashion Week. I love how Keiya, who is committed to sustainability and change, has retained the strong visuals of Japanese design but has presented such creative interpretations of the obi and kimono. The obi becomes a waist band for a pink tulle skirt and the kimono becomes a jacket, a capelet and a longer cape, with dramatic scenes on the back.  Culture and Craftsmanship beautifully sustained!

Emma

Emma Duggan presented her collection: A GOSSAMER DREAM, that brought the stark setting to life, with bright white, forest colours, colourful ribbons and embroideries and pink wings, all of which show the impressive range of her craft and design skills, but also the story of  what women might dream of and what they choose to wear every day. Designer, Model, Goddess, all with choice, strength and confidence. I love the wings and the short, white fitted dress, for its youth and fitted design. Also love Emma's corsetted dress and hope she visits Melanie Talkington of Lace Embrace Atelier Corset Museum.

Dana

Dana Paola is from Salamanca, Mexico and has designed a menswear collection: TAILORED DISRUPTION. I met her family, before the show and am hoping they will model for her at Vancouver Fashion Week, next year. Family and Culture, definitely shape the Designer! Sustainability, exquisite tailoring and creative new looks, especially the jackets, characterize Dana's work. 

Judy

Judy Taylor is a mater crafter and uses a wide array of techniques in her women's wear collection. INTRICATE NATURE shows a soft colour palette of sustainable linen in so many variations beyond the traditional basics. I loved that she wore her own sweater. Also impressed that this is another career for this multitalented Designer from the Prairies. flax fields and big skies. I would wear all of these styles and they would fit!  Looking forward to seeing some petites at Vancouver Fashion Week!

Rami

Rami Chaman is from Pakistan and incorporates her cultural background in her designs. I love her colour choices and how the sari has taken on new forms. The wide, off the shoulder sleeves give this purple top a unique look. The ruffled, extended sleeve becomes a cape in the cream coloured outfit. The shimmering silk, fitted dress is dynamic and moves with the body like a second skin. So well constructed! I think it would be fascinating for Rami to meet Parvesh Jai's Bridal, Designers who have shown at Vancouver Fashion Week and all over the world. Sure hope to see more of Designer Rami Chaman next year, on the runway, too!

Renda Pei

Rend, is from Mongolia and his collection: THE SOFT REVOLUTION, reflects his love of technology and clothing for exploring new worlds, perhaps in Space and perhaps right here. His is a menswear collection, featuring a bright blue double-breasted jacket and pants, paired with vibrant red shoes. Very dramatic and powerful. I like the idea that clothing can convey messages, maps, signals and more. This collection sets he stage for music, maybe a full symphony orchestra with lots of drums. It is truly dressing for "the next frontier". Looking forward to seeing more at Vancouver Fashion Week, next year!

Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week Nov. 20 23, 2024 Day 3: Indigenous Futures

I was fortunate to be able to attend three out of the four wonderful shows, this time at Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week. I have written blogs and created reels for most Designers, for Nov. 20, 21 and 22. You can find more details at VIFW.ca (Designers) and find complete details on their websites and social media. Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week's Media Team have been hard at work day and night, spotlighting Designers, Artists, Performers and Market Highlights (vifw.ca/marketplace). You can find so much online but to meet the Artists see their designs on the runway and those Models (Supernaturals Modeling) and Guest Models (Friends and Family, of course) you really must get to the Queen Elizabeth Theatre as many nights as possible. VIFW has provided a fantastic showcase of Indigenous Creativity, once a year, usually in Nov./Dec, since 2017. Indigenous Futures are shining brightly everywhere, but are especially so at VIFW and at Fashion Events all over the world. Here are my favourite photos, miraculously snapped amidst enthusiastic audiences, who also had cameras and phones, and after most performances, gave standing ovations. Have a look at these and the reels on my Instagram and you will see that Indigenous Culture, Community, Art, Music, and Performance continue to flourish. Indigenous F,utures assured!! Designers: Girls Who Leap/ Kevin Gosnell  Two Smudge/ Matthew Provost, / Angela Howe,  HstryMkrs / KC Hall & Charles Brown, Savage Kids/Darren "Young D" Metz and Quintin "Yung Trybez, Alicia's Designs, Indi City, Angel Aubichon (not covered but lots at vifw.ca and on her Instagram.