Eco Fashion Week Vancouver - April 10, 2012

 Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

This was my first Eco Fashion Week, and I'll be attending more after enjoying the opening gala, fashion shows and location downtown at Robson Square.  This is a much publicized event, with television interviews and lots of press in the newspapers and magazines. The two hour cocktail, meet and greet and photo ops time really helped set the tone of 'Welcome to the Excitement!'  The gorgeous show room provided ample display space to preview clothing and accessories and to interview the designers. The first runway shows were provided by Value Village and were styled by Myriam Laroche and Sarah La Greca and Deanna Palkowski.  Vintage silks and patterns, tailored blouses, long and short skirts, men's ties as belts, funky heels and flats, where else can you find such individual and well made designs for such reasonable prices? This is truly recycling at its best.  The V.V. "Donate and make a difference" pamphlet is very informative and the free coupons will be put to good use.
 Eason Wang, Fashion Design student at Blanche McDonald, presented his cool collection: Unlokk, and shows by F As in Frank and Bitru Fariel were dynamic and very different from clothing and accessories at both Vancouver and Toronto Fashion Weeks. And this was only night one of three fantastic evenings of style and glam! (See Eco Fashion Week Website for photos and bios)

A warm welcome came from Jared Nome,  a Fashion Marketing student volunteer from the Art Institute of Vancouver.  Students from here, as well as other programs, represented their schools well! Lovely smiles, efficient registration and enthusiastic responses to all questions! On the way to the showroom, I saw a stunning necklace by Liselott Montesanno of  Basquiat, Yaletown.  Once inside the showroom, the following caught my eye: A whole display case of beautiful leather and design by Lincoln Heller leather@fiveleft.ca. Another extensive collection featured clothing and designs by Bitru Fariel. Her jewelry, one of a kind creations, are made of natural and found materials, coins, wire, nails, and precious and semi precious stones.  From Poland, this muti-talented designer is also a scholar of Russian Literature.  Nahui Ollin of Ollin Arm Candy gave us a gift bag that contained a key chain and a memory key as a momento of her work.  She makes unique accessories that are woven, folded and sewn from gum/candy wrappers, labels, magazines and more.  This was only one night of Eco Fashion Week!  You should go!

 Jenica, a sister blogger, who writes for 

Vancity Buzz and also studies and writes at UBC.  

Eco Fashion Week, the 3 R's plus infinitely more! 

 Colin Hargreaves, the DJ who provided 

"just the right mix" to start the evening off

 Vancouver shoe 

fashion seen both on and off of the runway

  Dress by Kate S. Mensah who makes original and 

chic office, coctail and evening wear for women

 Nahui Ollin of Ollin Arm Candy

  Gift bag from Nahui Ollin of Ollin Arm Candy

 

Bitru Fariel

 

Necklace by Liselott Montesanno 

of  Basquiat, Yaletown

Felix Tavira, Stylist and Fashion Writer