Merely Me by Madera E. Rogers, ECO Fashion Week - Spring 2013

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen)

Booklyn designer, Madera, creates her clothing line Merely Me from scrap natural fibers.  Her packaging and mailing boxes are all of recycled materials, too.  Jewelry and clothing soft whites and beach colors.  Much is hand sewn, in fact, she was sewing all the time while she chatted with customers.  Stunning collection for the seawall in Vancouver, so hurry up sun and summer. Visit the Vancouver Eco Fashion Week website for more information.  Fantastic shows so far this year!

Photo by Peter Jensen 

 Photo by Peter Jensen 

Photo by Peter Jensen 

Gorgeous photos by Lynn

Sisterhood Swagger from My Sister's Closet - Spring 2013 - Eco Fashion Week Vancouver

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen) Photos by Lynn

My Sister's Closet is a special store at 1092 Seymour, Vancouver, that raises funds to support programs and services for battered women and their families.  It is a great place to come to shop for donated new and new to you clothing, accessories, cards and jewelry and much more.  T-shirts, ribbons, and posters, all around the store, further support the stop the violence against women message.  The warmest greetings are always accompanied with the question: Do you know about our programs and services?  There is pride, strength and commitment from all who work here.  People have all sorts of talents and skills: there are artisans, stylists, bloggers, photographers, window dressers/display experts, vintage fashionistas and more.  This is a meeting place, a place to find friendly conversation, to find free children's clothes, to locate designer labels, that just right outfit for tonight, and to learn from those who know how to organize, outfit, plan the music and put on the very best runway show on their first try.  Yes, this is My Sister's Closet's first stellar appearance at ECO Fashion Week and I know they'll be back for many more.



The runway show began with a stunning, form fitting white dress with silver details that set the tone of confidence, pride and power.  The second dress, a vibrant blue, was beautifully accessorized by 15 point porcupine quill earrings by Melanie Cookson,  that touched the model's shoulders.My Sister's Closet always features the terrific work of local artisans, yet another way they support women's talents. Throughout this show, symbols of peace, t-shirts with Stop the Violence slogans and specially made ribbons were prominently featured on men and women.  All of the models were not only thoughtfully accessorized but were also very animated as they tossed a leather jacket casually over the shoulder, held up a handbag (Melanie Cookson) or stopped for a confident gaze at photographers and lingered just enough for the audience to get just that great photo. One of my favourite looks was the Olive Oyl green little green tshirt with the wide red belt and flirty black long skirt - such a unique combination.  To all at My Sister's Closet and BWSS - Kudos and Bravo!.

 The complete runway extravaganza can be viewed live at Eco Fashion Week by FMG here.

Hey Jude - Wednesday April 24th-ECO Fashion Week

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen) Photos by Lynn

Hey Jude is a new company (2010) from Lauren Clark and Lyndsey Chow.  A curated vintage collection, this one makes your grandma's clothes look cool.  Leather, long floaty, sheer tops, quilted jackets, shorts, booties and kilts, wow, grandma would have been surprised, proud and delighted!  Thanks for the lookbook, too!

Nicole Bridger's ECO Fashion Week Opening Show - April 21, 2013 at The Portside - Gastown

Colleen is on the Eco Fashion Week scene this week!  Here is her first review! 

Colleen and Lynn on the scene!

Nicole Bridger's opening event for ECO Fashion Week, this season, was staged at The Portside Pub in Gastown, a popular location for young designers, unique eateries and ongoing events like Creative Mornings, Vancouver.  Lots of thrift, vintage and treasures to be found here, too.  The setting, then is an ecclectic mix of new and old, recycled, upcycled and repurposed buildings, perfect for the dramatically masked and softly draped models who posed at strategically placed stations, on the stage and throughout the upper floor of the pub.  While the full house crowd of fans exchanged cards, took photos and tweeted, their attention was constantly focused on this Spring/Summer 2013 Collection: BE! Visit her website here to see her designs!

Nicole, a local, award winning designer (2010 Canada's first ECO Designer of the year) and business owner, (Nicole Bridger Fashions) is committed to ethical fashion, including ethical production.  A Ryerson Grad (Fashion Design), a Vivienne Westwood, intern (London) and a BCIT Grad, her training and experience are evident in her collection, her business success and her leadership as the opener and the tone setter for the rest of ECO Fashion Week.  Around the walls of The Portside were many extensions of the word: Be.  I liked Be yourself, because one could truly that in all of these creations.

Thanks to Sabrina for getting us there and for welcoming us to such a 'happening show'.

Photos by Lynn and Colleen

Corsage Project - Second Year - What to Wear to Prom 2013

I am thrilled to share this year's edition of the Corsage Project's Boutique Ball!  You may remember my post from last year (see here).  The Corsage Project is an organization that is dedicated to helping young women attend their prom.  The organization was founded in Partnership with the Children's Aid Foundation by Carole Atkins and Rhona Sallay (see right) who saw a need for supporting those in need to celebrate one of the biggest milestones of their lives - high school graduation!  The organization provides young women with a new dress, accessories, make-up consultation and a goodie bag - all free of charge.  Having the opportunity to give back my styling skills at this event is one of the highlights of my year.  The volunteers and sponsors work very hard to put this all together and seeing smiling and confident faces makes it all worth it! Visit the Corsage Project Website for more information and I strongly encourage those in fashion to participate next year - you can make a difference!

This year, I was paired with Kayla and her lovely Mother Geneve. We were one of the first teams to start which gave us the time and space to race around and pick out the most fabulous outfit for Kayla's prom.  Last year, I followed a team and documented the process; this year, I got to style and be a part of the excitement!  Kayla and her Mother were wonderful to work with.  Kayla knew exactly what she wanted and selected the first dress she tried on!  She chose a stunning black dress with shiny beaded embroidery detail on the side and we added a purple scarf and bejeweled clutch to match.  Next, we added some jewelry to her look.  We found a beautiful Swarovski purple and pink bracelet and simple circular diamond stud earrings.  Finally, we went to the makeup table where Kayla got some fabulous eyeshadow and lip gloss.  She was the belle of the Boutique Ball this year and her enthusiasm and excitement was the best part of my day.  Looking forward to next year! Special thanks to Amanda Lazarovitz for coordinating my experience.  Good luck at your prom Kayla! 

Beautiful donated jewelry

More prom dresses than last year!

Love the sequins

Fabulous Lorraine

Kayla twirling in her gown and shawl

Beautiful!

Getting Swarovski Styled

With proud Mom

Getting glam!

200 girls arrived for the morning prom dress selection!

Beautiful smile after!

With Geneve and Kayla

Sorry the picture is dark - these Lovely Volunteers run the event!

This could not happen without them!

Thank you to all of you!!!!!!

The Exhibit, The Event, The Show: The Chip and Shannon Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University

Colleen and I have been busy busy, attending events in Vancouver and Toronto!  Read her review of Kwantlen's Design School Show!  You can read more of Colleen's Vancouver and Toronto posts by clicking here. 

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas (Treasure Seeker Colleen) 

The President, Dr. Alan Davis, sported a brilliant blue bow tie and made a grand entrance down the runway, to cheers and applause!  He talked about "amazing achievement" and wished 'the very best' the "very best"! Even before we saw the show, the stage was set!  Students' portfolios, including individual photo, design statement, sketches and collections, resume and much more, further exemplified the best.  Students were there to shake hands, welcome visitors (and future clients) and set the tone for the most wonderful fashion show, ever.  No wardrobe malfunctions here.  Fits were just exquisite, choreography and presentation fabulous- the whole show represented energy, love of chosen profession and commitment to making everyone look great. 

Shavilya Mahadoo

The President

The show, with its lively music and videos for each collection, was dynamic and fast paced.  Motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards, race cars - the reds, the blues and the best looking riding clothes, ever!  Fancy and practical, wearable outfits for kids - all kids would be excited about these.  Travel lines, workout wear, swim wear (divine) clothes for work, clothes for after work, clothes for all ages and shapes but all made to work and to work well.

I had been interviewed last Fall, by Stefania Bussey, about my ideas for fashion - more petites, please.  I was impressed that Kwantlen students were engaged in research: what do women really want to see new designers concentrate on and what is there for various age groups and non standard sizes?  I knew that this show would reflect thoughtful, realistic and stylish creations, not for magazine models but perhaps for some of the local Vancouverites she interviewed.

Stefania Bussey

After reading about Erin Polowy's interview, (The Province) I wanted to find out more about her Eco friendly, organic materials and 'natural' designs.  I found her to be, of course, one of the delightful best, so committed to her vision and designing the hand painted and comfortable clothes I'd love to wear.  Most of her pieces have 'tricks' - that is, they detach and belt up, gather or 'adjust'.  Her idea is that she can design for you and then refashion, redye or 'redo' so that pieces last forever and can be traded or passed on.  She is a teacher, continually part of the design process.  Her advice to undergrads: "Stay true to who you are", and "Your work is about your values."

Erin Polowy

Loved this show and wish all grads the very best!  Look forward to finding your designs in local stores!  Kudos students, and teachers!  Kwantlen - the best of the best!

Beautiful vases of flowers

Dee Maxwell

 Linda Lin

Melody Mishi

Lucia Alonso

Jina Seo