ART VANCOUVER International Art Fair 2019

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas

Carolyn Bruce and I attended the Art Vancouver Premiere, April 25th. With more than 100 Artists and Galleries exhibiting, it would have been difficult to see everything in one night, so we really enjoyed the Art Runway Show where Artists take their work down the stage and everyone can see paintings, sculpture, photographs, fashion and more, from all angles. Each Artist prepares a statement and that is read as they share their work with the audience. Everyone was encouraged to cheer and applaud. As Lisa Wolfin, Founder and Artist, herself, says, this is not a stuffy, formal show. It is live, it is interactive, and it is noisy.

People dressed up, bringing their own wearable Art to the Convention Centre. Carolyn Bruce created two fabulous necklaces, which were in tiny Art Frames, especially for this event. Attached to the frames were miniature purses and so the necklaces are called: The Art is in the Bag. My green themed outfit is from My Sister's Closet at Seymour and Helmcken, which is a unique little boutique 'gallery' of a store supporting Battered Women and their families. Many Artisans sell their jewellery, pottery and cards at the store, so Art is all around us. Finally, a big thanks to MITSU Misako Hair Studio on Davie, for a great cut, so no hat necessary!!

Attending Art Vancouver, helps you see Art all around you, reconnects you with like minded friends and ensures that you meet new Artists. You cannot go to the exhibits and events and be isolated, although there is space for quiet moments of reflection and appreciation. However, people talk and share ideas, take photos, buy new pieces and learn about new galleries to visit. For example, I know Yukiko Onley from her gallery: Visual Space, but met her as she was volunteering for another gallery: EMP Gallery, new to me. I met Writer Marilyn R. Wilson, and Designer Jason Siu, from Vancouver Fashion Week and I can certainly see a lot of collaborative possibilities between the worlds of Art and Fashion. Lovely to see Laura Noonan MMATLP Photography Collective: Meet Me At The Lamp(p)ost. Laura has helped me a lot with Instagram photos and it is terrific to hers on exhibit. Great to meet Yvonne Cheng, Exhibitions Co-ordinator and Exhibitor for Lipont Place

Here are some highlights from the Premiere. Much, much more to be seen over the entire weekend.

Find the details here on Art Vancouver.

Yukiko Onley 

Laura Noonan

Jason Siu and Marilyn R. Wilson

Painting of Lisa Wolfin

Yvonne Cheng

Art by Skyla Wayrynen

Colleen Tsoukalas

Carolyn Bruce 

That's a wrap!

First Time Experience at Vancouver Fashion Week for Designer SOOJINU and Illustrator LEAH MICHAUD, from John Cassablanca Institute

Written by Colleen Tsoukalas

I want to thank Sarah Murray, Community Relations Manager for Vancouver Fashion Week and Melanie Kroeker McIntosh, Instructor at John Cassablanca Institute, for their support to share Korean Designer, Soojin's first runway experience and Leah Michaud's first time illustrating a runway show. I wrote about my first meeting with them here. Thanks to both for sharing their talents! Having had countless wonderful opportunities, over the years, to volunteer, write, model and meet so many creative Designers, Artists, Photographers, Musicians, Media, Models - an entire community, both local and international, I want to also thank Jamal Abdourahman, Founder, for keeping VFW the dynamic seven day event that it is and has been since 2001. Not only does it happen twice a year, but it travels (Fashion Capsule) to New York and Japan. Extremely important, then that the Fashion Programs students see it as part of their curriculae and take advantage of the endless opportunities it provides. Thanks, finally to Faye Cottrill, who sent me all the links to VFW to keep me up on the latest, as I was out of town, and would have missed what was yet another fabulous week! Here I am, last season, with those lit up letters! And where would we be without professional photos from the runway by Filippo Fior.

Impressions of Vancouver Fashion Week - Leah Michaud

Written by Leah Michaud

The staff was very welcoming and accommodating, someone helped me to my seat inside the venue and informed me of the showroom as well as the "VIP" room (anyone could go sit there really even though it was apparently for media and reserved seats).

The show itself was very fun to watch. The people sitting around me most of the night were young artists, photographers and designers so they were very social and fun to banter with as the evening progressed.

The runways were filled with so much power, passion, skill, love and creativity. Every collection was so well crafted and thought out. I felt as though I understood the designer's persona and energy right as the first model paraded down the runway to the designer's music of choice.

My favourites were SU MODA (modest / hijab fashion), Nöelziñia (romantic / artistic style), and of course my lovely Soojinu. More on both Designers Vancouver Fashion Week.

I wish I had gone every day of the week if possible. I felt really in my element while I was there. Even though I didn't speak to as many people as I would have liked, I'm definitely ready to return next season and make my mark as a Vancouver fashion illustrator.

Impressions of Vancouver Fashion Week - Soojinu

Written by Soojinu

I took my first step as a fashion designer when I debuted my first runway show to Vancouver Fashion Week. I felt incredibly happy when my childhood dream came true. But on the other hand, I felt empty especially when the show, which I had prepared for about three months, was finished in six minutes. It was over so quickly, but I know many opportunities  will come to me through this Vancouver Fashion Week experience. I am grateful to all who have helped and cared for me. I'll show you the brand name of SOOJINU. Please give us lots of attention and love. I wish to thank the make-up Artist, who created such dramatic eyes for my models, and to the Hair Stylist who created that perfect hair to complement their clothing. Thanks to the models, including my friend, Adam, who walked my story down the red carpet. Finally, Leah's illustrations captured so many details, as the models walked so quickly by her. Many people watched her as she sketched. I love her work and hope to do more projects with her. Here is the link to her article and her illustrations: http://www.clotheslinefinds.com/2019/04/impressions-of-vancouver-fashion-week.html

Photo credit Filippo Fior