Kristina Wushke Artist/Designer/Photographer and Reel Maker and Teacher

In front of the big letters that announce Van Fashion Week, I met Kristina Wushke and her friend, Designer Olenak Revenets. We took photos together and I mentioned that I would like to learn how to make a reel. She came right over, the next day of the event and helped me walk around and be in a reel. Our next step will be to choose a location and make another reel that will share her brand and my blog, as well as the businesses around us. We will wear her gorgeous scarves. So happy to meet you, Kristina Wushke and here is your introduction to everyone else who has seen the first reel and said: "I want to be in a reel." Welcome to our group Van Fashion Week. #vfwss22

 The Interview

Q: Tell us about your designs and what brought you to this path.

A: I always was passionate about fashion and my collection of scarves is my starting point in this industry. I love painting and each design is my digital paintings. And of course they are also reflections of my personal stories. My main inspiration resource is local nature, I love living in British Columbia and I found my home here. So I bring my feelings and the way I feel the nature into my designs.


 Q: Where can we find your work and is it signed or tagged in a special way?

A: You can find my full collections on KristinaWushke.com and some of my designs in few local stores. Also my Instagram @kristinawushke is my way to tell the story about the brand. Each scarf has my name printed on it. It can be hidden in the design or just written on the edge.

Q: Where do you source your fabric and what do you do with it?

A: My fabrics are premium quality silks and silk wool blends from historically famous Chinese manufactory. It took around 2 years for my to find the best genuine silk and I discovered different suppliers form all over the world. In the end, I had to go to the roots- China is the place where the silk was invented, and I think they are still one of the best countries in it, if you find the right manufacturer. Each scarf has double side high end printing, so you can wear it on any side. Also I prefer machine hemming rather than hand rolling, I find it more neat. Then goes multiple quality control of each item. After the collection is fully ready, we make beautiful photoshoot of each design and then it’s available on my website for customers and retailers.

Q: What is your favorite piece and why?

A: My favourite piece is LOVE IS FREE scarf because I find this design very resonating with the time we’re living in. We all love to block our expression, talent, feelings in all sorts of ways. If we would remember that feeling of love needs to be free from all our thoughts, we would be much more happy. Sharing love IS happiness itself. LOVE IS FREE scarf reflects this idea. Plus it’s such a universal print, I personally can wear it with almost everything.

Q: How did you decide what to wear at VFW and which designers have you liked so far?

A: I actually didn’t really think what to wear :))) I just came in my standard street wear and in my scarves, but next year I’ll get more serious about it, I swear! :) I was enjoying the show every day, but honestly i didn’t pick my favourite designer yet. Tonight we have the last day of VFW, and I’ll might fall in love with someone’s art.

Here are some samples of Kristina's creations

See more here!

KOME CLOTHING BY KJAER PEDERSEN - TWO PERSPECTIVES BY DIANNA DRAHANCHUK AND COLLEEN

Dianna D. has been a frequent guest writer, here, and has a keen eye for runway shows. Kjaer, very kindly added Dianna to her guest list as we both know KOME, well and wanted to be there for her first fabulous show Van Fashion Week #vfwss23. 

Dianna's Perspective

Kome Clothing paraded three fashion themes down the runway: embellished / upcycled denim clothing and boots, ethnic inspired outfits for men as well as women, and flowing transparent robes, all topped by jaunty hats. Strong exciting colours like deep sea green, rich sunflower yellow and bright sky blue made for a very pleasing display. One can hardly wait for next spring to show them off as Randy did as she wore a Kome robe to this first night of Van Fashion Week for Spring 2023. This was Kjaer Pedersen's first Van Fashion Week show and we sincerely hope to see more of her work at future fashion events.

Colleen's Perspective

What I love about KOME is that everyone can wear it and that is looks beautiful from the back as well as at the front. Kjaer designs clothes with panache and detail. Each piece is unique and is embellished with color, ties, and a variety of pattern and cut combinations. I think the free spirit feeling her work inspires her models as well as her many customers. KOME offers a wide range of informal and formal wear and many accessories. Congratulations on your first show Van Fashion Week, Kjaer! No doubt more of us will be wearing this gorgeous line, next season.

 

Make Up Artist at Vancouver Fashion Week, Paris, LA, Meet Rainne Medina

There is such a huge team of creatives backstage at Vancouver Fashion Week! I recently met Rainne Medina at the Ewma Store, where we were both meeting up with Artist Sandi Bassett and where Rainne would try on and choose two of her fabulous hats to Fashion Weeks in Paris and LA. I can see Rainne wearing one as she does makeup for those modelling in Vancouver Fashion Week, Oct 2023. Rainne did the makeup for the Ewma (Enterprising Women Making Art) show Thurs. Oct 20 at 6:30. More to come!

 

Photo of Rainne and Sandy (Source)

Photo of Rainne and Sandy (Source)

Rainne's interview:

Q: Tell us about career as a Make-Up Artist and Stylist. 

A: I enrolled in the Blanche Macdonald Centre Free Lance Make-Up Course, and Covid, plus my caregiving responsibilities made that very challenging. 4 months into my Make-Up Artistry Program, I applied to Vancouver Fashion Week and was selected for F/W 2020 but again, covid impacted live shows. Not giving up, though, I landed my first stint, for #vfwss. I will be there for #vfwss23

Q: How did you meet Artist @sandibassett?

A. I helped one of the Ewma Store models rehearse for the runway show, as I know how to sashay and make that confident model statement. I loved the hat and outfit she was wearing and she suggested that I follow EWMA and Sandi Bassett on Instagram and learn more. I found out about Ewma Store and the teaching and designing work that Sandi does. 

Q: What is your favorite hat designed by Sandi?

A: My favorite hat is the Mexican one. It has beading and sparkles and complimented the outfits I wore on the streets of Paris and Los Angeles. There is also the hat with goggles and I will likely wear that while I am at Vancouver Fashion Week and later on, in Dubai.

Q: You went to Paris Fashion Week. How was that?

A: Paris is everyone's dream. It was surreal. I got there thanks to Global Fashion Collective and Vancouver Fashion Week Producer, Jamal Abdourahman and Sandy Na. I was endorsed by Bully Blocker owner, Donna. It took a team, and I am so amazed and pleased to have gotten there. It is every Make-Up Artist's dream.

Q. What did you do in LA?

A: LAFW was great. I did one show for Anastasia Magazine and a photo shoot with Merlin Castell, an LA based Coutourier. I have been told that this will be in Vogue, Mexico. I'm excited to see my work with Diego Pacheco, published.

Q: What is your individual style and where do confidence and pizzazz come into that?

A. My ensembles are a mixture of male and female clothing. I match outfits for color and pattern, from head to toe. I create my looks from what I have. I am really glad that I met Sandi, as her hats give a new layer of detail and dimension to my style.

Q: As a Make-Up Artist, are you assigned a look for each show? 

A. Yes, the lead Make-Up Artist provides a face chart to use as a guide for the looks.

Love Rainne Medina's statement and style! Thank you for your interview during this busy time, as we all dress up and get ready for 4 fabulous days of Fashion.

More about Sandi Bassett, her work and last season's show by EWMA/Atira here.

Rainne, Sandi, and me at VFW

ALEX S YU - Colorful, Fantastic, Elegant Womenswear Will Dazzle at Vancouver Fashion Week Sunday, Oct 23, 2022 at 5:30

Educated at University of the Arts, London and at Blanche Macdonald Centre, Alex S. Yu is based here but designs and shows all over the world. Alex has been featured in Vogue as well as many other magazines. He designs for movies and their stars. He has shown at Fashion Weeks in London, Tokyo, Harbin, New York, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver and I have been awed by his shows, here since 2015. Here is what I wrote about Alex last time.

Source

Photos from his previous show at VFW

Alex always has time for his fans and graciously answered these questions about his next show, Sunday October 23, 2022 at David Lam Centre, 50 E. Pender. See 4. Vancouver Fashion Week for tickets.

Q:Where have your shown your designs this season?

A: I've shown this collection, CAPSULE 003 at New York Fashion Week and will show it here, Oct. 23, 2022.

Q:What is your favorite part of each city?

A: New York - I love this city, the arts, the energy and the culture. But definitely that sense of "Anything goes" is what I love most about NYC. Vancouver is home, so it's special to present my work to family and friends.

Q: Colour and play are very important in your work. Do you wear color and who should wear your designs?

A: I love working with color but not so much wearing colors, myself. I feel like my designs are my alter ego. I portray what I imagine in my designs and my style personality is a bit more low key and casual. My clothes can be worn by anyone who likes to have a bit of fun and who likes to dream.

Q: What is most important in a runway show? I notice music and dance are a big part of shows, now.

A: Runway shows, to me, are a story telling tool. I am telling the story of my collection through the clothes, the models, the hair and make-up, and the music and visuals. Everything is important!

Q: How can I buy what I see in your show, this time?

A: I will be posting the collection on my website - http://www.alexsyu.com/ for pre orders.

Thank you, Alex for this interview at such a busy time. No doubt I will see your designs in the audience as well as on the runway. October 23 should be on everyone's calendar