Four (and More) Vancouver Creatives Bringing Sparkle And Shine To The Runway And To The Community Part 2 of 2.

I met Photographer Yvonne Hanson while she was at the beginning of her full time photography career (post here). She has a beautiful and very busy studio now and is travelling all over with Vancouver Fashion Week as well as for many magazine shoots and a vast array of other projects. I interviewed her to find out more about a 12 hour, one day shoot of EWMA runway looks, a tribute to their creativity as well as to a farewell salute to Designer Vivienne Westwood. Descriptions of the shoot would include: Unique, Unconventional, Independent, Activist, Political, Dynamic, Powerful, Dark Glam, Evolving, and Inclusive and Creative Community. This series featured the hats and designs of Artist Sandi Bassett, Laurie Bricker, as well as the designs of other Artists. All are tagged in her the photographs, thanks to Yvonne Hanson and to Rainne Medina, who has organized the group shoots and meticulously kept a careful record of tags. Everyone gets credit, here! Yvonne is able to tell a story with each photograph. She is quick and accurate with her shots and manages to flatter everyone if she catches you in the frame. Yvonne wants to work with 'regular' women, of all ages and sizes. Inclusivity is key. Most people have not thought about modelling, since they think about those on the cover of Vogue or those on the runways at fashion shows. Yvonne has a talent for inspiring confidence and focusing on us as we walk and as we are, rather than freezing us in what might look artificial. She and Rainne are supporting all to make photo memories of theirs and other's work. So a closer, more appreciative look at the designs, the show and where this can lead. And, more social media to share this wealth of creative endeavour. I want to see Yvonne in more photos and perhaps even walking that special runway, this time.

Rainne Medina has many hats and talents. I met her at EWMA Store where Artist Sandi Bassett had her fabulous hats for sale and Rainne came to buy them and take them to LA., NYC and Paris Fashion Weeks and further. See my previous post on Rainne here. She is a Make-Up Artist and Photo Shoot Designer and Producer and is working furiously with local Photographers, like Yvonne Hanson and others, to get Vancouver Fashion Designers and Artists into magazines. She is such a inspiration for others to share their talents, too. Rainne does extensive research for 'looks' throughout history in Art, Music and Popular Culture, globally, both to shape and add depth and complexity to photo shoots. So for EWMA, who else can wear these Designs and who else can be inspired by the runway show and where else besides Vancouver, can this go?

You can see Ads for Rainne's sponsor Bully Blocker in the background of many Vancouver Fashion Week photos. Bully Blocker is a Skin Care Company whose motto is: Healthy Skin. Healthy Life. It is great to know that great skin care products protect the skin of the models, who often model several different faces/looks not only each night but during the whole week. Rainne's philosophy is that everyone should get paid, whether it is time for print or sharing of skills, and that everyone involved, should receive credit. Time is so important and so fees for connecting people to photos and shoots and fees for make up, hair and outfits, are also necessary. I am thinking that everyone should have an illuminated tag to make social media posts not only easier but ensuring credit goes where credit is due.

I asked Rainne what she would like to see for the next EWMA collection. She would like to see Haute Couture and High Fashion. She wants to see more of Sandi Bassett's hats and Laurie Bricker's ceramic (and other materials) jewelry and clothing. She wants to see more post fashion show shoots and, SHE WANTS TO WALK!

This is the story of EWMA studio and EWMA store, where enterprising women create a runway show at Vancouver Fashion Week and then what can happen after that. We know they will again command that runway in April 2023 and we look forward to many follow up photo shoots and all that can evolve from them.