Haley sengsavanh This year’s unique hybrid Vancouver Fashion Week Spring Summer 2022 season allowed for virtual and live shows. Day 1 kicked off on Friday, October 22nd at the David Lam Hall in Vancouver, BC. Ten incredible global designers showcased their latest collections, from designers across and the United States to Japan, Korea, Poland, and Denmark. Show-goers were able to spectate a variety of styles, from bridal gowns to formal Indian attire to men’s underwear.
If you missed the Vancouver Fashion Week Spring Summer 2022 Day 1, you can re-watch on the official VFW YouTube Channel.
Our first live designer showcase was from Mivinna, a local B.C. designer who presented beautiful evening and bridal wear. Designer Mina Esmaeili named the brand using the Persian word for her favourite flower, the daisy, and her granddaughter Vianna. This latest collection was inspired by the limitless possibility of the sky and created using luxurious Iranian and Turkish fabrics. The opening look was a gorgeous purple ball gown, with a full skirt and silver tendril appliques. A standout from this collection was a black dress made from black shimmery crocheted squares. The showcase closed with a bridal gown, which had a bodice made from white fabric roses and a matching veil with a rose pattern on the edge.
Aranka Jacoba Scheeper presented a visionary gender fluid collection entitled “Lone Flower”. This Danish designer founded her eponymous brand in January 2020 after graduating from the Scandinavian Academy of Fashion Design. She used sustainably sourced and hand-painted fabrics for this collection. The olive green and armour-like harnesses clearly represented her homage to the Danish military handling the COVID-19 pandemic. But the harsh military inspiration was harmoniously balanced out with floral detailing and use of pastel colours. The white jumpsuit with baby blue cord and zipper detailing, and the utilitarian military vest over a high cropped shirt are Aranka at her best.
A colourful collaborative collection was showcased by ATIRA x EMWA. One program that local non-profit ATIRA runs is Enterprising Women Making Art (EMWA), which offers a range of creative classes. This organization supports women and children who have faced violence and other barriers in the Downtown Eastside. This year’s garments were created by nine women following a colour blocking theme. They mainly used purple fabric to represent domestic abuse awareness, and orange fabric to represent the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The styles were bold, with a standout opening look featuring a purple and gold bikini and orange cover up.
Crystal Dress showcased a vast collection of evening wear looks for women and men. For her womenswear, Korean designer Crystal Kang uses many types of glittering material and bold colours that pack a punch under the runway lights. Some of her fabrics included tiny Crystal Dress logos hidden into the design. Her opening look was a gown with a bodice covered in silver and royal blue sequins and sheer black lace bottom. The model wore matching accessories, with dangling silver earrings and a bracelet. Another shimmering look was a silver set, featuring a bra silhouettes. one look featured a tartan blazer with a black bow tie.
Lilymoon presented a dark and moody debut collection. This California-based brand was created by Lilymoon Perez and this collection was developed while she was studying at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising as one of mine students in the Debut Advanced Associates program. The opening look featured a gold brocade button up with a wide collar tucked into a long luxe purple velvet skirt. Long black and gold brocade ribbons dangled from burgundy velvet blazers and wrapped around short black dresses. Another recurring technique were the use of oversized ruffles, adorning the front of a black button up and acting as sleeves for her closing look.
Japanese brand UNDEPENDANT showcased a simple unisex collection. Founder and designer Saki Nakamura presented basics in muted colours and no patterns. Staples in this collection were button ups that were made from vertical strips in varying lengths of two fabrics in similar shade. The opening look was one such top made from lime and forest green material, staggered to create a diagonal hem. It was styled with a black skirt. There were also a couple sweatshirt offerings, including a cream coloured one with hot pink drip marks around the neckline. The silhouettes are flow-y, relaxed, and comfortable. The closing look included a white top that tied together in the middle, paired with a seafoam button up and teal pants.
Priyanka Signature Couture presented “BE-Nari 22”, a colourful and confident showcase of glamorous Indian formal wear. Designer Priyanka Chopra is originally from Mumbai and uses this collection to share her cultural roots with a sense of pride. She used many fine fabrics like pure banarasi silk, georgette, satin, and zardozi embroidery with pearls. The collection opened with a stunning gold and hot pink choli and lehenga set. The model also was dripping in gold jewelry and accessories with a beaded purse. Another standout look was the closing garment, created in a richly embroidered lime green fabric and matching bright red scarf. The model also wore a gold beaded bucket bag, and layers of gold and green necklaces.
Polish label Emerald Queen Art showcased a strong collection of corseted dresses, inspired by alternative culture and late 19th and early 20th century style. Designer Urszula Luczkanyn accessorized her looks with custom-made feather hair accessories by fellow Polish brand Blanka Atelier. The model who opened the show had large white and black feathers tucked into her hair, and she wore a tightly fitted cream dress with a long skirt that had intricate black beading all around the bottom. Another jaw-dropping standout look included a turquoise minidress with a PVC neck piece, underbust corset, and winged headband. The last two garments were incredible lace corset looks with a matching hoop skirt, first in royal blue and then in black.
J.A Collection presented a versatile collection with looks for both women and men. This Korean label showed business casual looks in a simple colour palette. The opening look featured a long navy trench coat over a baby blue button up and fitted trousers. Some looks featured youthful silhouettes, like an oversized cropped jacket with balloon sleeves and matching wide-leg pants. A standout women’s look was a lace collared blouse layered with a black tweed leg slit dress. The menswear offerings included similar stylish and relaxed styling. A standout men’s look included a sheer patterned button up and black straight-leg pants, paired with a black cross-body bag and black shoes.
Lastly, TOOT closed Day 1 with a bold men’s underwear collection. This Japanese brand showcased a multitude of colourful briefs and loungewear. The opening model wore a pair of red underwear with a striped band. Some more unique pieces showcased were the patterned jockstraps and the split derriere briefs, with one side of the fabric removed. The collection also featured matching tee and briefs or shorts sets, in white, coral and olive green. The closing look was a baggy black and grey hoodie and shorts set, with the TOOT label printed onto the bottom right edge on the back.
