Haley sengsavanh This yer’s unique hybrid Vancouver Fashion Week Spring Summer 2022 season allowed for both virtual and live shows. The third and final day occurred on O t. 24 at the David Lam Hall in Vancouver, B.C. Eight talented designers representing B.C, the United States, Germany, Mexico and Spain showcased their collections. Our live and virtual show-goers were treated to a sartorial feast for the eyes, with fresh and innovative designs in bridal wear, menswear, and more.
If you missed the Vancouver Fashion Week Spring Summer 2022 Day 2 showcases, you can re-watch on the official VFW YouTube channel.
Starting off Day 3 was Vancouver-based eponymous brand ALEX S. YU, presenting a show-stopping contemporary womenswear collection. This label was launched at Vancouver Fashion Week in 2014 and has since been featured in magazines and fashion shows around the world. ALEX S YU is unafraid to play around with bold colours and a variety of silhouettes and aesthetics. From loungewear sets to dreamy tulle pieces, this collection had looks for everyone. The floor length olive coat with leather pants will appeal to street style lovers, while the baby pink minidress is perfect for those who prefer a more feminine touch. Another standout look was a violet tulle dress layered over a sheer long sleeve. At the end of the showcase, all the models and Alex came out, with “WE ARE #TEAMALEXSYU” plastered on the screen behind them.
Berenice Jiminéz is an eponymous brand that showcased “Inefable”, a stunning collection of evening and bridal wear looks. This line is based in Aguascalientes, Mexico and was launched in 2017. This collection was inspired by cyclical love and the beauty of water. These floor length gowns came in shades of sea-foam, maroon, cream, and gold with shimmering beaded and feather detailing. One standout look was a teal satin bodycon maxi dress with a champagne bodice and an off-the-shoulder cape. The final look featured a model in a delicate fold floral crown, a gorgeous gold embroidered princess gown and a matching veil.
Chicago-based eponymous brand Alicia Perrillo presented a unique women’s formal wear collection. She founded her brand in 2016 after graduating from the fashion program at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The colour palette is inspired by images taken from the Hubble telescope, utilizing black, purple, teal, silver, and gold. The opening look features a white fabrics and metallic detailing, Perrillo’s garments shimmer in the spotlight mimicking far away galaxies and constellations. The closing look was a sequinned bodycon maxi dress with a lace up back, paired with glittery sheer fingerless opera gloves.
GEBEI HE is an eponymous American label that showcased a casual menswear collection in earthy tones. She graduated with a Master’s degree in Menswear design from the London College of Fashion. Models strutted with white lines drawn on their faces to outline the contours of their complexion. The opening look was a tan button up and short set, with oversized breast pockets and tie detailing. Some looks were accessorized with straw details, from purses, belts, to sun hats. The closing look also featured a unique detail. A greige maxi shirtdress with a ruffled hem was layered with a long cream fringe vest.
The start to SUNDAY MORNING’s collection was definitely memorable, with smoke pouring out onto the runway to match the background graphics. The Spanish brand was founded by designer Elena García-Arquimbau Borrás, who studied at the Escola Superior de Disseny and at the London College of Fashion. The models all had long curved acrylic nails and some also wore pointed prosthetic elf ears. The garments came in bright red, orange, green, and purple, created from latex and faux fur. A black stretch fabric printed with colourful cartoon animals was also used to create matching sets and collared dresses. The closing look featured a dramatic multicoloured coat with a towering high collar.
New York-based eponymous brand Gwen Hine presented her innovative debut collection entitled “A Change of Pace.” Hine was formally trained at the Fashion Institute of Technology, receiving her BFA in Fashion Design with a specialization in evening wear. These garments are a perfect marriage between women’s athleisure and formalwear. The recurring bold black lines and neon coloured fabrics were reminiscent of sportswear styling, but the elegant silhouettes were similar to the cut of evening gowns. The standout look was also the closing look, which was a strapless cobalt blue maxi dress with pockets and a drawstring waist. Overall, Gwen Hine showed off a fun and geometric collection.
CO-DE is a German slow fashion luxury brand that showcased a colorful collection with mens and womenswear offerings. Fashion designer Tanja Salem founded the label in Spring of 2020 following her graduation from the Media Design University of Applied Science in Munich. CO-DE creates clothing inspired by expressionist art styles, which is evident in the bold colours and painting-patterned fabric. The garments are casual and have relaxed silhouettes. A standout menswear look is the mustard yellow jumpsuit with white cuffs and cobalt blue collar detailing. The standout womenswear look is heavily layered, featuring a colour-blocked jacket, printed long sleeve top, and multi-coloured ruffled skirt.
To close the VFW S/S 22 season was Nanaimo-based brand Ay Lelum The Good House of Design, presenting the incredible ‘Stqeeye’ collection. This label is a second-generation Coast Salish Design House founded by sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good. These garments were beautiful and told their family’s creation story of the wolf. The garments came in various shades of red and cream in flowing fabrics and luxurious velvets. Standout looks included a beautiful orange ombre column gown with flowing cape sleeves and a navy gown with the Traditional Coast Salish Eye of Life printed in bronze on the bodice and back. The final look was a custom red cape and set of leg warmers worn by Montreal’s best dressed celebrity, Tika the Iggy!
