June Fashion Event list
June 7-8 Adhesif Clothing's annual studio sale (119 W. Pender #418). Sat. 1-8, Sun. 11-7. 20% off all current and past season's designs. For more info call 778-231-4930 or e-mail info@adhesifclothing.com.
June 7-8 Fab Fair's Bags & Bling summer sale at the Heritage Hall (3102 Main St. at 15th). 45 local jewelry and accessory designers. 11am- 5pm. Tix $2. For more info e-mail fabfair@hotmail.com.
June 15 Corset Soiree at Lace Embrace Atelier (219 E. 16th). 11am - 10pm with live window modeling at noon. All day performances of live music and dance. Current customers will arrive from 4 pm onward wearing corsets to show off at the block party event. For more information phone 604-737-1119 or e-mail info@laceembrace.com.
June 19-21 Tension Clothing's annual warehouse sale, 112 East 3rd (at Quebec). Fabulous deals on women's clothing from Tension, Sweet Chemise, Coy Cat and T by Tension. Thurs. 12-8, Fri. 12-7, Sat. 12-4. For more information e-mail info@tensionclothing.com.
Thru June 22 Movers and Shapers at the Vancouver Museum (1100 Chestnut St.). Exhibit featuring the newest crop of Vancouver designers shaping the future of architecture, interior, graphic product, furniture, fashion, industrial, textile and interative design. Tickets are $11 (students $9). For more information go to www.vanmuseum.bc.ca.
June 29 Portobello West Fashion and Art Market; London style market with over 80 local fashion designers and artisans, Rocky Mountaineer Station (1755 Cottrell St. off of Terminal Ave.), $2 admission, children under 12 free, Noon-6pm .www.portobellowest.com
July 3 Helen Lefeaux's 27th Annual Grad Fashion Show at the Croatian Cultural Centre (3250 Commercial Dr.). Doors open at 7, show at 8. Tix are $35 with $5 from each ticketing benefiting the Caring Hearts Society. For information or tickets e-mail info@helenlefeaux or phone 604-687-3352.
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Threads of life
By Alicia-Rae Light
What started as a small development project when 250 hand-woven alpaca scarves were purchased in Bolivia and brought back to be sold in Canada to help the artisans and their families develop a sustainable lifestyle, led to something much more. The project was immediately given so much enthusiasm, causing the creation of Creative Development Initiatives, a non-profit organization promoting international development.
On May 16, CDI held its launching event, Paradigm Shift, at the Vancouver Museum. The room was filled with people of all ages and backgrounds including students, doctors, diplomats, business people, social activists, and politicians. Barefoot wine was served to all guests, and the highlight of the evening was a fashion show featuring eco-friendly designers, gorgeously produced by Keiko Boxall of Studio Keiko, with stunning models gracing the runway as DJ Pritosys and DJ Sheps donated their skillful sounds giving the room the energy and excitement it deserved, spinning sexy house and dirty electro beats throughout the course of the evening.
Founder Joshua Cox said, ''What we can accomplish is only limited by the depth of our own creativity and the strength of our will.'' The creative threads of each of the designer's garments presented the same sustainable nature as the alpaca scarves themselves, as well as that of the basis of the organization.
Mother Trucker Clothing, a fresh, fashion forward and organic line by Erin Stanford, used a combination of silk screening with classic cuts and lines featured many unique garments including a striking black high-waisted skirt with gold button detail.
Sarah Reynolds' line, Haras, incorporated a gorgeous hand pleated skirt as well as a houndstooth boat neck shirt, the highlight of her collection. Nicole Bridger's line NBD featured garments using only sustainable fabrics, with attention drawn to her knitwear, vests, t-shirts and a stunning pink and black polka dot skirt. Vancouver-based textile artist Gretchen Elsner had the models walk the runway barefoot as they revealed her collection of one-off garments made of materials like burlap and construction fencing. Each piece had hint of Native American and Asian influence. Coquette Couture's newest garments emphasized the use of shiny satin fabrics and a fushia color pallet, including their signature bubble dress. Mary Helen Creation's collection can be described as wearable art inspired by nature, with intricate feather and bead detail.
One piece from each of the designer's collections was auctioned off and all proceeds were donated to CDI.
The student-run organization, founded by UBC graduate Joshua Cox, strives to promote social justice and gender equality, as well as to provide technology, education and financial assistance to developing countries with a present focus on South America. By building partnerships within the community, their goal is to provide today's youth with opportunities to design and implement environmentally sustainable development projects in these countries making a significant difference in the developing parts of this world we live in.
Current projects include aiding a community center in a slum outside of Buenos Aires, which is now receiving efficient energy through the use of solar panels as well as books, food and clothing thanks to the profits and donations made. CDI is weaving together the threads of life into a gorgeous tapestry that these people are capable of living. With and each thread of support, love and dedication that is offered, this possibility will become reality.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you want to see in the world," and members and supporters of this organization are doing just that.
The Fabulous Four
By Alicia-Rae Light
The elegant Renaissance Hotel in downtown Vancouver was perfectly chosen as the venue of Fashion IV, the grad show put on by the four fabulous grad students of 2008 from Vancouver's La Salle fashion program. Their goal was to raise as much as they could for the British Columbia Cancer Foundation, while showcasing the ladies work. With a breathtaking ocean view and live music by UTS, students, family, friends and media gathered to watch the ladies reveal their year's worth of creations.
Monica Rodriguez, native of Mexico City, showcased her line, Fashion in Love, inspired by the feeling of love with all of her garments in black and chrome. Her menswear was the highlight of the show, featuring fashionable street ware with plaid and button details. The handprint detail really stood out and with hand stitched, careful detail her line is most defiantly ready to be launched in to the world of fashion.
Darlyn Brenes, a young woman of Costa Rican heritage, proudly presented her posh line, Maritza, with a sense of glamour yet still kept it classic and simple. A lot of lace knit and detail were present Her high-waisted black skirt, waist length coat lines with white satin, and hot pink sweat fleece jumper dress were the highlights of her line.
Vianney Cabrera, also a native of Mexico City, was by far the highlight of the show. Three little girls, about five years old, strut their stuff down the runway modeling a few of her children's garments. Her adult garments were also nothing short if amazing, featuring a high waisted skirt with sheer detail as well as a gorgeous orange and black skirt with ruffle details.
Kaylyn Mackenzie's collection had amazing back detail, featuring a dress with sheer grey fabric draped over the back and pinched in the middle creating a unique look. Her red dress with hand-pleated fabric was the most intricate and stunning garment of the show.
All in all the show was fantastic and the girls finished off their year with a well deserved standing ovation, look for these ladies in Vancouver's fashion scene in the very near future.
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