Highlights of Vancouver Fashion Week F/W18

After 7 days of shows at the David Lam Hall in Vancouver, the Vancouver Fashion Week F/W 18 has closed it doors and dimmed its lights. These are the highlights you can not miss.

This season featured an epic line-up of design talent from across the globe. Showcasing the best in local Canadian talent as well as designers representing Italy, Australia, Ghana, Japan, Chile, France, and more, VFW offered variety like no other. Special guest Miss J Alexander, America’s Next Top Model Coach attended the shows, and the Instagram famous Christopher the Pig brought smiles to the audience as he opened and closed the show for Bia Boro Bamboo's underwear line.

Qiongxin Kou, a Chinese designer based in New York, showcased a dreamy collection of womenswear in pretty pinks, bright blues, and canary yellows. Thigh high mirror shine silver boots are contrasted with soft textured knits. Silky shining ruffles and pleated layers, flared sleeves, and printed quilted jackets demonstrate a thoughtful collection of wearable pieces.

Beautiful oriental prints with delicate flowers and shapes filled the runway for Japanese label Baroque Japanesque. An earthy colour palette of deep golds, reds, and blacks set the tone for FW18, with prints adorning silky layers. Japanese designer Shiori Watanabe has created a wide selection of printed pieces to adapt into your wardrobe from skin-tight leggings to kimonos; the exquisite print is placed throughout with matching umbrellas as a highlight.

Allison Nicole Designs from Maryland, U.S showcased a line of elegant femininity, with soft, flowing silks and satins that gently caressed and accentuated the body, each garment adorned with signature, intricate florals. A romantic collection inspired by the female form with muted off-white, blush, pink, and nude shades. A-line waists and free-flowing silhouettes were enhanced with delicate lace, embroidery, sparkling embellishments, and tulle tiers.

Local brand King and Reign presented a show-stopping collection that exuded elegance. Ethereal gowns in soft hues of blush and aqua graced the runway with a dreamlike quality. Plunging necklines and bodices of feathery lace were paired with trailing skirts of airy chiffon that floated around the runway. The collection exquisitely expressed femininity as a work of art.

La Salle College, the Fashion Design Program in Vancouver curated a selection of students work under the theme Global Warming – rethink, reuse, recycle. The first designer was Shuo Yang, who beautifully layered blue and white tones together. Second, Azam Rezahosseini transitioned to gold and floral details, with pops of colour from the inside linings of black and white pieces. A full-length black tulle skirt added volume to a line of sleek bodysuits, slitted pants, and high waisted short shorts by Daniela Dominguez. Sharp black and white contrasts were utilized with creative cuts and mesh fabrics, with textures created by boning and fastenings. Next, Gurkirat Narang’s collection brought pastel hues of nude, red and green to life with detailed high extended necklines. Alannah Anderson closed with a textured collection of ruffled tulle in navy blue.

Bright clashing colours and eccentric prints marked Barbara Riordan’s collection for U.S brand Pariah. The designer's brazen sense of humour shone through her new unisex line, 'Alchemy', with vibrant cartoon prints on sweaters, circle skirts, and trench coats. Black is used throughout as a contrast to emphasize the vivid tones. A highlight look; a bright yellow comic strip printed two piece featuring cropped fitted jacket and a 3 tiered mini skirt with contrast burgundy edging.

San Fran based brand JK Menswear presented deconstruction-style mens outerwear for FW18. Designer Julie Kintner, inspired by the ‘uncut’ aesthetic of walking in the forest, getting lost and feeling raw, plays with patterns and textures that complement nature, with contrasts of neon and metallic for effect. Silkscreen prints feature on loose-fitting utility coats, pleated t-shirts, hoodies, drawstring shorts, pants, and bomber jackets.

Arizona based designer Alexander Sanchez showcased a flamboyant collection of feminine gowns. The elegant line expressed high luxury design and style with a transition through yards of black silk, structured dresses and jackets, sleek velvet, sequins, white lace, frilled hems, and ruffled cuffs. The showpiece; a full-length lace number in vibrant red complete with long train gave a dramatic finale.

Inspired by shadow and reflection, Australian designer Allie Howard looks at revealing and concealing the body. Leather is developed with laser cutting, bonding, layering, weaving, and stacking creating intricate textures for her FW 18 collection GRID. A collection of hybrid forms of natural fibres, leather and organza silk; this is clean and sophisticated womenswear with beautiful finishes and graphic shapes.

Japanese designer Nozomi Kuwahara presented a playful collection in a bold colour palette of yellows, pinks, purples, and reds. Hints of humour shine through the line with a yellow high turtleneck totally covering the face, a mock crocodile leather dress complete with eyeball embellishments, and colourful ‘shoe monsters’ adorning the models feet. Experiments in fluffy faux fur and a red sparkly ‘tongue’ wrap around dress gave a youthful feel for FW18.