Last night (November 3), graduates of John Casablancas Institute's Fashion Arts program celebrated in style with a fashion show. The event–the largest JCI production to date–was a clear departure from the school’s more intimate summer show, Doll Me Up, and also marked 30 years of fashion, makeup, hair, and design at the Vancouver school.

The stylish affair was simple yet sophisticated. A black runway ran the length of the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle’s ballroom and was flanked by two large video screens, allowing for the focus of the evening to be on clothes and nothing else.

The show kicked off with an awards ceremony for the graduates of JCI’s Fashion Arts program, with top honours going to Lindsay Jang for makeup artistry, Lisa Kyllonen for hair art design, and Julia Chan for fashion business.

The ceremony was kept short and sweet, and was followed by a fashion show featuring designs from some of Vancouver’s hottest and trendiest boutiques. Usual suspects Moule, Blubird, Dep Wear, Halo, Wearelse, Boudoir, and Le Chateau sent out their must-haves for the fall and winter, which made clear that this season isn’t about hiding behind flowing fabrics and silhouettes. Body-hugging, high-waisted skirts were paired with jewel-toned satin blouses and dresses, none of which were very forgiving to the female figure. Dark olives, maroons, and the always chic black dominated most collections. Black tights, black dresses, black sequins appeared in every collection. Who would have thought that all these black items could outshine the coloured outfits?

Bright and bold winter coats and leg-baring satin dresses from Moule, Boudoir, and Bluebird were the standout designs of the evening, as were the many wearable pieces on display that hinted at the smoldering and sultry looks to come in the winter season.

The night also gave an opportunity for the beautiful and impeccably-dressed audience to mingle outside the ballroom, where a silent auction had women of all ages bidding for everything from Botox treatments to a silk Gucci scarf. Seasoned bidders stepped aside, with a glass of Riesling in one hand and an adorable, colourful cupcake in the other to await the last call for bids. A little friendly competition all for a good cause, as the proceeds from the night’s auction, 50/50 draw, and ticket sales went to the United Way Empty Stocking Fund.