With growing concern over the exploitation of Third World labour, toxic processing practices, and all the other lovely side effects of mass clothing production, does the world really need more clothes? That was the question 26 students in Kwantlen University College's fashion design and technology program asked themselves when deciding the theme for their graduation fashion show, held at the River Rock Casino Resort Show Theatre on March 28. The answer, they concluded, is yes. The reason? There are still a lot of niche markets where clothing needs aren't being met. As well, there are a lot of eco-friendly ways to manufacture frocks.

In the ultra-specialized department, Courtney Kennedy showcased British Ballistics, a line of bulletproof coats for men. For the secret-service agent in your life, these jackets are made from a new lightweight fibre that is 40 percent stronger than Kevlar armour and looks about 100 percent more stylin' than the traditional SWAT vest.

And for the fire-breather who never has anything to wear, Shelly Joe has the answer. Her boldly coloured fire-retardant Ignite collection makes burn-free fabrics look smokin' hot.

While these two labels stayed true to their extremely focused visions, some students offered lines with a little more crossover appeal. For example, Brieanna Soo's House of Luv takes cues from house-music culture. But you don't have to know your progressive drum 'n' bass from your acid jazz to appreciate her line of shamelessly sexy clubwear. Her halter minidress was arguably the most runway-ready look of the whole event. For this hotter-than-hell cocktail number, Soo hand-painted silk charmeuse with a splattered indigo, fuchsia, and purple pattern that was all '80s, while her wearable use of the ballon-bottom trend was totally contemporary. My guess is we'll be hearing a lot more about HOL in the not-too-distant future.

And there were plenty of other lines on display that seem destined for bigger catwalks, including Essence, Ashley Ewing's '40s-inspired wool suits and silk blouses for tall women, and UOMO, Andrea Leone's colour-coded, scarf-o-licious collection for Euro-chic men.

When it came to lingerie, there was only one game in town: Alecia Ebbels's Flaunt. As the name suggests, this collection of sass and silk wasn't meant to be worn under clothes; the pieces are just too beautiful to hide. Besides, there isn't a hint of function when it comes to her wireless ruffled bras. Likewise, the frilly gold ginch were to die for, but I can't imagine what kind of underwear lines they would make under jeans. The pièce de rÉsistance here was a mint, rose, and lilac tutu skirt. With more than a nod and a wink to Parisian burlesque, this lacy, layered confection would make Betsey Johnson jealous.

As for streetwear, three forward-thinking designers created lines for young girls who refuse to sit on the sidelines. Danielle Rossi's t.h.i.r.t.y.s.e.v.e.n. makes clothes for female boarders, not betties. Her baggy, rolled-up, tomboy jeans–topped off with suspenders, old-school kicks, and a funky reworked organic hoodie–couldn't have been cuter (or more rider-ready, for that matter). The women who sport one of Kristen Leahy's Scandinavian-inspired Skadi snowsuits (maroon is the showstopper here) aren't hanging around the slopes 'cause they're pro hos; they're there to carve. And you won't catch someone who's poured into one of Cara Sumpton's skintight leather suits sitting on the back of a bike. Made for high-speed safety, her feminine yet empowering Vixen collection is for the chick with a two-wheeled ride of her own.

Garnering the most applause was Adam Blair Dickson's Pansy Conspiracy, a line that encourages gay men to stop trying to blend in. Every day is a Pride parade in his signature brightly coloured blouses. And make no mistake, these aren't dress shirts for men; they are blouses in every fabulous, flamboyant sense of the word.

The Kwantlen grads made two things clear: 1) mass marketing is so yesterday; and 2) purple isn't going anywhere anytime soon. More than half of the collections featured some berry-berry shade. Prince would have been proud.