B.C. Fashion Week revved up the runway action from September 26 to October 1, with previews of spring shows centred at Performance Works on Granville Island. The FMA Vancouver show (formerly Fashion Rocks) was just one of the other stylin’ events to make for a busy week. Here, in pictures and words, is a recap of some of the catwalk chaos...
Anna Kosturova There may only be a certain number of ways to reinvent the bikini, but Vancouver’s Kosturova puts new spins on her collection of crochet each time her beach babes bounce down the catwalk. This year, at BCFW’s September 28 show, her line expanded to include swimwear for the five-and-up set. The children’s line includes a cutie-pie watermelon-themed bikini. And weren’t we all dying to see a miniature version of the gingham print short-and-bikini-top set?…
Mara Gottler The bright orange and warm bamboo beiges of Mara Gottler’s show on September 29 at Performance Works seemed to skip spring altogether and set the scene for a dry, warm summer. Inspired by her family home on the Croatian coastline of the Adriatic, Gottler used a variety of silks (raw silks, silk/cotton blends, dupioni, chiffons), linens (burlap linen included), and cottons to showcase her coats, soft and delicate bubble skirts, high-waisted trousers, balloon sleeves, and capelet jackets. The opening piece, a white cotton-eyelet halter-style dress à la Marilyn Monroe, set the tone for a classic collection made for the woman who knows how to relax and look good when she travels…
Kulpa Joanna Kulpa has always been known for her solid understanding of key wardrobe pieces. Her expanded full collection for spring 2007 was an elegant parade of sheath dresses, pencil skirts, and variations on the wrap top. Silhouettes are lean and close to the body, with belted accents. Of note at the September 30 BCFW show were her slim-legged pants with front pleat details. Pin tucks at the base of plunging U necklines and skirts add the kind of designer detailing that is Kulpa’s signature. Standout piece: the black linen vest with oversize lapels and exaggerated ribbon closure…
Lela Later the same night on the same runway, Lela trotted out a collection of golf wear that bends, twists, and tweaks links-dressing etiquette enough to release the Tiger in the Woods. Black and purple summon the punk-rock golfer, while the minis and argyle channel a bit of the not-so-nice prep-school student. Pedal pushers, pleated minis, polos, and sweater vests are all there, but now they’ve got thin-strap details and silhouettes that push the standard golf fare into sexy pinup…
FMA Vancouver 2006 Meanwhile, over at the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts that evening, as impressive as the designer gowns were at the third annual FMA gala, most of the “oohs” and “ahs” were for the canine-couture portion of the fashion show. Not even the swimsuit models garnered as much attention as the four-legged divas that were sporting rhinestone collars, matching pink leashes, and faux-fur coats courtesy of Barking Babies and Donald J. Pliner. Which is only fitting, considering the BCSPCA was one of three charities benefiting from the Fashion, Music and Art extravaganza. But before these pooches stole the show, Montreal’s Parasuco featured its latest line: here it was all about big hair, even bigger bags, dark jeans, and stacked heels. Complementing this quintessential rock ’n’ roll look was North Van’s answer to Hot Hot Heat, the Sessions, who played a killer set as the denim-clad babes worked the catwalk. From Australia, Seafolly showed off its spring 2007 beachwear collection. On the local front, there was plenty of new talent on display as well, including rising star Jolie Chan Bessier. Closing the show was Reem Acra, a New York designer whose fan base includes Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angelina Jolie, and after seeing her curve-friendly, red-carpet stunners it’s easy to understand why...
Evan and Dean The unofficial awards for B.C. Fashion Week debut of the season and show-stealer handily go to Evan and Dean, whose looks hit the Performance Works runways on the final day of the fashion fest. Design duo Raymond Boutet and Lyle Reimer trotted out a collection of not-so-basic must-haves for spring, including their interpretation of the shirtdress and the polo shirt. Silhouettes were tight to the body, with the skinny pant still dominating. Origami detailing appeared on jacket collars, while sheer silks were layered over heavy cotton skirts or denim-esque pants. The palette mixed dainty polka dots with both a navy floral print and another in a vivid green featuring an oversize dandelion. What remains to be seen, however, is what happens when Jason Matlo and Christina Culver show alongside the newcomers in the kind of fashion week we all can’t wait to see…