Photos: Thrifted threads get runway treatment at Vancouver’s Eco Fashion Week

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      The 10th edition of Eco Fashion Week kicked off at Vancouver’s Fairmont Waterfront Hotel (900 Canada Place) on Monday (April 11), beginning a four-day–long showcase of the slow fashion movement and what applying the three Rs to your closet can really mean.

      The Straight attended both Monday’s and Tuesday’s shows, where we got an up-close look at the seasonal event’s three signature shows: the Chic Sheets Challenge, the Value Village Thrift Style Challenge, and the 81-Pound Challenge.

      Each show featured preloved fabrics, apparel, and accessories that have been transformed by local designers and stylists into runway-worthy pieces.

      “Our role here is primarily to continue the dialogue and to help people understand that there are alternatives for their textile items other than going into the waste stream,” says Tony Shumpert, vice president of recycling and reuse at Value Village, during an interview with the Straight pre-show, “given that so much of it today still makes its way there.”

      Check out some of our favourite picks from the challenges below.

      Chic Sheets Challenge

      Nine local designers were tasked with creating Balmain-inspired garb using discarded bed linens from the Fairmont Waterfront.

      Designer Rachelle Love drew from Pierre Balman's 1950s ball gowns and the floral embellishments that adorned them.
      Peter Jensen
      showed at Vancouver Fashion Week in March, was inspired by the "absurdity" of Christophe Decarnin, who led Balmain during the 1930s recession.">
      Designer Evan Clayton, who also showed at Vancouver Fashion Week in March, was inspired by the "absurdity" of Christophe Decarnin, who led Balmain during the 1930s recession.
      Peter Jensen
      Designer Connally McDougall played with 70s trends and lots of volume.
      Peter Jensen
      Designer Kim Cathers presented this cut-out piece as an ode to 1960s Balmain's feminine nature.
      Peter Jensen

      Thrift Style Challenge

      Three stylists curated pieces from Value Village to create fully realized fashion collections that look anything but secondhand.

      Stylist Nathalie Rees channels boho-chic in a collection of Coachella-ready garb.
      Peter Jensen
      Stylist Nathalie Rees channels boho-chic in a collection of Coachella-ready garb.
      Peter Jensen
      Stylist Jason Pillay resurrects the '80s with his unabashedly eclectic collection.
      Peter Jensen
      Stylist Jason Pillay resurrects the '80s with his unabashedly eclectic collection.
      Peter Jensen
      '70s flower-power meets the Wild West in stylist Nadia Albano's relaxed curation.
      Peter Jensen
      '70s flower-power meets the Wild West in stylist Nadia Albano's relaxed curation.
      Peter Jensen

      81-Pound Challenge

      Under the mentorship of Jason Matlo, Wen-chee Liu, and Glencora Twigg, fashion design students from the Vancouver College of Art and Design crafted a collection weighing 81 pounds in total. The number reflects the total weight of textiles and clothing that the average North American throws out every year. 

      VCAD students transformed secondhand clothing into a glamourous line that evokes the feel of Old Hollywood.
      Peter Jensen
      VCAD students transformed secondhand clothing into a glamourous line that evokes the feel of Old Hollywood.
      Peter Jensen
      VCAD students transformed secondhand clothing into a glamourous line that evokes the feel of Old Hollywood.
      Peter Jensen
      VCAD students transformed secondhand clothing into a glamourous line that evokes the feel of Old Hollywood.
      Peter Jensen
      VCAD students transformed secondhand clothing into a glamourous line that evokes the feel of Old Hollywood.
      Peter Jensen

      Eco Fashion Week runs until this Thursday (April 14). For more information about the remaining shows, or to purchase tickets, click here.

      Places to go nearby

      Approx. 15 minutes away

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