At Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2019, which wrapped up this Sunday, different Vancouver-based fashion designers presented collections that prove British Columbia is not only full of talent, but also home to a wonderfully diverse array of aesthetics and styles. From 17-year-old entrepreneurs to bold drag-queen couturiers, Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2019 was host to a slew of designers from all walks of life.

In addition to B.C.’s own, a fresh assortment of unique international designers flies in each season to show their fashion lines at the media-focused event. Many of these labels are new projects piloted by recent fashion graduates.

This season, new local designers included Haus of Zuk by Peter Zuk, who recently launched his own label after a mentorship with Evan Clayton (a popular Vancouver designer and brand that has been showing with Vancouver Fashion Week for the past decade). Another newcomer was GEROME, a recent Blanche Macdonald graduate, whose Fall/Winter 2019 collection stood out for its craftsmanship and a stylish 1970’s aesthetic. We’ve assembled a few local highlights for your “fashionista” viewing pleasure in this fashion week wrap-up.

Kicking off the week was Profanity by LillzKillz, a loud and quirky brand by 21-year-old Nelson-born Lillea Goian. The light-hearted new collection, titled Profaniski, took inspiration from winter sports, informed by Goian’s teen years in the ski culture of Whitewater Mountain. “Park rat” oversized hoodies were juxtaposed with Profanity-branded spandex, while snowboard boots were complemented by those DC skate shoes every teenager in Whistler had in 2009.

Vancouver staple EVAN CLAYTON filled the room with adrenaline with his new collection, titled LIKE HELL.  A few looks incorporated medieval-armour forms, which were reimagined into fabrics with modern silhouettes. Another memorable look featured a plastic chest plate with extended pointed shoulders and pointed nipples. Towards the end of the show, a full-body cloak covered with black soft frills that danced in the breeze of the model’s stride made its way down the runway, almost like a cloud of dark smoke.  Meanwhile, a smoke machine decorated the runway floor with mist while energetic music contributed to the theatrical appeal of the garments.  The show more than delivered in the energy and attitude that fans of the label have come to expect.

At 17-years-old, Ming Lim from CRAZYYABAI incorporated fantasy imagery into a collection that explores the idea of self-peace.

Sarah Runnall’s Collection featured quite a few stand-out looks where single strings of yarn drew spontaneous linear forms and patterns, extending off the garments and onto the model’s faces at some points. The designs evoked “a lazy west-coast spring day”, and demonstrated quality tailoring throughout. 

Soojinu, a label created by B.C.-based designer Soojin Woo, drew from Woo's Korean heritage to create a unique collection inspired by Shamanism.

Fetish-meets-teddy bear is one way to describe Overdose!!! by Vancouver designer Peter Zuk. Cosplay and video-game culture informed a collection of looks modeled by locally revered drag talent, and fuzzy teddy-bear harnesses were modeled on the runway by bears themselves.  Unapologetically taboo, the show drew roars from the audience, and probably woke up a few unsuspecting audience members in the early evening crowd.

Designer Tyler Alan Jacobs of TAJ House of Talents, a member of the Squamish First Nation, presented traditional Coast-Salish motifs integrated with contemporary fabrics, cuts, and attitude!

Recent Blanche Macdonald graduate GEROME put together an electrifying show of streetwear-inspired looks for men and women. The collection featured a wide range of materials and influences, and included an oversized corduroy puffer jacket with matching brown pants. Explosive and visceral music by Vancouver-based rap group So Loki drove models to walk forcefully down the runway.

Amy Herndon from IZATION STUDIO presented a collection that aimed to expose and break down societal norms. Experimental composition, a technical approach, and streetwear influences informed her execution. A highlight look was a bright yellow ankle-length puffer jacket paired with cobalt blue baggy trousers.

Returning local label GRANDI splashed a collection of wonderfully elementary colours onto wardrobe staples.

Ryan Li’s Fall/Winter 2019 collection Redeem Your Soul creatively incorporated menswear staples into a womenswear context, which featured metallic fabrics with deep hues. After the show, Li was awarded the Nancy Mak Award, a scholarship presented by Vancouver Fashion Week, which recognizes up-and-coming designers in Vancouver. The award will bring Li’s new collection to an international audience via Global Fashion Collective.

At the end of Saturday night, the venue was emptied and refilled with an invite-only guest list to present Sunny’s Bridal collection, The Divine Feminine. The show was set to the tune of female anthems like “Bad Girls” by M.I.A, while feminist messages were displayed on placards. Models came onto the runway in groups, demonstrating support for each other when they each walked towards the photo pit to make their individual runway pose.

The finale of Vancouver Fashion Week was presented by Alex S. Yu, whose collection The Tenth Synchronicity evoked notions of nostalgia with youthful sixties silhouettes, such as miniskirts and shift dresses. A stand out look for men featured pink shorts with a relaxed green button t-shirt.