Oct
04
Bhana, Spring/Summer 2010
Last post to wrap up a tumultuous BC Fashion Week with Bhana giving the final spring/summer 2010 presentation. Bhana’s designer, Trisha Rampersad, focused on crisp clean white and sky blue. She used flowing chiffons and cottons that combined with the colour palette seemed inspired by a clear sky speckled with fluffy white clouds. Her flowing chiffon gauchos were interesting but I really liked her royal blue dress with the beige paneling, kind of an elegant super hero look.
But the week’s finale spot was Brooks Brothers showing their current fall/winter men’s, women’s and children’s line for the Variety Club. Tickets for the event sold at a suggested donation of $50 each with 100% of proceeds going to the charity.
Let’s hope that next season’s shows are eventful on stage only.
- Luisa Rino, Vancouver Correspondent
Photos: Peter Jensen
Oct
03
Francis Hendy, Spring/Summer 2010
Francis Hendy came up from New York to present his men’s collection. He had some women’s wear peppered throughout but it was the men’s pieces where Hendy took some interesting risks. He should be commended for the leap he took with his styling, mixing bold coloured plaids with contrasting coloured stripes. The elbow length sleeve on some of the blazers showed adventure and whimsy. But perhaps the yellow reflector tape on the intro pieces should have stayed on the drawing board.
- Luisa Rino, Vancouver Correspondent
Photos: Peter Jensen
Collective Stone, Spring/Summer 2010
Small speed bump today when one of the shows cancelled at the last minute but newcomer Collective Stone did a fine job of filling the 5pm gap. A sweet collection of screen-printed tees, kerchief dresses, and bikinis, the kind of presentation that makes you want to head for the beach. Loved the soft jersey pareo-inspired mini-dress in black and pink.
-Luisa Rino, Vancouver Correspondent
Photos: Peter Jensen
Oct
01
Generation Next
Sun’s back and so is the next round of shows. Fashion must be in the Vancouver air this week. A handful of us got to start the day with a chat via Skype with Isaac Mizrahi this morning at the Liz Claiborne boutique in West Van. Kind of a nice segue from fashion veteran to fashion newbies since today’s highlight was the Generation Next show. Three finalists, all new designers (less than three years old), get a chance to compete for top marks. Although stylistically distinct, two of the three placed an emphasis on sustainability. A recurring theme with west coast designers but what was interesting was Pure Magnolia’s efforts to do it in the realm of bridal. Her organza-draped dress with bejeweled bodice definitely has the chops to compete. Flora & Fauna put together a sweet collection of snug fitting dresses and hooded boleros, cozy like your favourite track suit, foxy like a cocktail dress. But standout and competition winner was Ella Peru who presented a consistent and tight collection of minis and short jumpers in corals, floral/paisley, and black and white African print cottons.
Red Jade
Margarita Angelatos, last year’s GenNext winner, showed a well-edited and cohesive collection of summer whites and basic black. Wispy sheer tops paired with high-waisted skirts and pants that gather at the cuff. Loved the halter maxi dress in her gold and black swirl print and the light and breezy black mini dress with sleeves that billowed into a cape.
Marlene Grotrian
Dresses reigned supreme in Grotrian’s spring/summer collection: shirt dresses, tube dresses, 50s cinched waist dresses with flounces cascading down the front placket. Not to mention the black strapless baby doll mini she brought out mid-way and the black and white floral print bustier gown she closed the show with.
More homegrown talent to come, looking forward to Wanny Tang, as well as a special off-schedule treat at The Bay Friday noon. Toronto designer Kimberley Newport-Mimran of Pink Tartan presents her fall/winter pieces.
-Luisa Rino, Vancouver Correspondent
Runway photography: Peter Jensen
Jacqueline Conoir, Spring/Summer 2010
Cuevas continues to deliver customer favourites all the while reinventing her signature feel. She playfully paired her first group of heather grey suiting separates with a range of Edie Sedgwick print tees in a variety of wide and loose shapes: from boat necks to hooded tees to cowl neck versions.
Followed by a rocker girl inspired group of printed and solid grey dresses. Gone is the fully body-con mini dress we are wearing for fall. Spring’s version is all business on the bottom and party on top with pencil tight mini skirts and flowing and loose top halves.
Her lilac group was a colour stand out. Shimmery satin hot pants, paint splashed chiffon tops and shrugs with washed-out pink underpinnings stood along side feminine and timeless 40s-inspired silhouettes: pencil skirts with ruffled trim, cinched waists and softer shoulders.
And for the classic Conoir finale a series of billowing and swirling chiffon maxi dresses. Rich earth tones of clay brown, deep turquoise, leaf green, washed mauves, and ochre yellow floated down the runway. The surprise came when Cuevas sent out the same cuts in a champagne wedding white series. Spring was definitely in the air; well, until we trundled out to the rainy streets of Chinatown.
-Luisa Rino, Vancouver Correspondent
Runway images PeterBo.com Photography
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