On March 18, Vancouver Fashion Week (“VFW”) will host its semi-annual week-long celebration of fashion, creativity, and multiculturalism.  This fall/winter 2014 season, 80 designers from 30 countries will display their collections to more than 20,000 industry insiders, socialites, celebrities, media, and buyers. 

This season’s designers include:

Argentinian designer Gabriel Lage: Gabriel launched his career in 1990 using haute couture as the foundation of his work. Heavily influenced by his Spanish tailor father and grandfather, his pieces show a distinct European style, while his dress and accessories1 collections use a combination of fun and fresh fabrics and materials, such as muslin, silk, embroidery, paints, colors, and pearls. 

Peruvian designer Noe Bernacelli: Noe has redefined the term haute couture in his native country.  His designs not only reflect versatility, but also his signature trademarks of femininity and elegance.  From ornately constructed dresses to clean and sophisticated blazers and skirts, Noe will be dazzling onlookers with his ready-to-wear, haute couture, and bridal collections.

South Korean Designer Soojin Lee: Prior to launching her collection in 2010, Soojin worked for famous fashion brands such as Alexander McQueen and Hussein Chalayan. To make her collection unique, Soojin combines the realms of architecture and fashion into a symbiotic mix of contrasting colors, flower details, embroidery, tunic, jewels, and even enamel and glass. Her modern eye can be seen in her simple, yet sophisticated silhouettes, prints, and intricate embroidery.

Vancouver-based designer Stephanie Hung of Nina Tan: Stephanie named her fashion house after her two best friends and muses - Nina and Tanya.  Made for the confident and feminine woman, the line carries the hip, urban, and girly trends every busy city girl longs to embrace.  With strict attention to detail on cutting and fitting her pieces, Stephanie is able to accentuate the feminine lines of a women’s body—making pieces that both look good and feel good.   Her collections include women’s ready-to-wear, cocktail, and evening dresses. 

London-based designers Nadia and Zehra Mustafa of Nadia + Zehra: Known for their bold designs, these twins graduated from Polimoda Fashion School in Florence in 2013.  For their final designs in school, they created distinctive pieces that both complimented and contrasted one another.  Drawing inspiration from their respective heritages, they use costume elements from Italy and Turkey to bring their own distinct personalities into their collections.

Peruvian designer Evolét- by Jercy Gutierrez: Jercy began his career on the business side of fashion, attendingthe School of Commerce L’ESCE Paris, where he studied luxury commerce.  He then served as the commercial director of the Barbara Bui Group and later became the commercial buyer for KABURI Boutiques, gaining exposure to brands like Prada, Dior and YSL. He discovered his passion for the creative side of fashion thanks to his role as a member of the commercial directors of Prada.  In 2009, he returned to Peru to launch his own brand, Evolét, which reflects a refined and elegant style.

Other designers from Brazil, Japan, Portugal, Denmark, United Kingdom, Australia, and Zanzibar will also be showing their collections. 

Vancouver Fashion Week

Vancouver Fashion Week is a bi-annual event that will take place at the Chinese Cultural Center at 50 East Pender in Vancouver.  With 80 international designers and more than 20,000 attendees, VFW brings designers, buyers, and media together to celebrate creativity and new trends in fashion. 

VFW’s media partners include: BC Living, NICHE Magazine, and L’Officiel Ukraine.  VFW’s exclusive Ukrainian partner, L’Offciel will provide live coverage from the runway.  As a part of the L’Officiel family, L’Officiel Ukraine features opulent topics such as personalities, fashion, art, and lifestyle while elevating the image of Ukraine on the international stage.  

Other sponsors include Hasselblad, Fashion Seoul, Shopstyle Canada, and many more.  For more information, please visit VanFashionWeek.com.  Like us on Facebook.com and join the conversation on Twitter.com.  

Vancouver Fashion Week
Vancouver Fashion Week