LOCAL  DESIGNERS

AT VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK FW21

Let's celebrate the local designers. Vancouver Fashion Week is unique because of its international outreach. The presenters at VFW FW21 came from around the globe, including designers from China, Germany, Japan, Australia, and others. However, there is a special place in my heart for those local designers who present. In the past, part of the thrill of Vancouver Fashion Week was the ability to meet with designers, especially the local ones. While we may not currently have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the local designers, their fans, and families, the digital platform lets the world experience the talents of our local designers. Here are my reviews of the local designers at Vancouver Fashion Week.

LOCAL DESIGNERS AT VFW FW21

      LA FEMME ROJE

Canada is the world's true melting pot. Canada is a country that celebrates multiculturalism and has citizens from every part of the world. Rojan Hooshyar is an Iranian Canadian fashion designer, stylist, and entrepreneur. The following comes from the about page on her brand La Femme Roje's website.

La Femme Roje was founded in 2013, through the art, design, and ideas of a young, ambitious designer and stylist, Rojan Hooshyar. Rojan started her work in the world of fashion with a successful Collection of handcrafted shoes in Tehran, Iran. She continued expanding her designs from only shoes to accessories and clothes. After moving to Vancouver, Canada in 2016, Rojan aimed to enlarge her market and production through North America and Europe. After a few years in business, we have been distributing our designs and products in Iran, Canada, California Germany, UAE, Kuwait, and soon all over the world.

LA FEMME ROJE

LOCAL DESIGNERS AT VFW FW21

      LA FEMME ROJE

A REVIEW

The fashion show's digital format allows the viewers to experience the designer's vision. Designer Rojan Hooshyar, takes us on a journey to her native Iran. The background is a sun-bleached traditional building, with desert, oasis, and a vast sky. The golden sand is the perfect ambiance for "Khatoon" the designer's collection. The inspiration for this collection are the powerful women of Iran. The designer says “These women are mysterious sparks of life and hope. They long for freedom, venture, awareness, and love, yet will not give up any pieces of their true selves to please anyone around them. If you have met one, admire her, cherish and celebrate her, and get lost in her chaotic tranquility.”

Khatoon is a collection that has a strong point of view. The clothing appears as larger than life in a maximalist way. Billowing organza sleeves pair with form-fitting flared trousers. These clothes have bold silhouettes, are extravagant, and are made for the confident woman not afraid to be noticed. Black is augmented with beige, olive green, and rich golden tapestry. Large picture hats, harem pants, and vegan leather belts tell a sophisticated fashion story of how the middle east meets and befriends the culture of the west. Separate large-scale collars are a unique element adding detail and versatility to the collection.

The vision of a strong independent woman with style, sophistication, and elegance is something to celebrate, this is the La Femme Roje woman. I am a fan of the theatrical, this collection plays to my love of the sensational. As you step out this fall to your long-awaited social event before you go, check out the fashion of La Femme Roje and make a statement.

LOCAL DESIGNERS AT VFW FW21

AY LELUM THE GOOD HOUSE OF DESIGN

The Coast Salish brand Ay Lelum The Good House of Design is no stranger to the followers of  Vancouver Fashion Week. I have seen several of their collections and am always excited to see another. The Ay Lelum Good House of Design fashion shows I have experienced are just that, an experience. Using many creative elements, the label is always able to immerse the viewer in their world of Indigenous culture. Again they have risen to the challenge presented by the pandemic and produced an exciting video, showcasing their original music and amazing fashion.

AY LELUM A REVIEW

Indeed a great fashion collection has a theme, tells a story, and fulfills a desire for something new and exciting. Ay Lelum has produced a great collection. The theme is strength and power and that is told through the story of the Supernatural Eagle. These Good family stories are carved on Spindle Whorls, tools traditionally used by women to spin and weave sacred Coast Salish wool that is woven into textiles, and these designs are featured in the garments with a blend of modern techniques and traditional art.

The collection uses practical eco-friendly fabrics with rich colors and bold prints. A large variety of dresses, ponchos, and jackets make up Ay Lelum F/W 2020. The collection presents a series of jackets that are a new and exciting addition to Ay Lelum. With exciting fashion options for both women and men, Ay Lelum is a label that produces wearable art.

Amazing evening dresses are a signature for Ay Le Lum. Whatever the special occasion from red carpet, wedding, or graduation, making a statement is what occasion dressing is all about. The blue and iridescent purple Supernatural Eagle dress is a showstopper. The full-length column dresses in various colors and patterns are an Ay Lelum classic. These strong silhouettes show power and strength.

The collection uses practical eco-friendly fabrics with rich colors and bold prints. A large variety of dresses, ponchos, and jackets make up the pieces presented in the video presentation. The collection presents a series of jackets that are a new and exciting addition to Ay Lelum. With exciting fashion options for both women and men, Ay Lelum is a label that produces wearable art.

Often fashion focuses on the latest trends. However what often makes for great fashion are those pieces that you add to your wardrobe that are "forever items". Often these pieces are inspired by art. The artistic expression of the Good Family is captured as wearable art in the fashion they create. Visit Ay Leum to add a piece of art to your wardrobe.

aylelum.com

LOCAL DESIGNERS AT VFW FW21

VANCOUVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE DESIGN STUDENTS

Vancouver Fashion Week has a tradition of supporting design schools within the community. It is these young designers that will be the local designers of the future. I am always excited to the see creativity of our future designers. Eleven graduating students showed capsule collections of up to four garments. The first was designer Cayce Vanderzalm who presented a collection of children's wear , using bold prints and a colorful palette including rainbow and metallics.

Cayce Vanderzalm

Cayce Vanderzalm presented a delightful collection of kids clothing that offers both fun silhouettes and bright color.

Nataly Kingsley

Nataly Kingsley’s collection featured four garments, highlighted with a camouflage pattern. A combination of satin, vinyl and chiffon create a juxtaposition of textures and finishes. A fresh youthful look with an edge.

Shadi Arastehmanesh

Shadi Arastehmanesh’s collection is a nod to evening dressing. The garments use luxurious fabrics and varied silhouettes.

 Brittany Cole

 Brittany Cole’s collection was inspired by horror films,  a blood red stole, torn edges and a nightgown like dress.

Celeste Sudermann

Celeste Sudermann's collection uses leather and denim in a combination with metal hardware creating an edgy vibe.

 Cristian Montoya

 Cristian Montoya is inspired by the elaborate outfits worn by Mexican Mariachi bands. His collection has tailored garments augmented with gleaming gold buttons, chain and embroidery.

 Kelley Fung

 Kelley Fung’s collection features pastel ultra feminine dresses with bold black outline. A fun collection for the young woman of today.

Jaspreet Kaur Cheema

Jaspreet Kaur Cheema shows her feminine collection that offers mix and match pieces. This collection has a sophisticated and elegant feel.

Jaya Grewal

Jaya Grewal’s collection explores a wide ranch of bold colors and interchangeable separates, the pussy bow blouse is a standout.

Rabab Loomba

Rabab Loomba has turned to nature to inspire her collection that features a flower dress and a large flounce on another dress.

Riley Simmons

Riley Simmons presented a bright cheerful collection, that features oversized tulle sleeves with an athletic vibe.

IN CONCLUSION

Vancouver Fashion Week is one of the largest fashion weeks in the world. While the last couple of seasons have seen a diminished list of designers the future is bright. Thanks to Jamal Abdourahman and his hard working team for bringing us another successful season. More write ups will follow next week .

CIAO FOR NOW J.ANDREW