VFW Celebrates 24+ Years of Runway Talent and Creative Vision

There is no feeling quite like finding your seat in the front row of a fashion show. Attending fashion week in any city is always one of my favourite experiences, but it’s such a privilege to be able to cover Canadian cities like Vancouver as a Canadian writer.

It was my first time attending Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW), and it was an incredible opportunity where I had the honour to meet so many talented creatives in the industry. I definitely plan on coming back for future events, and as I’m writing this, I still can’t get over the designs that blessed my eyes!

VFW Recap

Vancouver Fashion Week, known for presenting multicultural-based talent, hosted another fabulous event that showcased the works of different Canadian and international creative minds. Originally founded in 2001 by entrepreneur Jamal Abdourahman, VFW has become a spotlighted event in the industry, making appearances in various magazines worldwide.

From April 8th to 12th, both renowned and newly introduced designers brought their collections to life at the venue of the runway, located in David Lam Hall at the Chinese Cultural Centre in the Greater Vancouver area.

The art and creativity behind each collection varied in sustainability, expression, style, and concept. From couture, to upcycled, and even abstract, every single piece crafted by each and every designer’s series evoked a different emotion. Each collection was mesmerizing and yet so very different from one another.

FW26 day one kick-started the shows with an opening ceremony where Lisa Gellert, a fashion artist and well-loved instructor at Blanche Macdonald Centre, won the Lifetime Achievement Award—recognized for her many years of influence and expertise in the industry.

A Closer Look at FW26’s Artists

Designer Richard Wei opened day one with his collection City Lights—which embodied an after-dark city lifestyle. Wei captured the look of luminous downtown streets through reflective and sparkling textures, dark and vibrant fabrics, sharp silhouettes, and movement within the garments to represent the chaotic nightlife energy. City Lights is filled with stunning dresses ready for the red carpet and two modern, notable suits. Every single detail shone bright under the runway lights and camera flashes.

Hypnotique Sense presented ruinphilia, an edgy collection that translates the dark beauty of decay into fashion. The behind-the-scenes team described the makeup looks as “horror makeup,” with a heavy emphasis on messy black eyeshadows, creating the illusion of hollow eyes and ghostly veins surfacing under the skin. The designs mirror the look of aging, with death lurking just around the corner, adding a creepiness factor. The sustainable maison uses various techniques such as rust dyeing, scrappy textures, and charcoal treatments to achieve the cruel but dreamy-looking garments. The collection ruinphilia was almost like weaving zombie vibes into stylish clothes.

Ay Lelum, a second-generation Coast Salish design house, preserves Indigenous culture and elegance through fashion. Based in Nanaimo, British Columbia, the brand was founded by sisters Aunalee and Sophia Good, who have continued to advance family tradition and legacy. The creators also record their own songs, telling a story of preserved culture through garment design and music combined. The collections themselves feature creations from Dr. William Good, their father, W. Joel Good, their brother, of the Snuneymuxw First Nation Hereditary Chief family, and guidance and mentorship from their mother, Sandra Moorhouse-Good, founder of the pioneering Ay Ay Mut clothing line in the 1990s.

The Vancouver Community College (VCC) Fashion Design and Production graduates introduced each of their collections to VFW, bringing fresh and new design concepts to the runway. The hands-on program taught the former students each of the steps in the world of garment creation and design, setting them up for success. The designers featured are Ana Julia Silva Pereira, Ana Maria Cilima, Bita Tazikeh, Charlene Yin, Jessica Ursua, Prabhdeep Kaur, Saffron Thomas, Samentha Burboz, Sonja Ledoux, Tamara Whitford, Veronica Pleskach, and Vinnie Lee.

DUNNE CLIFF presented the collection DENDROCHRONOLOGY, which draws inspiration from breaking free of a digital modern world and breaking free of society’s norms. The designs were created with knitwear, wood, natural fabric dyes, and upholstery textiles. The models walked down the runway in their carefully hand-crafted clothes, holding accessories that included wood saws, vintage T-handle auger drills, vintage metal pipe wrenches, wooden and knit bags, and small logs, which added an eerie charm. In addition to the brand’s showcase, selected looks were given a slightly more intricate charm from skillfully made ceramics from local artist Courtney Mott.

Somaya Ahmadi presented BODIES IN QUESTION, focusing on how women’s bodies are portrayed in terms of expectations. Within the collection of darker shades came select pops of red that made a brief appearance under the flashing lights. The structures and shapes of the garments, both feminine and bold, demonstrated strength and emotional resilience. The models, ranging in various ages, symbolized how identity evolves across multiple generations, leaving room for critical thinking.

Bahare Karami exhibited a collection inspired by paintings from the late 19th and early 20th century, which reflected through florals and vintage-style femininity. Trench coats, refined tailoring, and long skirts enhanced the sophisticated Parisian look. Staying on track with the historical theme, the designs portrayed identity and tenacity. The overall collection resembled a Pinterest board filled with Claude Monet’s Water Lilies paintings, paired with cocktail-party trench-coat dresses.

Thomas Clément presented his collection Magnolia Wind, which emphasizes bright colours and fun textures to add body and movement to the garments. The designs themselves are pieces of art that mix the past and present, creating a unique look inspired by historical trends. The models wore the creations with pride as they marched down the runway in different coloured platform shoes that resembled barefeet.

Teori Kobo Oriiro showcased a beautiful collection of multicoloured and patterned designs, guided by the principles of Saori Weaving. The collection is about creative freedom and finding elegance in every imperfection—circling back to celebrating individual expression and unique identities. At the heart of the designer’s creative process is sustainability and inclusivity, making every fabric use intentional.

Another Coyote introduced their collection Indigenous Wearable Art for Everyone where tradition meets modern fashion. Each of the designs tells its own story through symbols, images, and colours. Within these stories are messages about kinship, love, guidance, and ancestral and traditional knowledge in the form of clothing. Lead designer Naomi Narcisse (traditional name Skel7áw̓s), a member of the St’át’imc and Secwépemc Nations, works on various Indigenous projects and advocacy efforts, emphasizing the importance of cultural continuity through style. With outfits for an assortment of occasions, each look had its own unique shape and pattern.

Nathee Rav debuted her collection Unchained, which explores a journey of healing from trauma and finding inner freedom through dimensional fabric compositions that reflect barriers that people build up around themselves to hide their vulnerabilities. The empowering designs revealed notable mesh and lace textiles, and carefully fitted corsets, giving the entire collection a soft but gothic touch.

CLDCMNTY presented LMFAO, a collection of fearless streetwear. With skin revealing designs, the styles invite intrigue, fascination, and unease, pushing social boundaries to the next level. Motorcycle helmets made an appearance with two-piece suit concepts and loose metal details that made jaws drop in amazement. These designs made an unforgettable impression that left the audience wanting more.

Benjamin Reitmeier debuted a collection called Someone Else, which symbolizes the ability to bring out inner characteristics in one’s self rather than becoming somebody new entirely. Starting the presentation strong with a cinematic video, the designs were made up of leathers, denims, wools, and silks to translate transparency and strength. The collection had a mysterious aura that left room to question what it would be like to become someone else if you allowed it.

Ricardo Pinto delivered Lush Nature, a collection filled with nature-inspired denim looks, crafted with recycled materials. These designs feature beaded detailing and elemental pieces that remind us that the earth’s natural resources are valuable and the environment needs to be protected at all costs. With a knowing responsibility of avoiding wastage in the fashion industry, Pinto welcomes the art of upcycling.

Lidia CHEP introduced a luxurious and feminine collection of finely crafted designs. Each garment looked fit for royalty with deliberate attention to embroidery, stitching, and lace layers. These confident silhouettes embraced the fierce beauty of a woman who knows how to silently demand a room’s attention.

Júlia Van der Leij delivered Anemoia, a collection that captured childhood nostalgia and personal memories through layered textiles of vibrant imagery. Inspired by 60s and 70s photography, blazers, cross-stitch patterns, earthy hues, vintage lamp pieces, and tiny picture frames made an appearance throughout the designs. Each of the looks resembled a wearable photo album of different lives.

BLTAM Entre presented Beautiful People, Beautiful Lives: Powered by Fashion, a collection created by Eunwoo Ji, Jane Shin, Jia Kim, and Jiyoon Lee, four emerging Korean designers. The models, who varied in age, showcased designs inspired by the idea that fashion can convey meaningful messages rather than just looking visually pleasing. The collection was constructed under the mentorship of Bomin Kim, resulting in timeless and professional craftsmanship.

Isaac Jon displayed an eccentric collection of bright, iridescent, metallic, and flashy textiles. The collection featured lots of fishnet, sequin, and scaly designs that embraced an otherworldly aesthetic where each piece made a statement. The looks represent strength and fearlessness in a more untraditional light.

Sophia Chantal Zarifopoulos, a Greek American designer initially from New York, returned to VFW and debuted her collection The Jungle Feveress. The designs portrayed feminism through the authentic, bold, ferocious, and raw characteristics of women. Each model walked down the runway with their own distinct personalities, further embodying the unapologetic approach to fashion. The collection is about embracing every flaw and wearing it with pride.

Call and Response entered the event with sharp silhouettes, statement coats, and strategic draping. The collection could be described as a rockstar’s dream wardrobe with leather and layers. The designs captured movement and structure, balancing the brand’s expressive and silently relentless emotions.

Jef Monte showcased an abstract collection called Salma, inspired by the designer’s muse, Salma Zahore. Through sustainable textiles, the designs mirror the transformation of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. With blank faces, the designs were constructed of bright colours, stimulating textures, and iconic accessories. The collection was created in collaboration with drag artist and film director Hadi Moussally. The pieces are meant to evoke childhood nostalgia while embracing the bravery to share personal art.

Manuel Juárez, a Mexican artist based in Vancouver, featured his newest collection FASTIGIUM for his label Physalia. The collection showcased gorgeous black and red designs that explored silk and lace layers. The looks radiated dark feminine energy, casting a sensual and quiet power, representing body movement.

Eduardo Ramos presented his collection MATERIA · VI, which represents shifting and forming reality over time. The collection had an urban feel with purple, black, and gold colours, and bold collar shapes. The designs mirror carbon both as a material and medium through couture, combined with monocoque carbon engineering.

Japanese fashion designer Kanon Nagayoshi introduced a collection to her brand Kanomade that reimagines the kimono in a more contemporary style. With notable floral designs, the inspiration falls back to pieces that her grandmother left behind, encouraging the concept that garments and people are all different from one another. The designs keep the kimono aesthetic while translating modern cuts into unique garments.

Bonim Kim, founder of BLUETAMBURIN, has been recognized across major fashion cities such as New York, Paris, Milan, and London—in addition to Seoul and Vancouver. She introduced her collection Commanding Elegance, blending the authoritative character of a military officer with elevated sophistication. Balancing uniforms with timeless elegance, the collection embodied a respected leader with a remarkable sense of style.

Augusta Fashion & Textiles presented a collection called 54°N, which is inspired by the apparel manufacturing history that Edmonton, Alberta, holds. The designs focus on interpreting heritage and longing, referencing traditional artists like The Flesche Bros. The unisex garments are fabricated with materials such as wool, silk, and bright colours to bring each piece to life.

Japanese brand aim/aimme, founded in a photography studio in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, has a team of creatives that each work together to capture memorable and traditional beauty. The collection brought to VFW included feminine garments that varied in shape and texture, but each embodied innovative thinking.

ALEX S. YU introduced a collection influenced by the boundless imagination of a child getting lost in a world that only exists through creative thinking. The designs transformed these early memories into fashion through natural shades, pops of accented colours, plaid, and striped patterns that have a familiar, nostalgic feel.

​Manami Suzuki, designer of the brand pratolina, started her journey by making clothing for her daughter with a deep respect for Japanese craftsmanship. The initial intentions of creating garments for her little girl were definitely seen through the courageous child models that joined the older ones on the runway. She presented her collection Waiting Light using smocking embroidery, linen, cotton, and precision to imitate filtered sunlight and the peaceful transition between the seasons. These simple designs switched up the fashion show to a chill and calm vibe.

 

Canadian–Pakistani fashion and textile designer, Malaika Hamid, shapes emotional depth and storytelling through her brand Haus of Angel. She showcased her collection The Carcass of Love, where haute couture explores themes of love and heartbreak through lace, leather, and beaded corsets. The ethereal designs symbolize how beauty can look under the surface of emotional destruction. For anyone looking to dress the way a romantic poem of tragedy sounds, or if you’re obsessed with the vampire aesthetic, this collection will resonate well with you.

Hannah Kim featured her collection California Dreamin’, inspired by the California of the 60s and 70s. The designs illustrate autumn colours, impressive knot motifs, mixed fabrics, and layers combined with a heavy influence from her Korean heritage. The collection leaves room to be wondrous and free, making the designs an escapism within fashion. Observing these designs felt like a sign to put on a record by The Mamas & The Papas, and explore even more retro clothing this upcoming fall.

Ainsley McPherson launched her collection Veil of Iron, which has a romantic-punk aesthetic through a modern lens. The unorthodox designs drew inspiration from Joan of Arc, reimagining history through armour-like creations and visions that represent the balance between strength and softness. The fantasy readers out there are going to adore these designs as they look like modernized outfits for the main character in an enchanting, medieval book.

BAHAR KIANPOUR showcased TASIAN, inspired by the echo of moments and lives that weigh on our minds, unable to be forgotten. The designs featured refined details and bloodied illusions, emphasizing the empty feeling of loss. Even fashion can communicate the hollow feeling of desolation.

JII displayed a collection that values the authentic beauty of Okinawa Island in Japan, using earthy hues and plant-based dyeing techniques from local resources, resulting in unique patterns. The collection represented different stages of life as a human being, through progress, unity, and lasting impact. The biodegradable and environmentally friendly designs value inclusivity and quality, ensuring that the garments will become a wardrobe staple. This collection was a refreshing reminder that fashion can come in minimal forms and still look like a masterpiece. 

Zhang Peng, founder of JUMPER ZHANG, is a well-recognized fashion designer within China. His collection featured graceful and luxurious feminine pieces through artisanal quality. He blends women’s strength with romantic elegance, using natural materials and artistic patterns. The tulle, the silk, and the bedazzled embellishments immediately drew everyone’s attention.

In the end, Vancouver Fashion Week hosted another amazing event of fashion design and diverse talent. Seeing all of the unique creations is an experience that never gets old, and begs the question about which collections will grace VFW next year?

FW26 Credits:

VFW Founder: Jamal Abdourahman

Vancouver Fashion Week: @vanfashionweek #VFW

Official Supporting Partners: @modo_carcoop, @bosa_foods

 

Photography Team:

Runway Photography: @arunnevader

Runway Videography (Head of Video): Nisara Ashif Somani @so_mani_media

Directors of Photography: Vinicius Burger @viniography, Khary Pollard @thedancingphotographer 

Camera Operators: James Park, Joe Nolasco

Hair Team: 

Key Hair Stylist Lead: @OdeteDasilvaHair

Hair Team: #OdeteDaSilvaHairTeam 

Official Sponsors: @goldwellca 

Makeup Team:

Key Makeup Artist Lead: @louise_kim

 

 

Author: Daria Orth