7 Hot Local Designers at Vancouver Fashion Week 2015

Our picks for seven local designers to check out at Vancouver Fashion Week 2015

Hometown favourites will be hitting the runway at Vancouver Fashion Week

With 25 consecutive seasons under its belt, Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) returns with a bang this fall. Nearly 100 designers from around the world are showcasing their Spring/Summer 2016 collections and among the mix is our own batch of amazing local talent. This is definitely one of the largest – and strongest – groups of Vancouver-based designers to ever show at fashion week.

Click through for seven Vancouver designers you’ll want to check out.

Evan Clayton

Evan Clayton is one of Vancouver’s rising stars. Since 2013, he’s been playfully pushing boundaries with his designs: see-through corsets, couture cage dresses, and hand-painted thongs with Miley Cyrus-esque mouths. You might not be able wear his pieces straight off the runway, but there’s never a dull moment at an Evan Clayton show.

Alex S Yu

Alex S Yu’s designs are born from a world of wanderlust and whimsy, with previous collections drawing inspiration from Dr. Seuss and Mean Girls. For Spring 2016, Yu pays homage to renowned Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar Wai’s highly stylized film, Chungking Express. Expect to see the characters’ complicated emotions translated into social media emojis and expiration date labels.

Sara Armstrong

Sara Armstrong’s work often resembles art worn on the body rather than clothing that simply covers it. So it’s no surprise to learn that the roots of this young designer’s architectural yet organic pieces originate from her formal training in sculpture. Her fifth collection, Catalysis, explores the organic breakdown through fabric finishes and solar print.

Sofia

Chilean-born Sofia Méndez Schenone returns to Vancouver Fashion Week for the second year in a row. Her wearable pieces often feature ladylike elements of design that make daywear that much more interesting. For Spring 2016, Sofia keeps it simple with a blue, white, red and black colour palette. And of course, she throws in some fun polka dots, too.

aniimiism

Aniimiism is right on trend with the ’70s look – and his fall’s flared pants and patterned fabrics extend well into next season. Designer Cassie Dee is set to present a sun-soaked print and texture-driven collection this season. Keep an eye out for the show-stopping watercolour burnout chiffon.

Connally McDougall

VFW favourite Connally McDougall returns to the runway with OPTOBOTANICA, featuring a kaleidoscope of printed silks, intricate beading and rich textures. The inspiration? Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits. Psst… this show will be styled with couture botanical headdresses. You won’t want to miss its flower power.

Atelier Grandi

Known for her perfectly fitted dresses, self-taught dressmaker Grandy C. often evokes meaningful historical moments in her Atelier Grandi collections. It’s all about la belle époque this spring. Serpentine channels a deep seduction, with hand-embroidered details, sleek silhouettes and – like the captivating art nouveau works – this collection is gilded in gold.