ECO FASHION WEEK
And thats a wrap for the 10th season of Eco Fashion Week. As per usual, creative minds and talents had gathered together to present yet another amazing show to the world of fashion, where there is a challenge of re-using old garments and textiles, again and again.
The 10th season of Eco Fashion Week was involved with various patterns, colours, layers, and cultural inspiration.
New and familiar faces. We all gathered together to support, and appreciate the beauty, and the efforts of local designers, and designers from around the glob.
I had my outfits planned very last minute. I had a pleasure of showing off the beauty of Carolyn Bruce's statement pieces ( eco luxury accessory designer ) along with my styling expertise at EFW.
If you are familiar with Carolyn Bruce's designs, you in fact know of her funky, and bold statement pieces. You might think of her pieces as them being " too-much " for an everyday wear, or a formal event.
Guess what?! YOU ARE WRONG. I am responsible to educate and encourage you to wear an outfit which you have always thought it would look good on somebody else rather than yourself!
- Have your pen and paper ready and start writing! -
The results were phenomenal! I made up my mind. I wore my Metallic Gold pants which I purchased from American Apparel. Daring. eh?! ( Thats the whole point. ) Next, I wore a beautiful necklace with shades of silver and gold from Carolyn Bruce Designs. I already had a lot going on with my outfit so I decided to wear a very simple, and light makeup. I finished my outfit with my two favourite matching pieces. My all time favourite studded pumps from Le Chateau, and my handbag from Winners!
I was very pleased with the final results. My outfit was Bold, edgy, not too much, pleasing to the eyes, and elegant. overall a good contrast!
REMINDER: Any white or light colour pieces you decide to style yourself with, they will give life to your body and face. How do I know? Black and white are good contrasts of one another. Right?
The second outfit was an interesting one. Do you see the trick? LET ME EXPLAIN! You don't need to purchase any sorts of jewelries for your everyday look!
YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO LAYER UP YOUR NECKLACES OR ACCESSORIES TOGETHER.
PHOTO BY BIJAN DHARAS
I doubled the trouble. If you had read my previous article about EFW, you should recognize the eco-friendly H&M kimono dress (conscious collection) in the shot above, which was on display on walking-models at Fairmont Waterfront last year! As you can see, there is a huge "V" cut on the front of this dress. I wanted for this cut to be covered. So I decided to wear two individual necklaces together, again, from Carolyn Bruce Designs. Both necklaces are adjustable and come with matching earrings. Funny, but since I can wear two pieces of earnings on each ear, I wore all the matching earrings together. I only felt their heaviness for 10 minutes, and their lightness for 6 hours.
DETAILS OF THE LOOK:
DRESS FROM H&M
JEWELY FROM CAROLYN BRUCE DESIGNS
SHOES FROM EVERNEW
CLUTCH FROM NINEWEST
CHIC SHEETS
Eight designers came together to create Balmaine 70's inspired designs from old and used bed sheets, sourced from Fairmont Waterfront Hotel. The results were phenomenal!
Left to Right: Designers Kim Cathers, Conally McDougall, Young Oak, Jules Francisco, Rachelle Love, Sarah Couture, Evan Clayton, and Evan Ducharme.
DESIGNERS
CAROLYN BRUCE
Carolyn Bruce Desings is a Vancouver based jewelry designer who remakes outstanding pieces of accessories by the old, recycled and used, or left behind jewels, and semi-precious beads, and various small accessory pieces.
MISHEL BOUILLE
At the event, Models Own showcased its mini collection line called Control. This line is inspiring and encouraging women to let go of life's worries and difficulties. This collection is versatile and urban. There is a favourite piece for every taste. Mishel Bouille's designs are promoting a slow fashion movement through eliminating and reducing fabric waste.
TETYANA GOLOTA
2015 Heart & Sole award winner and designer, showcased a collection inspired by her homeland, Ukraine.
We love this vibrant and colourful collection. We believe that every individual can pull of any kind of colour they'd like, and of course with a proper style guid.
ELLEN LEGRO
Ellegro designs is an inspiration of nature, and the urban lifestyle. Ellen's inspiration is based on her experience growing up enjoying, and having an active lifestyle, such as hiking and skiing around the mountains. She has used eco-friendly materials such a leather, faux leather, and indigo dude silk in her pieces.
THRIFT STYLE
JASON PILLAY
Jason Pillay, a creative talent and individual who believes in empowerment, and " You can pull off anything you were! " . We absolutely fell in love with his colourful 70's inspired collection.
NATHALIE REES
Nathalie has been working in the Apparel industry for 9 years. She also has worked in the PR industry. She is a Style Expert and a true savvy at heart. The collection she has styled is versatile, feminine, and casual. Stunningly styled outfits with a touch of blue! You can recognize this from the denim jackets and jeans, to the dresses and prints that are used in this colour, in her styled outfits. There is an outfit for every taste.
NADIA ALBANO
Aside of her vintage looking, and beautifuly styled collection, braids and flower crowns were absolutely one of our favourite highlights of each of her outfits. I would suggest this collection to anyone who is afraid of adding some colour to her "all black" wardrobe.
81 LBS CHALLENGE
This season again, Eco Fashion Week had partnered with Value Village, and students of Visual College of Art and Design (VCAD) to refashion and revamp 81 pounds of garments and textiles which by the end of each year, will be thrown away by the average North Americans. This challenge is simply presenting how these garments and textiles can be re-used, recycled, re-designed, and restyled!
Here are some of our favourite looks of the challenge.
DESIGNERS
TILDART
Matilda Janosi is a London based fashion designer who her new collection (VeloLux) which was presented at EFW was all from recycled bicycle inner tubes, combined with natural latex, wool, and Swarovski crystals.
ABEL WEAR
Abel Wear is an eco-friendly, and a slow fashion brand which its purpose is fighting poverty with fashion for community development. All their garments are made of digital textiles, and the art of photography.
LAUDAE
What will you do with your wedding dress after you use it for only a couple of hours on your special day? Will you sell it? Or will you wait to pass your beautiful dress to someone who is very dear to you?
LAUDAE is an eco-friendly wedding brand which re-uses and re-designes wedding gowns from wedding gowns that have been left alone by their original owners. What interests me about their work is that not only you can wear these beautiful gowns to your wedding, you can also wear them to any special events.
ETHIK
Ethik BGC is a social business oriented organization, that has been supporting ethical fashion and the eco and socially responsible designers who are involved with multiple projects. Ethic BGC presented an urban, bold, and colourful collection at EFW. Each of the accessories, and clothing have been made and designed by indigenous people inhabiting the Guajira Peninsula located in the northeastern part of Columbia.
DAHLIA DRIVE
Dahlia Drive fabricates garments through curtain sheers and slips. This line of collection is inspired by traditional Haida Indian legends.
SANSKAR
Sonam DubalSanskar started his fashion design journey while after graduating as a fashion designer in 1990 in New Delhi, India. Through out his collection , Sonar is presenting a redefinition of traditional Indian silhouettes and textiles.
PROPHETIK
Jeff Garner’s “Ruins & Renaissance” was showcased at the 10th season of EFW .PROPHETIK's goal is o illuminate the negative effects of synthetic fabrics and petro-chemical dyes in your everyday wear, and to provide solutions for designing plant based dyes and fabrics.
We are always a fond of this event, the individuals whom gather around to support our planet, and our community for the better. We are patiently waiting for the upcoming season of Eco Fashion Week.
RUNWAY PHOTOS BY PETER JENSEN
MEDIA WALL PHOTOS BY GIANLUCA CESCON