Saturday, April 4, 2009

Vancouver kicks it up a notch: Vancouver Fashion Week FW09

Last week, I saw Vancouver put on a spectacular Fall Winter 09 Fashion Week dazzled with great local and international designers, but more importantly interesting pieces that are current, unique and highly marketable.

For street wear, To The Nines presented a collection that was different from other street apparel brands I've seen lately. The trio of Nikolai Hobrucker, Owen Covert and Graeme Webb put Vancouver on the street wear map by combining street, skate and snow inspirations wrapped in a lot of punk and hip hop attitude. My favorite pieces include the Jenny and Treat and Rough prints. I wore the Jenny tee to the Junos After Party the next evening and was snapped by one of VitaminV Daily's photogrphers. The T-shirt was coined the Best Tee in the Haus on their Editor's Blog. Click here to see Jenny on VitaminV. For more information on To the Nines, check http://www.tothenines.ca .

Image by Jonathan Evans

Image by Yvonne Chew


For contemporary mens wear, Joseph Domingo, a designer from San Francisco, CA, displayed men's pieces that were just mandatory in every man's wardrobe. Joseph's attention to detail has been evident in the tailoring of his men's suiting, overcoats and the show itself. From the lighting, music and overall production, the show was just stellar. My favorite piece from the show was the black wool-gaberdine military inspired double breasted coat. The cut is classic, the buttoned neck collar is unique, and the piece will just never go out of style. I had the opportunity of trying this on backstage, and just couldn't let it go. For more information on Joseph Domingo, go to http://www.josephdomingo.com


Image by Jonathan Evans

In the international mens wear category, Helen Lee, from Shanghai, China displayed a euro chic men's line that can shake up the way men dress in Vancouver. Although well recognized in the international fashion scene, this is Helen's North America debut. She's been honored by Vogue as one of the Top 20 Designers in China (2007) and has work gracing magazines like Elle and Bazaar. From tailored suit jackets, satin finished trench coats and technically well constructed leather jackets, Helen covered all the bases for a guy's wardrobe. My favorite pieces include the Tux Jacket with the gray striped piping and the Leather Jacket with inner flap detailing. For more details on Helen Lee, go to http://www.insh.com.cn/ .

Images by Yvonne Chew

All in all this season's showing is probably Vancouver's best so far. Keep it up Vancouver!

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