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Carolyn Bruce, Chic Sheet Challenge, Colleen Tsoukalas, Dianna Drahanchuk, Eco Fashion Week, Fairmont Waterfront, Myriam Laroche, Robin Hemmingsen
It’s the time again – Eco Fashion Week is back for its 12th season, March 31 to April 2, due to the amazing efforts of the event’s dynamic founder and organizer Myriam Laroche and her indefatigable team.
I had the privilege of attending the press preview for this year’s event earlier this month at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel.
The event kicks off on March 31 with its signature open dialogue series, Collective Conversation Vancouver, which is a day of learning more about how far we’ve come and how far we have to go towards sustainable textile use and re-use. The day’s keynote speaker, Lululemon’s VP of global sustainability, will be followed by three panel sessions featuring fashion and retail industry leaders and stakeholders as speakers.
Of course you can also expect a host of exciting new and familiar designers showcasing their latest original designs during Designer Showcases on the evening of April 1.
And one of my favourite events, the Chic Sheets Bed Linen Challenge, will take place on the evening of March 31. Eight students from LaSalle College Vancouver have each been given four end-of-life sheets donated by Fairmont Waterfront and three weeks to resurrect them into runway fashion statements based on the theme of Canada’s 150th Anniversary. I saw some of their sketches at the preview – such talent.
The following are some of the faces I saw at this year’s press preview.
Below: Colleen Tsoukalas, writer/photographer of the blog Clothes Line Finds, co-run with her daughter Anthea. A familiar face at Vancouver fashion events. I wish I got a better shot of her shoes. Love those layers, textures, and colours.
Below: Carolyn Bruce, designer of jaw-dropping steam-punk-inspired jewellery. Feast your eyes on her work here. Of course that’s one of her artworks around her neck. She has shown her collections in many fashion shows in the Vancouver area, including VALT 2016, captured on video here – and she look so innocent!
Below: The women in red – knockouts! Left, Dianna Drahanchuk, President of SMOC (Society for the Museum of Original Costume) and award-winning fashion designer. Right, Robin Hemmingsen, President of LaSalle College Vancouver. Robin gave such a wonderful speech at this event, full of passion and dedication to EFW, her students, and her institution. So refreshing!
Below: I didn’t get his name but he is one of the hardworking men behind the scenes in Myriam’s team helping to make EFW a success. I asked him if he often gets compared to the royals. He said Yes, sigh.
Below: Designs from last year’s Chic Sheets Challenge displayed alongside the escalators at Fairmont Waterfront.
Below: Random crowd shot. Why not?
Below: Dianna again with unknown woman wearing a dynamite outfit. Eyes lock on.
That’s all. Maybe I’ll see you at Eco Fashion Week. All the events take place at Fairmont Waterfront. Tickets and more information are available at the Eco Fashion Week website here.
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