Vancouver Fashion Week SS’23 Day 4

Entin Gartini followed with a romantic collection of hand-done Indonesian style batik dyed looks. Natural elements and processes from the designer’s cultural background fused together with western style dress-making. Ruffle trims and gathers were a main construction technique. Asymmetric hems and flared sleeves were also consistent throughout the collection.

Chalanse followed with a decadent evening wear collection for women. Models donned full length taffeta gowns with puff sleeves, as well as shorter party dresses. The collection kept on theme while exploring different silhouettes. The show stopping finale look was an oversized white lace cape that chased behind the model as she walked, subtly styled with a pair of wide-legged silk trousers.

Cocó Paloma presents a collection of Mexican high fashion. As the heart of her brand Paloma Solís is a natural-born designer that entwines the artisan craftsmanship of her country with the codes of traditional evening wear. Her pieces are all at once classical, conceptual, and traditional. Skillfully constructed gowns embellished with hand embroidery and painting show the designers skill in manifesting her ideas. Her company employs over 30 families in Mexico with whom she closely collaborates with.

Branded by Molly showed a broodingly dark collection full of drama. While looks ranged from a short black dress, sleek red floor length column gown with boning, to a structured voluminous gown, Molly kept it consistent with mostly skin tight silhouettes and bondage elements like harnesses, straps, and chains. It evoked the wardrobe of a dark princess living in a dystopian future.

Ay Lelum began its presentation with a formal video acknowledgment of the unceded traditional territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations. The collection featured indigenous art printed onto textiles then cut into dresses, outerwear, and blankets styled over the models’ shoulders. Also included was high fashion jewellery made with indigenous techniques and motifs.

Concluding VFW SS23 is 2022 Nancy Mak Scholarship Award recipient Atelier COĪN with a progressive menswear collection of outdoor-inspired pieces. Bucket hats embellished with paracord, techwear with thoughtful utility pouches, plus a complex windbreaker jacket with overlapping panels, buckles, segmented hood conjured up an outlandish outdoorsman.