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Love To Ukraine At Vancouver Fashion Week S/S’25
Love To Ukraine At Vancouver Fashion Week S/S’25
Day 2 of Vancouver Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2025 presented an exhilarating collection of designs from international talents. This year, we proudly invited and celebrated a vibrant group of emerging designers whose work pushed creative boundaries and captivated audiences. Each collection brought fresh perspectives, offering unique innovations that inspired both the local audience and the global fashion industry. The energy and joy embedded in these designs radiated throughout the event, making it a celebration of creativity and a beacon of inspiration for fellow designers.
Many collections showcased not only groundbreaking designs, but also underscored a commitment to using fashion as a medium to challenge social and ecological issues through innovative concepts and eco-conscious practices. The designers demonstrated their mission to integrate inventive approaches while embracing their mission, revealing a profound depth of creativity and artistic expression. These new talents continue to shape the future of fashion, highlighting a significant shift in the industry’s landscape, and setting a precedent for future design with purpose.
The Love To Ukraine Collection: A Heartfelt Tribute to Ukrainian Tradition with a Contemporary Twist At Vancouver Fashion Week, Love to Ukraine returned to the runway for the second time this year, with an enchanting collection that seamlessly blended tradition with modernity. Founded by Ukrainian-Canadian designer Tetyana Golota, Love to Ukraine pays homage to the rich culture and history of Ukraine, and for the SS25 collection, Golota was joined by three additional Ukrainian designers—Tanya Znak, Julia Sisman, and Maria Shamedko—each a master in traditional and contemporary design and embroidery.
Inspired by history, architecture, and the beauty of nature, these designers wove their unique styles into a cohesive collection that honored both the past and the present. Their runway show was further elevated by a delightful performance from The Dovbush Dancers, a local Ukrainian dance troupe, adding an extra layer of cultural richness to the presentation.
The collection reflected a deep connection to the cycles of nature, celebrating the changing seasons while expressing a heartfelt devotion to their homeland. The high-quality fabrics, vibrant color palettes, and delicate floral motifs paid tribute to traditional Ukrainian dress, while modern influences emerged through innovative layering and dynamic silhouettes. The fusion of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design created a timeless and elegant collection. Bold yet airy, each piece captured the lightness of a breezy summer day, with tassels adding movement and vitality. The meticulous embroidery by Shamedko, rich with floral imagery and painterly details, highlighted the intricate artistry behind each garment. From the intricate craftsmanship to the thoughtful design, Love to Ukraine established itself as a leading cultural heritage brand, showcasing the modern potential of historical traditions with a fresh, forward-thinking perspective.
The Cut Design Academy Collection: Showcasing Emerging Talent and Bold Dreams at Vancouver Fashion Week
At Vancouver Fashion Week, the Cut Design Academy made a striking debut with a student collection that left a real impression. As one of Canada’s top fashion and design schools, the academy presented a carefully curated collection that highlighted the talent and creativity of its students. Each piece was the result of the rigorous training provided by the academy’s Fashion Design program, which hones technical skills while nurturing innovative thinking, preparing students for successful careers in the fashion industry. The program offers comprehensive classes in garment construction, visual design, supply chain and business management, and fashion media and marketing, ensuring that students are well-equipped to step into the world of fashion as leading designers. The student collections showcased at Vancouver Fashion Week were a testament to this exceptional training, proving that these emerging designers are ready to take on the professional world with confidence.
Featuring the work of student designers Cindy Sunshine, Helena Jiang, Katharine Teel, and Laura Smith, the collection stood out for its maturity and craftsmanship, rivaling that of veteran designers. Despite being some of the youngest designers on the runway, their work demonstrated a mastery of technique and design that was both innovative and refined. The diversity and originality of each piece reflected the technical prowess they’ve acquired throughout their intensive two-year program, while their attention to detail showcased an undeniable passion and dedication to their craft. Each designer’s work offered a glimpse into their bright futures, hinting at the promising collections they will bring to life as accomplished artists. The Cut Design Academy Collection at Vancouver Fashion Week was a powerful showcase of emerging talent, proving that these students are not just learning—they are shaping the future of fashion.
SHOW II
The STAYPOSITIVE Collection: A Bold Revolution of Style and Positivity
At Vancouver Fashion Week, STAYPOSITIVE unveiled a powerful collection that elevated the punk aesthetic to new, daring heights. Created by Osvaldo Angeles, each piece was handmade, with all the graphics printed by Angeles himself. True to its punk roots and the ideology of “Positive Mental Attitude,” this collection radiated rebellious energy and instantly captivated the crowd. Drawing from a diverse range of artists, both from Mexico and beyond, the intricate graphics were more than just eye-catching embellishments—they were a visual revolution. The layers of imagery and bold messaging invited the viewer to delve deeper, revealing powerful words and striking illustrations that challenged the status quo.
This collection is a tribute to punk in all its forms—artistic, cultural, and musical. It pulls influences from hardcore punk, street punk, and techno punk, blending them into a visceral visual and auditory experience. STAYPOSITIVE harnesses the creativity of multiple visionaries to transform the abstract into something tangible, merging the spirit of 2000s fashion with a distinctly modern message. Each garment was provocative, paired with bold makeup and accessories that amplified its impact.
The contrast between the graphics and the garments themselves was striking, turning every piece into a statement of defiance. When worn, Angeles’ meticulously crafted pieces become more than clothing—they become symbols of bravery and rebellion. At its core, STAYPOSITIVE is about resistance and resilience, echoing the ethos that true freedom can only be achieved through defiance.
The Mestizo LA Collection: Celebrating the Harmony of East and West
At Vancouver Fashion Week, The Mestizo LA captivated the audience with a collection that beautifully bridged the cultural divide between East and West. Co-founded by Gil Gabriel Gonzales, the brand draws deeply from his mixed heritage, rooted in both Manila, Philippines, and Los Angeles, California. Through a commitment to slow fashion and inclusivity, The Mestizo LA honors family lineage, blending Filipino traditions with Western influences.
This collection offered a stunning exploration of cultural duality, seamlessly merging the vibrant energy of Manila with the laid-back elegance of Los Angeles. Each piece embodied the brand’s name, Mestizo, which refers to those of mixed ancestry, with a modern fusion of Filipino traditional garments and Western fashion sensibilities. The result was a sophisticated blend of old and new, east and west.
The collection featured contemporary Western base pieces adorned with intricate Filipino-style embroidery, which added depth and ornamentation to the outer layers. The designs felt like a celebration of family gatherings, where love and tradition come together. Signature details, like the tall, rounded shoulder sleeves of the Filipiniana bolero, exuded grace and structure, perfect for formal occasions. Meanwhile, the men’s Barong Tagalog, a nod to late 19th-century Philippines, was reimagined with a modern twist, while the bright color palette evoked the sunny coastlines of Los Angeles. The Mestizo LA masterfully exemplifies how fashion can honor multiple cultural influences, creating a rich narrative that celebrates heritage and identity through design.
The Narvan Collection: A Refined Expression of Duality Through Simple Elegance
At Vancouver Fashion Week, Narvan unveiled its Spring/Summer 2025 collection, Luminara, a stunning exploration of minimalism paired with refined elegance. This collection celebrated effortless femininity, blending sleek silhouettes with flattering details, all set against a timeless neutral color palette. The designs were both structured and fluid, creating an ethereal sense of weightlessness and tranquility. Luminara played with the interplay of light and shadow, captivating the audience with subtle contrasts of bright and dark tones. The theme of duality was central to the collection, with black and white serving as symbols of boldness and restraint, tradition and modernity. This masterful use of contrasts reflected the brand’s core philosophy: the intersection of aesthetic simplicity with introspective sophistication.
In line with Narvan’s commitment to sustainability, the collection incorporated natural materials and responsible manufacturing processes. Narvan’s signature minimalist approach not only aligns with this ethos but also promotes a capsule wardrobe philosophy—timeless, enduring pieces designed to withstand fleeting trends and material excess. Each garment was thoughtfully crafted to prioritize both comfort and style, resulting in innovative statement pieces that are as functional as they are beautiful.
For founder and designer Marjan Kargar, clothing is more than just fabric—it becomes part of one’s personal narrative, holding memories of life’s significant moments. Narvan makes elevated luxury accessible to every woman, blending the beauty of everyday life with timeless, heirloom-quality designs.
SHOW III
The Poppy Wang Collection: A Bold Renaissance of the Qipao, Envisioning a New Future for Women
At Vancouver Fashion Week, Poppy Wang made a breathtaking debut with a collection that reimagined the traditional Chinese qipao for the modern woman. Founded in Shanghai in 2021, Wang’s eponymous brand breathes new life into the iconic garment, blending Eastern and Western influences in a groundbreaking fusion. This collection marked the culmination of Wang’s years of creative mastery, as she expertly combined traditional Chinese embroidery, buttoning techniques, and brocade fabrics with contemporary Western dress tailoring. For Wang, fashion is not just about aesthetics; it’s a bridge between the past and the present, bringing cherished traditions into a bold, imaginative future.
Titled Inheritress, the collection was a powerful celebration of female empowerment, honoring the strength and resilience of women through the symbolism of the Chinese cultural heritage velvet flower. It told a poignant story of women’s rights in China—one long shaped by patriarchal oppression, discrimination, and the systemic denial of power. Yet, the collection also acknowledged the rising prominence of women as leaders and successors, blending beauty with strength.
The designs featured elegant evening-wear dresses that embodied both gentleness and fearlessness. Crafted with a masterful blend of French embroidery, Italian hand-painted couture fabrics, and Chinese qipao techniques, each piece showcased Wang’s deep understanding of diverse craftsmanship traditions. The result was a collection that radiated beauty, refined elegance, and a sensuous celebration of womanhood—an empowering representation of female self-expression and strength. Poppy Wang’s collection was a trailblazing tribute to the qipao’s rich history, reinterpreted for a new generation of women ready to define their own futures.
The 303 Collection: Reviving Waste into Avant-Garde Fashion
At Vancouver Fashion Week, 303 unveiled a striking collection that embodied the principles of circular fashion, turning discarded materials into bold, avant-garde statements. This collection highlighted the environmental issues plaguing the apparel industry while showcasing fashion as a powerful solution to wasteful manufacturing processes. Created by Saimi, 303 was born from a desire to confront the pressing problem of textile waste. The collection resurrected forgotten scraps, transforming what others deemed “unnecessary” into valued pieces of art.
Each outfit was a celebration of irregular shapes, mismatched colors, and textures, embracing the beauty in imperfection. Saimi’s creative vision transformed lifeless excess into thoughtful, wearable designs, with each piece made from unique, repurposed scraps sourced from various places. No two garments were alike, making each one a distinctive testament to sustainability and creativity.
Saimi’s collection demonstrated her innovative approach to fashion, using her diverse skill set to tackle an important cause. Despite the elaborate transformations, the original scraps remained visible, underscoring transparency in the production process and honoring the origins of the materials. Saimi’s playful use of neon paint and bold fabrics injected energy and joy into the collection, bringing each piece to life. The meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design turned each garment and accessory into a vibrant work of art. The 303 collection left a powerful impression, with Saimi’s philosophy of sustainability and creativity serving as an inspiration to both designers and fashion consumers alike.
The OUTLAWS Collection: Pioneering High-Street Fashion with Authenticity and Self-Expression
At Vancouver Fashion Week, OUTLAWS made a bold debut with their Spring/Summer 2025 collection, RUN FOR THE HILLS. This collection told a story not through words, but through meticulously crafted outfits that embodied the rebellious spirit of the Old West. OUTLAWS challenged societal norms and celebrated the journey to self-discovery, pushing the boundaries of high-street fashion. Classic utilitarian clothing was reimagined into modern, stylish silhouettes that maintained an air of rugged individuality. All pieces were handmade in-house, showcasing exceptional attention to detail and versatile tailoring suited for any wearer.
As one of Vancouver’s rising pioneers in high-street fashion, OUTLAWS thrives on originality and authenticity. Founders and brothers Miguel and Francis Estilong designed this collection with a deep focus on self-identity. Inspired by childhood memories, the garments evoke a sense of nostalgia and freedom, capturing the playful, carefree spirit of youth. The collection embraces comfort and movement, with loose yet structured pieces that allow for both flexibility and style. Fun graphic details and playful silhouettes further enhanced the lightheartedness of the designs.
RUN FOR THE HILLS celebrated the inner child within all of us, advocating for fashion that is carefree, yet thoughtful. OUTLAWS’ debut collection not only made a statement in fashion but also encouraged breaking free from conformity, championing self-expression and authenticity.
