Vancouver Fashion

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Doll Me Up Fashion Show is Too Cool for School

July 10th, 2008 | Published in Event Report

Words and photos by Maria Hernandez.

Class 120 of the John Casablancas fashion business and creative arts diploma program celebrated their graduation with an amazing show last Friday at the Roundhouse Community Centre. Not only did they present an array of trendy pieces from local designers and shops around town (the likes of Nouvelle Nouvelle, one of a few, and Dace), they also raised money for the Covenant House Vancouver. A determined bunch, class 120 was able to raise additional money for the charity through bake sales and small fund raising events leading up to the show date, something that is evidently reserved for the most go-getter classes. Good Karma is definitely coming their way.

Enough with all the praise for a moment and on to the fashions sported by the lovely models. The whole theme of the show had a childhood nostalgia feeling to it, so a lot of the outfits exuded a childishly sweet appeal with a girlish (and boyish) charm. Babydolls, short-shorts, jumpsuits, mini dresses, suspenders, and empire waists galore were topped off with adorable bows perched on top of curly hairstyles. How very Shirley Temple. And just like the cutey-patootey Miss Temple, hemlines were high above the knee. A very sweet look on little girls is transformed into a flirty, fun, and sexy look on their grown up version. All the looks presented are very popular this summer, and with the hot weather outside, who wouldn’t love an airy short tunic with some nice linen shorts underneath? Leaves your legs free to do some major showing-off.

A very nice extra was to be able to see some designs by the students themselves. Five students in the class managed to find time and energy to put together a small collection of their own to present at the show, even though the John Casablancas fashion program does not require them to do so. I especially enjoyed Antonella Pica’s sole piece for her Annepi line. The vibrant colour and construction of her spaghetti-strap puff dress were brilliant, making me want to step onto the catwalk right then and there and take a closer look. Another piece that I developed a crush on for its girly simplicity was a bitsy outfit from Little Miss Mac by Kim MacFarlane. Short but sweet, the flower pattern on the blouse paired with the high-waisted skirt were just darling.

Another highlight was Brian Liu’s Tyte Lids collection. He is a Vancouver based designer with a knack for creating some pretty rad art on trucker hats and t-shirts, as well as canvases, walls, shoes, and many other types of surfaces. He presented a collection of his hats and t-shirts, which mingled together pleasingly in both style and colour. The hat collection presented was definitely couture material: headgear intricately dressed with bows, angular flowers, pompoms, and fabric pieces. Like nothing I’d seen before so I was quite pleased to pick myself up a more subdued version at the silent auction.

Ah, yes. A silent auction for the buyin’, fifty-fifty draw for the gamblin’, mini-cupcakes for the eatin’, chai tea and bar for the drinkin’, a fine display of local summer fashions for the lookin’… what more could I ask for on a nice summer evening? Huzzah to class 120 and their marvelous show! Make sure to check out the next round of John Casablancas students as they try their hand at producing their own fashion show on August 7th.

Published in Event Report

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