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FMA Sky 360° Presents a Myriad of the Arts

October 9th, 2008 | Published in Event Report

Words by Maria
Photos by Alex Ramon

The three muses presented themselves to FMA Sky 360° producer Andy Chu in the form of fashion, music, and art. They inspired the name and essence of what was to become one of the most anticipated and unique annual events in Vancouver. Presented as the finale to the Charity Concert Series (also produced by Andy Chu) and this year to BC Fashion Week, FMA Vancouver 2008 has grown tremendously since its inception four years ago. This year, more than 50 different artists, designers, performers and musicians joined together on one stage to show off their talents and do so for a good cause.

The show’s theme centred on travel–the runway was painted with lines to imitate the look of an actual runway platform in an airport. VOC gospel choir was one the first performers to step up onto this runway, and as they swayed from side to side in unison and clapped their hands to the beat of the music, a pixie-like individual appeared from stage left. She carried in her hand a cubed frame which she proceeded to contort her body into at the end of the runway platform. She wore a plumed headdress and a black bodysuit as she gracefully fit herself in, on, and around the cubed frame. When she finished she gracefully untangled herself and slid away in an almost dance-like swan. It was an impressive prelude for what was to come.

As MCs for the evening we had Ellie Harvie, comedienne extraordinaire, and Erin Cebula of Entertainment Tonight Canada. Their dialog, coincidently enough, was both comedic AND entertaining. They diverted our attention in between scene changes and as the night went on they became like the page headings at the beginning of a chapter. TransCanada Flight was the first of these chapters and we were musically delighted by a local band by the name of 16mm. Their catchy pop sound accompanied the models down the runway as they strutted, posed, cavorted, and moved in unison sporting fashions from the likes of Evan & Dean, Penniless, Mellinda Mae Harlingten, Amy Bastow and Carlie Wong. So much more entertaining was it to watch the models doing something different than just walk and pose, walk and pose. So much more entertaining was it to watch them flirt with the audience and smile and have fun. SO much more entertaining was it to watch one of these lovely ladies walk on stage on a pair of stilts wearing an Evan and Dean gown from their Fall/Winter ’09 collection.

The extravagance was not over, no sir, for we were then graced by the presence of Burlesque Beauties. They spun, threw their legs in the air, and busted some moves onstage demonstrating their own spin on burlesque dancing and kick-starting the second chapter, Mile High Flight. Keeping with the theme, their performance was followed by Jessica Beach, her sound very Rock n’ Roll with a cabaret feel to it and a good accompaniment to the fashions that followed. Anna Kosturova’s crocheted bikinis, Calvin Klein briefs, Pleasure State’s lingerie with Links of London Jewellery strutted down the runway.

The following chapter, Eco Green Flight, was musically charged by Esper, a local band of many dimensions headed by Colin Janz. Environmentally-friendly lines filled the stage, from Leanne McElroy’s Elroy Apparel to Angela Saxena’s Lav & Kush. Evan Biddell finished up the chapter with his eco line featuring pieces made mostly of bamboo. While his pieces went down the runway, a duo from Underground Circus performed incredible feats on a hanging intricate zigzag frame on stage left. The one who took the torch in this chapter, however, was Elena Gregusova with her tribute to sustainable fashion: “Wear the News”. Models glided down the runway to Carly Rae Jepsen’s sweet voice wearing elaborate gowns and headdresses made entirely of newspaper. Each unique in its own right, Gregusova cut, shaped, folded, and weaved what must have been hundreds of newspapers into these 10 breathtaking pieces. Someone even mentioned as they watched how they should be made with laminated newspaper so that one could wear them out. Of course, that would defeat the whole purpose of them being ecological, so we’ll just have to be satisfied with looking at them from afar.

To end off the evening, the Elite Star Flight chapter featured Jacqueline Conoir, Bustle Clothing, Wolford, Odd Molly, and Jason Matlo. As they took over the runway, so did Carmen & Camille, the powerful girl-duo known for their upbeat rock-pop sound. As the show came to a close, all the performers, models, and musicians came out on stage to perform one last song.

After all the fireworks it may be easy to forget that all this was done with a greater good in mind. Make Poverty History and The WorldLoveWorldLove Project were the ones that came out winning. FMA Sky 360° is an example to be followed, and, as the audience clapped their very last applause, there was a feeling of contentment for all that was witnessed in the 1 hour and 45 minute show and most of all anticipation for next year’s myriad of the arts.

Published in Event Report

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