Local fashion designers show that being in style doesn’t mean having to sacrifice your principles
Photos by John Bews
Michael Ziff (Twice Shy), Chloe Angus, Colleen Rogan (Ripe Clothes for Moms), Cindy Neilson (Torn), and Stephane Royer (Siddual Apparel) were some of the local designers showing their wares at Fashion High.
Buying fashionable clothing can present something of a dilemma these days. Increasing globalization means that clothing is not always made in a sustainable way by workers who are treated fairly. Fortunately, it’s getting easier all the time to be stylish with a clear conscience, as was demonstrated at BALLE BC (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies) and Fashion High’s Take It Easy fashion show at the Jupiter Café in September.
With local fashion writer Guy Babineau acting as MC and DJ Girl Cherise spinning the tunes, the event showcased the best of Vancouver’s sustainable fashion industry, with everything from T-shirts to gonch to maternity clothing, made by local designers from materials ranging from organic cotton to recycled nylon, hemp, and even paper.
Models showed off elegant tops made by Sans Soucie from recycled hosiery, classy dresses made of permanent paper by Mod to Modern, maternity wear made from hemp and recycled tablecloths by Ripe Clothes for Moms, and much more, demonstrating the imagination and innovation of Vancouver’s designers.
Fashion High, working under the umbrella of BALLE BC (ballebc.com), plans to host more fashion shows and sample sales, as well as initiating a number of other projects to encourage Vancouverites to buy locally made clothing.
Karlee wears a dyed and silkscreened top made from recycled nylon hosiery with a stretch silk neck ($265) and a cotton gingham printed yardage skirt ($155) by Sans Soucie, available at Circle Craft Co-op (1666 Johnston) and Urbanity (207 Abbott Street).
Celice models a “woods” design eggplant batwing top made of 95 percent organic cotton and five percent Lycra, created by Jen Maccormack of Twice Shy (“organic fashion for sinners everywhere”), available for $70 at Lark 8th Avenue (152 E. 8th Avenue), Raya (1395 Commercial Drive), Global Atomic (1006 Mainland), High End Clothing (1838 W. 4th Avenue), El Kartel (121A – 1025 Robson Street), and more.
With a hemp/cotton knit T-shirt ($65), hemp/cotton pants dyed with coffee ($120), and an organic cotton waistband dyed with herbs, made by Ripe Clothes for Moms, Babette shows that being pregnant doesn’t mean giving up style and comfort. (Available at Ripe’s studio, 884 E. Georgia Street.)
Bueno Style’s organic cotton underwear, modelled by Zara, is cheeky but comfortable. The $15 panties say “eat organic”.
Even paper, if it’s treated right, can be fashionable, as Jen shows with this permanent paper dress by Mod to Modern ($85 at their store, 3712 Main Street).
More photos by John Bews of this event can be found at homepage.mac.com/frozenreflections/FashionHigh/PhotoAlbum449.html
