BC Fashion Week Spring 08

BC Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2008 was a lot of fun and organizers did a good job to make sure it was a success. BCFW also did an excellent job representing the diversity of this city's designers. The event had some great sponsors who ensured everyone was happy while they waited for the shows to start like Effen Vodka and a new energy drink company called M-13. When people finally got to their seats they were further placated by cute little goodies from MAC and Linacare.

There were a few predictable trends that kept showing up throughout the week, cover-ups, sustainable fabrics, onesies and jumpsuits, and metallics. There were a few less predictable trends like sequins detailing, belly chains, impossibly short mini dresses and elastic waistbands. The shows were exciting and I had a really great time checking everything out.

Jacqueline Conoir

I had fairly high expectations for established designer Jacqueline Conoir on Wednesday. I had been into her studio only once before, but I distinctly remember being impressed. I remember seeing a huge Fall collection of long silk graphic/flower printed dresses in simple cuts and a whole slew of perfectly tailored separates for work that could be mixed for after work looks. The Spring 08 show strived to diversify the line with short dresses and bright colors for a younger clientele, but the pieces that were aimed at her core clients (business wear and work casual) were by far superior.

The show started all in white. I loved the linen, especially a long white dress, but a rockerish white jacket looked out of place. A pair of capri's with oversized back pocket flaps would be perfect for spring. The collection shifted to brown. There was a pair of super wrinkled linen pants that I thought odd, considering the show was over 40 minutes late. The brown section was not my favorite; the best thing about the brown fabric was how great it made this emerald green satin look next to it.

The best looks of the whole show were the tailored pieces. A cute off white dress with bust detail that fit perfectly, and a few high waisted skirts fit nicely and I think would translate just as well off the runway. The bright silks (emerald, hot pink, yellow) looked fresh when they were paired with neutral colored tailored pieces, especially since the neutral was not standard khaki color. I do appreciate how ambitious some of the other looks were. What looked like a jumper done in all black and belted at the waist was cute for a summer night. There were a few more dresses and a purple satin top/dress with side slits that I would wear as lingerie.

The finale started with some printed dress, and then went into satin gowns with belly chain attachments. The standard gold chain had a ribbon of matching fabric weaved through and then tied; unfortunately this would not be the last time we saw belly chains this week. I was also unimpressed by the long, thigh high slit dress with white lining that looked like something out of a Disney movie. All the dresses with white lining freaked me out a little; I don't think they would look very luxurious off the runway. The patterns for some of the details on these dresses were cool but I just didn't love it. The only dress I really liked and might consider buying instead of the millions of other silk mini dress options was an emerald dress with a draped back and a cool tie around the waist (below).

BC Fashion Week

Although this collection had a lot of cool design elements, I often wasn't fond of the execution. It was difficult to find a connecting thread that brought this huge show together; perhaps it had something to do with the video of a older women seducing a young man through multiple outfit changes that was screened at the beginning of the show. I don't think it helped that the collection didn't seem ready. There was panties sticking out the back of pants, an exposed breast, shoes with newspaper shoved in the back, wrinkles and a big safety pin on a black wrap that I assume wasn't suppose to be there. I'll definitely check out her Fall 08 collection though, I hope it contains more tailored mix and match stuff.

BC Fashion Week - Page 2

Photography by:
Kris Krug

Article by:
Cassie Dee

Your Comments

Emily Hill
06 Apr 2008, 08:42

I appreciated reading this article. A complete run down of the show and seems like an honest take. Media coverage i have read in the past of B.C fashion week was distastefully critical. I feel like this gives a good sense of the show and i am glad to have read it!

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