Diversity in culture, function, and trends define 2023 VCC fashion grad show
It can be a thrilling experience to see your work at the centre of a runway show, and eight Vancouver Community College (VCC) Fashion students captivated this year's Vancouver Fashion Week guests with their thought-provoking grad collections on Friday, April 14 at the Chinese Cultural Centre.
As part of their Fashion Design and Production program, second-year students get to present their collection on the runway at Vancouver Fashion Week.
“We are so proud of our students! Our industry panel, who sit front row, think of our students as new industry members and their standards are high. Yet, they were so impressed with the quality of the collections they saw. I've never had an industry panel gush so much,” says Andrea Korens, program coordinator, fashion.
Designers from this year's cohort drew inspiration from their unique heritage, such as the energy and tenacity of African women, and a fusion between casual Western and traditional Indian wear. Others explored modern and unconventional concepts such as post-pandemic turmoil or modular fashion, in which garments can be deconstructed and reconstructed into new functionality. Mylene Dayrit-Kubicek explored special occasion destination wear.
"My inspiration was New York streetwear, and I wanted to create a collection that empowered women in their own bodies and sexuality," says VCC Fashion design graduate Tia Rose.
Fellow graduate Allison Dunne portrayed the encroaching influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the production of art through hand-knit pieces. Her collection sends a strong message while expressing the mourning and loss of humanity's imaginative role. Watch her interview with CTV News.
Read more about all eight students and the creative inspiration behind their work.
Dare to be different. Express yourself through fashion. Learn more about the program in an online information session.