4 Fall/Winter Trends Spotted at Vancouver Fashion Week

Vancouver Fashion Week gave us all kinds of fall/winter inspiration, and while it seems a long ways away right now (hello, Spring...finally!), it's always exciting to see a sneak peek of what to expect for the future season. Keep reading to see what my favourite looks and trends were from VFW this past week.

Sheer Dresses

These have been trending for quite a long time now, and while I'm personally getting a little tired of seeing celebrities in crystal encrusted sheer body-hugging dresses, this one from Wilbur was something unique. I appreciated that the sheerness was offset by having a more flowing skirt (rather than the aforementioned skin tight variety).The pop of colour underneath was a nice touch too, especially in a beautiful emerald green.

Jacquard Fabric

Jacquards in matching sets were front and centre at KEEM's runway show. This is a texture and print I've always loved for fall/winter - I think it has a a very regal feel and always looks fantastic, especially for winter parties. Jacquard is also usually associated with a more structured fit, making them great statement pieces.

Here's a big plus: KEEM is also an eco-friendly brand! The designs are created in natural fibres, certified organic cotton and 100% faux fur ethical luxury.

Leather Love

Leather was definitely a hot item on the runway, and Vancouver local Kirsten Ley created some incredible pieces by molding leather into unique shapes. The accented shoulders on this jacket were definitely eye-catching, and looked especially great in the oxblood red shade.

Coveted Capes

I was pretty excited to see many capes grace the runway at Vancouver Fashion Week this season. They are always a favourite of mine for fall and winter! This one by Moskal is a new favourite. The colour is definitely unexpected for the season, which is refreshing. Overall, the styling of this cape is spot on, from the glasses to the turtleneck, whose muted purple is a perfect pairing. And we can't forget those matching pants: it's a perfect set!

[Images provided by Arun Nevader/WireImage]

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2016: Day 5

Day 5 was an exciting day at Vancouver Fashion Week. There was a great mix of new and old VFW designers: designers I'm always excited to see, plus a sprinkling of new ones I've never seen before, and pleasantly surprised! Plus, it was a beautiful warm Spring day out, which made for some lovely photos in the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden before we headed in to see the fashion week shows at the Chinese Cultural Centre.

I long to wear this skirt from Kassinka more - now that Spring is finally here, I'm pulling out the pastels and starting to incorporate into more of my looks. I admit, for years I strayed away from pastels because of my perpetual paleness (oh don't pretend you hadn't noticed!). But I've since learned to embrace the paleness and enjoy the shades of the season. It feels so nice and fresh to be wearing crisp whites and pastels after months of my black and grey outfit obsession!

Keep reading below to see two of my jaw-dropping favourite collections seen at Day 5 of Vancouver Fashion Week:

Designer: Dominique Ansari

Oh man. This collection. Every piece. I've always been a sucker for elegant gowns and lace, so it should come as no surprise that I fell in love with this collection by Dominique Ansari. My favourite of them all, this crimson red peplum gown, looked absolutely stunning, especially the sheer naked-dress top. The naked dress has obviously be a huge trend this year, but I loved how this dress only featured a sheer top, balanced out nicely by the full-length skirt with a nude-coloured lining. Beautiful! Now excuse me while I go day dream of all the fancy parties I'd wear her gowns to, if given the chance...

Photo by Harry Leonard

Designer: Noe Bernacelli

Noe Bernacelli's collections have been a favourite of mine at Vancouver Fashion Week in the past. His gowns are stunning couture masterpieces, designed with the most immaculate attention to detail. This season's collection was a bit different than usual. It strayed somewhat from the gowns we had seen in the past, including less classic-elegant details like neon hair parts and baseball caps! I found the coat/pant outfits to be very reminicent of Chanel style, but the elegance is somewhat offset by the baseball cap, giving the look a fresh new twist.

I also couldn't write this review without also talking about the amazing 'epaulettes' the model is rocking in the second photo. The fringe gave the dress such beautiful movement - obviously not a dress for the faint of heart, but just look at that incredible detailing! Truly unique.

Photos by Dale Rollings

Vest - Forever 21 | Crop Top - Forever 21 | Necklace - Olive + Piper | Skirt - Kassinka | Bracelet - Nobis & Grey | Shoes - Sole Society | Purse - Vintage

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Vancouver Fashion Week FW2016: Day 2

Well folks, this is officially my 13th season covering Vancouver Fashion Week! Pretty crazy. Day 2 of the Fall/Winter 2016 runway shows brought all kinds of fabulous new designers into the spotlight, including my personal favourites Lesley Hampton, Saint Jesus by M. Jesus Ponce, and Street and Saddle. Keep on reading below to see a few runway shots and my thoughts on each of their collections!

Fashion Week is always a great opportunity to step up your fashion game. Lately, fashion weeks have become notorious for the "circus" they create - bloggers dressed up in ridiculous outfits just in order to be photographed. I think that just becomes silly, but I must admit fashion week creates a wonderful opportunity to dress up more than you would on a normal day - because let's be honest, in Vancouver, there are only so many opportunities to wear these wonderfully comfy floral wide leg pants (from Target!) without getting weird looks. It's the one week twice a year where anything goes, and you're among equally fashionably flamboyant friends! Hence my chance to wear these wide leg floral pants, my favourite cape blazer, and a giant statement necklace. Oh and an avant garde pastel purple lipstick from NYX lipstick that I've been dying to wear. What better time than fashion week?

Designer: Lesley Hampton

I'm fully aware I'm attracted to shiny things. Sequins are a no brainer, so this collection from Lesley Hampton definitely caught my eye with its mirrored scales. I loved the shape of this dress in particular, how the scales really accentuated her curves and how the black inserts gave the arms and waist more definition. The exposed zipper also gave the dress a nice edgy touch. By the way, if you've ever wondered how to rock black lipstick, this is a perfect example. A killer outfit from top to bottom!

Photo by Ed Ng Photography

Designer: Saint Jesus by M. Jesus Ponce

I was a big fan of the sheer skirt when it became a big trend last year, plus I've always loved the retro vibe of high waisted bottoms. So naturally, Saint Jesus caught my eye. The geometric detailing on the sheer skirt is what made it really unique. It's certainly not a design for the faint of heart, but something that makes a fierce fashion statement!

Photo by Dale Rollings

Designer: Street and Saddle

Equestrian style has been a staple part of my fall wardrobe for a few seasons now. I adore the preppy look associated with Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren, and now I think I have some new inspiration thanks to Street and Saddle! I love how it even incorporated one of my favourite styles: the cape! I loved the riding pants and other equestrian-inspired pieces of this collection as well, but this cape jacket/dress (complete with a wrangler belt to cinch) was by far my favourite. Especially with the added touch of the pearl necklace, the look is so classic but with a modern twist thanks to the cape slits and structured neckline.

Photo by Dale Rollings

Blazer - Lavish Alice (via Asos) | Shirt - Meiling Couture | Earrings & Necklace - Nobis & Grey | Pants - Merona (via Target) | Heels - Aldo (thrifted)

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Vancouver Fashion Week SS2016: Day 2

My second day at Vancouver Fashion Week's Spring/Summer 2016 shows made for an exciting evening of diverse designs, and new and old favourites. Atelier Grandi, Canella Hostal Couture, Vivano Sue, TKC Designs, and Maaji Swimwear all shined on the runway- keep reading below to see the best of each collection and a quick recap!

On the runway with the wonderful Tina of Sidebuy in between shows!

Atelier Grandi:

It's been such a please to watch Atelier Grandi over many seasons at Vancouver Fashion Week; each collection has Grandy's signature polished, refined, classy and elegant, and yet there is always a fabulous new theme to each collection that makes it so unique. This season's collection, Serpentine, featured snake and metallic detailing- a flashy departure from her usual style, but the style of the dresses is what gave the designs their signature polish. Every single dress was stunning in its own right!

Viviano Sue:

This is a designer I had not had the chance to see before, and felt incredibly satisfied after seeing the runway show. There were so many examples of perfectly executed layers and draping- and what I thought looked like inkblot-inspired prints were incredibly eye-catching! The collection paints the life-story of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly, and the focus on white was meant to convey and symbolize a clean slate from which to build up the collection.

Canella Hostal Couture:

This was one of my surprise favourites of the day! The burst of orange was so refreshing, and I absolutely loved all the fun prints. The skirt on the right was particularly unique. The small folded pieces of fabric all moved individually as the skirt swayed, giving an interesting range of motion as the model walked the runway. Between that skirt and the flowing robe on the left, it was a bright and fun collection that really embodies what spring and summer should be all about!

TKC Designs:

This collection aims to do more than just look pretty. TKC Designs is all about using the collection to empower women. Designer Taranjit K. Cheema wants to shed light on the unreported rape cases in India, where victims feel ashamed and remain silent out of fear of being shunned by their community.

Maaji Swimwear:

Firstly, I have to say, the styling of this runway show was fantastic! The vintage suitcases, comfy blankets, tourist camera and headbands added perfectly to the overall theme of the designs. The 'Rhapsody Road' collection brought us along for their road trip with their youthful fun and flirty designs. Lots of mix and matching prints- and my personal favourite- plenty of the bralette style tops (such a great retro style!). Now if only I could get one of those adorable blanket and holder straps to go with the bikini...road trip, anyone?

Thanks to Ed Ng Photography for the runway photos!

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta

Vancouver Fashion Week SS2016: Opening Gala

Just as soon as it starts to feel like fall is in the air, you know Vancouver Fashion Week is just around the corner! Back in it's usual venue at the Chinese Cultural Centre, it definitely did feel back at home. The Opening Gala is always the best opportunity to get a quick peek at one of each designer's pieces- if you're picking which shows to see during the week, your best bet is to catch this show.

My personal favourites I'm looking forward to this week? Atelier Grandi, Connally McDougall, Alex S. Yu, Green Embassy, Seafolly, and Jackson Rowe. But I'm always up for some surprise favourites too! below. I love seeing a designer's collection for the first time, not knowing what to expect.

Stay tuned and I'll have my favourites from Day 2 of Vancouver Fashion Week coming your way soon!

Outfit: Blouse - Loft 82 (thrifted) | Necklace - Paloma Sanchez | Ring - Nobis & Grey | Pants - May & Jules (via Blogger Closet Sale) | Heels - Vince Camuto (thrifted via Value Village)

Makeup: Eyeliner - Cargo TexasLiner (via London Drugs) | Lipstick - NYX Soft Matte Cream in Copenhagen (via London Drugs)

The adorable entertainers for the evening! 

The Style By Fire teaming rocking adorable full skirts (left to right: Aurora Chan & Miranda Sam in Alex S. Yu, Vicky Duong)

Designer: Canella Hostal Couture

Designer: Alex S. Yu

Designer: TKC Design Inc.

Designer: Green Embassy

Designer: Connally McDougall

Designer: Ana Luisa Barros

Designer: Maaji Swimwear

Thanks to Ed Ng Photography for the runway photos!

Happy Styling! xo

~ Britta