At first, the opening gala of Vancouver Fashion Week at Opus Hotel promised to be the frenzied chaos of galas past. Once we squeezed past the pink-carpet mayhem and were ensconced at a little table in the lounge, we were able to sip, nibble, and view the spectacle that the event delivered.

The crowd parted for two designer-creations, one in black, the other in white. Wings draped and ballooned the front skirt of the little white dress that surprised from every angle. Ruched, maribou-trimmed and cinched with white lace, the gown in black failed to upstage the dramatics of its model.

Guests can always be counted on to present their own definition of style. A best-friend duo incorporated the high/low trend with stripe and turquoise blocking accessorized with classic quilted Chanel bags. An alabaster-skinned brunette in tribal print maxi topped with a faux fur & leather cap and shrug finished her Siberian winter look with scarlet lips, liquid liner and a loaded attitude.

The boys didn’t disappoint – body skimming suits, tailored leather pants, a bow tie or two, “I just threw this on” chambray shirts and fabulous haircuts, long and short.

A few ensembles were to be admired for their fearlessness. A Marilyn-bobbed blonde in floral shift and scarf ensemble was particularly defiant. The persistence of short, tight-fitting satin dresses was baffling. My parking expired before my party date’s hissing threw us into a fashion gala quagmire.

Chinatown’s Chinese Cultural Centre gives new runway backdrop in the next 5 days for the likes of the fabulous Megan Mackenzie-Jones, Project Runway Canada’s Sunny Fong and international labels such as Brazil’s SODDI and UK’s AngelEye.