VFW Fall/Winter 2012: Byron Abad and Megan Mackenzie Jones

Vancouverites in their sartorial best gathered for VFW12’s 2nd night featuring LaSalle College International’s current students followed by 3 seasoned designers.

LaSalle’s Byron Abad’s 2nd term collection “Synikal” accomplished 2 fashion feats – making argyle look sexy and designing a sheer gown into a structural, edgy, wearable piece.

Megan Mackenzie Jones obliged once again with a spellbinding production styled with her signature wings, antlers and tantric choreography. She opened with a lilac number scattered with flowers, a sweet intro to her “dark, fatal seduction” pieces skillfully presented by her hand-picked models.

Vancouver Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2012 – Opening Gala, Opus Hotel

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.

Vancouver Fashion Week S/S 11/12: Mackenzie-Jones gives showstopper

 

First of all, bravo to VFW for their new fabulous venue, Masik Studios. The 14,000 sq ft space in the periphery of hipsterville is a perfect backdrop for a fashion show.

More ease, more cool factor, the shows are shorter with no delays and production at every level more professional. Servers even take drink orders during show breaks. The style quotient has kicked up a notch, lots of individual style in the audience and many fresh, young hopefuls.

The highlight on the second night was Mackenzie Jones’ line Fatal Seduction. Model duos performed tantric paso dobles: the boys in laced-up, low-rise tights and black floral/feather/antler shoulder holsters; the girls in white fitted, slitted gowns, the corseted bodices encrusted with black scroll and floral appliqués .

Dramatic styling and performances made for a riveting show and drew audible gasps. The finale showstopper incorporated white fur and antlers flanking both shoulders (very Lady Gaga).

Calgary based Megan Mackenzie-Jones says “Flora and fauna, memory, beauty, romance and storytelling are interwoven themes that inform my practice..” Her artistry took VFW to a new dimension and the audience loved it.