Vancouver Fashion Week Recap

05.22.24

By Hope Rasa

Vancouver Fashion Week 2024 (VFW) set the table for this season with the spring/summer show that took place on April 23-28. Launched in 2001 and creatively led by Jamal Abdourahman, VFW is the second-largest fashion show in North America. VFW’s diverse body of work showcases local, national and international designers. VFW exhibits new brands, established designers, haute couture and experimental fashion all on the same runway. Since the beginning, VFW has brought the traditional and the experimental together for one big fashion display. 

BIBACLOTHIER

More than just a pop of color, vibrant colors were everywhere in VFW24. The bright, cheery shades that dominated the show ensured nobody could forget the season.

Solid, bright colors weren’t worn as an accessory, they defined entire looks. An already unique threadbare bikini dress is made more eye-catching by its entirely cherry red coloring. An otherwise conventional suit look becomes interesting with the addition of a bright orange coat. 

Some of the exciting colors on the runway seemed to wear the models more than the models wore them. However, clothing is clearly a work of art when one’s eye gravitates towards the outfit before the model.

Many of the edgier, dark looks from the show carried a maximalist element. Combining multiple textures and patterns within the same outfit creates a busyness that contrasts the simple, sleek nature of an all-black look. The use of layering in many of these designs not only compounds that busy element, but adds a grunge aspect to them.

These outfits have an edgy decadency to them. However, having so many different things going on at once can be so overstimulating that it’s hard to see the rest of the vision. 

It would be more satisfying and less overwhelming to see the cool elements of these looks (bows, cats-cradle exposed stitching, corsets) spread across multiple outfits rather than crammed into one.

Casual and minimalistic designs featuring all-neutral color schemes were a pronounced trend throughout VF24. The travel wear and streetwear outfits were frequently made up of light, neutral colors like heather gray, white and soft beige.

The all-neutral motif balances out the loud, bright colors that are present in the show’s body of work. VFW is all about variety, and giving us eye-popping color along with calming neutrals accomplishes that. 

That said, the interesting, unique character of the bright, colorful looks is missing with these neutral outfits.  The term “sad beige” comes to mind with these all-neutral looks. They’re chic and fashionable, but not fun.

Some designs chose to use simple colors for extravagant purposes. The patterns, layers and texture present in some of the all-black, edgy looks from the show are subdued with neutral color schemes. Occasional pops of color like a baby pink boa or red lipstick are accentuated by an overall neutral palette. Neutral colors combined with complex, entertaining designs equals a happy medium.

VFW 24 was full of patterns and trends across designers and categories, giving the show a sense of cohesiveness and consistency to balance its variety. The variety that VFW offers means that all types of designers and designs are seen. It also means that all kinds of interests are catered to. VFW is a menu so long that everyone will find something they like on it.