theEvents: Vancouver Eco Fashion Week 2012

Green and Chic in Vancouver

Vancouver hosts Eco Fashion Week for its fifth season.

Written by Schatzie Miller 

On October 16, Eco-friendly fashionistas will descend upon British Columbia’s gleaming pride and joy: Vancouver, as the city plays hosts to Eco Fashion Week. Being held at stunning downtown Robson Square, the event will bring together some of the world’s top ethical fashion designers for an inspiring week filled with exciting events, stylish fashion shows and informative seminars.

Robson Square

Headlining Eco-Fashion Week is Vancouver native feature designer NicoleBridger.  Her fall/winter 2012 collection is sure to inspire as she sets the stage opening night. Evoking the power of “Kali,” the Hindu Goddess of empowerment, Bridger will bring together a marriage of high style, eco-consciousness, contemporary dance and music to create a moving and emotional performance.

“My new collection is about the death of habits, patterns, and ways that no longer serve us. It is about going deeper within to truly see what those are and then letting them go,” says Nicole Bridger. “I named the collection “Kali” because she is a powerful Goddess that can help us on that journey. It is not an easy process but the outcome is much lighter and closer to truth.”

Looks from Nicole Bridger Fall 12 Collection

The theme a letting go habits that no longer serve us, resonates to as a larger purpose for Eco Fashion Week.  Letting go of damaging “habits” regarding clothing manufacturing is a value that rings home for Vancouver’s fashion industry leaders. Founded by one of Canada’s fashion industry leaders, Myriam Laroche created Eco Fashion Week, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting more responsible ways to design, manufacture, distribute and sell clothing.

Vancouver Eco-Fashion Week Must-See Events

Thrift Chic - Value Village Runway Show, October 17, 7:00 pm
Each year, 90 million pounds of clothing end up in landfill sites around the world. To help remove the stigma that is sometimes associated with purchasing second hand or thrift clothes, Value Village has partnered with Eco Fashion Week to create a special runway show. Stylists NicoletteLang-Anderson, Tony Vu and Mimi Lauzon, founder of Fashionilla.com, will each be given a $500 budget to buy clothes and style 10 to 15 looks for what promises to be a notable show.

Designers Anne-Marie and Catherine

Atlier B. Fashion Show, October 18, 6:00 pm
One of five Quebec designers being featured at Eco Fashion Week, Atelier B. was an idea conceived by designers Catherine Métivier and Anne-Marie Laflamme. The designers have a philosophy of ethical production and are continually moving forward with their research and innovation. Inspired by industrial design and production, each piece is simple and minimalist with the intention or being  timeless.

The fall event, set to take place October 16 - 19, 2012 at Robson Square, will feature an impressive round up of local and international designers. For tickets, visit ecofashion-week