VCC's 24th Annual Fashion Arts Gala

VCC graduates impress the audience at the 24th annual Fiat Mode VCC Fashion Arts Gala.

On September 28, members of Vancouver’s fashion community came together at the 24th annual Fiat Mode VCC Fashion Arts Gala to celebrate Vancouver Community College’s latest group of graduates. One of Vancouver’s most noted fashion events of the fall, the gala was held at the recently renovated Italian Cultural Centre and showcased portfolios and collections from VCC’s fashion arts graduates. This year’s gala boasted 28 graduates with a wide array of designs from couture to swimwear to active wear and lingerie.

Anticipation mounted before the show as media, supporters and local fashionistas got a sneak peek at the designers’ portfolios. Each portfolio and design concept exuded creativity, reflecting the designers' impressive skills.

The show opened with Aleksandar Mitrovic, a clear favourite among audience members. Mitrovic was recognized for his outstanding work ethic, and is rumoured to have spent two years creating his collection. Bold cocoon silhouettes and contrasting textures reflected his concept of “slum slumber for the masses.”

Next was Raul Rivera, winner of the Hudson Fashion Award. His designs are influenced by aspects of sculpture, science fiction and robotics. Rivera’s pieces have sleek geometric cuts and exude chic Italian elegance.

Designs from Franz Albana, Agnes Kim and Iris Taborsky-Tasa were runway standouts.

Franz Albana’s tailored menswear jackets were embellished with unusual details like asymmetrical zippers. “If someone is wearing my clothes, I want the people to feel that there is a mystery in what they are wearing,” he says, “that it is kind of different from the basic usual stuff that other people are doing or wearing every day.”

Agnes Kim’s collection – inspired by her mom, heirlooms and flowers – was a whimsical merge of edgy and feminine details. When asked whether she hoped to penetrate the Asian or Western market in five years, she replied, “I’m slowly seeing there’s not really cultural differences in fashion, so in five years maybe I’m going to be adopting some Asian styles to Western styles and Western styles to Asian styles. Because, you know, fashion is just fashion.”

Inspired by the photographic styling of Alfred Stieglitz and Tim Flach, Iris Taborsky-Tasa’s collection was defined by chic knits perfect for the fall and winter. “When [people] wear my pieces, it’s mostly comfort first and foremost,” she says. “Fabrics are really very crucial in my collection.”

The gala was a huge success for the VCC graduate designers. Look for their work on international runways sometime in the future!