Vancouver Fashion Week S/S 22 Day 2, brought us three diverse designers from Canada. The three designers highlighted in this post have more in common than separates them. In previous posts, I have explored some designers that produced conceptual collections like Aranka Jacoba Scheeper, Kaka The Label. However, here I am looking at three brands that give us great practical and pragmatic fashion. These three designers, are inspired by their locations in this vast country and their experiences of Canadian life.

The Canadian fashion story is about hard work and exposure. In this huge nation, there isn't a distinct fashion center, and designers often struggle to get noticed. Fast forward to Vancouver Fashion Week. Here, Canadian designers get a platform to show the country and the world their uniquely Canadian designs. Thanks to Jamal Abdourahman and his team for their support of Canadian designers.

VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S22 DAY 2

MAISON DU MARDI

The first of three Canadian designers featured on day 2 is Samantha Reichert. Samantha started her label MAISON DU MARDI (House of Tuesday) in 2019 after graduating from Olds College in Calgary. Maison du Mardi was inspired by Samantha’s love of travel, the beloved city of Paris, France, along with her mixed heritage of Indigenous, French, and European roots. Maison du Mardi is a Canadian brand focused on sustainability, body positivity, and ethical manufacturing.

MAISON DU MARDI - THE COLLECTION

CANADIANA

This collection, was created over a year in the isolation of the pandemic. The designer spent her time producing 12 exquisitely made women's wear garments. The show was titled, "Canadiana" which drew on the designer's life in Canada and its natural beauty.

The vast Alberta sky, the golden prairie, and the often snowy landscape form the inspiration for this collection. A limited color palette of gold, black, and white is expertly handled by the designer. A print that includes iconic Canadian wildlife like the moose and mountain sheep are used sparingly and adds a sense of fun.

The designer's love of Paris fashion is reflected in the chic, savvy cuts of the garments. This collection is well suited to the young, sophisticated working woman. While at the same time giving several looks that are vacation-ready with cut-outs, cold shoulders, and exposed midriffs.

This debut collection is a great starting point for a young designer that has style and talent. The wide range of luxurious fabrics adds depth, texture, and movement to the garments. The figure-friendly clothes appear market-ready and show a range of silhouettes and a variety of styles. The three ensembles featured below are perfect examples of the inventive use of fabrics. Rarely does a twelve-piece collection offer such a variety of looks while being so cohesive. All you fashionistas, watch out for what's next from this young designer with such sophisticated taste.

VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S22 DAY 2

TAMAR KATE

TAMAR KATE brings to the runway a collection that reflects the designer's commitment to eco-friendly, organic, and slow clothing. This Canadian label is from Vancouver and reflects the west coast vibe. I am always impressed when a young label has such high standards.

At Tamar Kate, we have always taken pride in what we create and what we stand for. In a world of fast fashion, we are proudly a “slow” fashion brand, with an uncompromising commitment to the highest standards. This means using only organic and non-toxic, earth-loving fabrics. It also means designing and manufacturing our product exclusively in Vancouver, where we can ensure high-quality craftsmanship, decent wages and working conditions, and sustainable manufacturing practices.

Taken from VFW bio.

 TAMAR KATE - THE COLLECTION

This collection certainly brings us an easy-going west coast vibe. Pastel hues and white are elevated by adding black, teal, and faun. The color story is clean and pure and is all solids. Matching bags, embroidered appliques of bees and butterflies, and slogans add detail.

A tag line from the accompanying video sums up this collection as "effortlessly stylish." I could not agree more. The combination of mix and match separates create a wardrobe that has minimalistic ease. I can easily imagine a client who would want each piece. The assortment of flowing dresses, sophisticated full trousers, cardigans (both long and short ), as well as other silhouettes are chic and laid-back. At the same time, this collection is season-less and well suited for an active lifestyle.

This eco-friendly label serves what once might have been a niche market. However, it is meeting the needs of an evolving customer that is motivated by purchasing sustainable clothing. This fun and youthful collection elevates relaxed, easy dressing and infuses it with an edge, perfect for West Coast living.

VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK S/S22 DAY 2

SUGAR COATS

To round out my trio of Canadian designers is the label SUGAR COATS. This brand designed is by Debbie Hall, from Winnipeg, Manitoba. This is Debbie's first showing at Vancouver Fashion Week. The Sugar Coats about page brings us a home sewer becoming a fashion designer.

Sewing runs in my family going back generations on my mom’s side. She is the one who I have learned the most from, not just in creating, but in life. Since the age of 15, sewing has been a marvelous hobby and creative outlet for me. In 2006 I went back to school and studied Apparel Design under Jan Bones at the University of Manitoba. For me this was challenging, as my children were school aged, but building mastery in this skill brought me Joy!

​Joy came into my life  when my lovely husband surprised me with a Husqvarna Designer I sewing machine. Her name is Joy.  She and I have created  a million stitches together. That brings me to Sugar Coats.

From VFW bio.

SUGAR COATS -THE COLLECTION

SUGAR COATS brought a collection of eight coats to the runway. The abridged collection featured coats that were in differing silhouettes, colors, and prints. Overall there was an evening vibe to the coats. This was accentuated, by the models all wearing a lace masquerade-style mask.

The color palette was mainly black and white. Other colors were incorporated, with a pinkish-red, gold, and a shimmering bronze lace. The coats also came in various patterns, featuring large-scale florals, damask, and hounds-tooth. The designer added small details to the garments; like polka dot trim and lace. A black trench-style coat with a large-scale floral border print in pinkish-red was a standout.

Sugar coats is a line that brings elegant and stylish coats to the runway. Solid construction and hand-sewn accents give these coats a sense of style. These coats have a timeless look. Many of them are well suited to compliment your formal or semi-formal evening wear. This brand is a true Canadian success story from a home sewer to showing on the catwalk of Vancouver Fashion Week.

All photos in this post by photographer

ARUN NEVADER

courtesy of Vancouver Fashion Week

IN CONCLUSION

The successes of Canadian designers are something to be celebrated. I am eager to show you more from the Canadian designers who showed at Vancouver Fashion Week. Watch this space to see more from the runway of Vancouver Fashion S/S 22.

CIAO FOR NOW J. ANDREW