Shades and Blossoms of Seasons to Come for Fashion in British Columbia

British Columbia Fashion Week closed out their successful inaugural year of individual international designer collections with a fabulous wrap party at a local hotspot in the Gastown neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia. Guests and participants of the weeklong fashion event released steam and celebrated the birth of the newest addition to the fashion week global calendar.

(PRWEB) May 5, 2005 -- The first British Columbia Fashion Week resulted in bringing together phenomenal designers from across Canada with a wide variety of buyers, media and industry personalities and professionals. Through 22 shows over 5 days, the Scotiabank Dance Centre in downtown Vancouver sparkled and hummed with designers from diverse backgrounds to showcase to the world the plentitude of design talent in Canada. With roughly 45% of the designers currently or originating from British Columbia, the global arena got a first taste of the strength of the talent. With representation from Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, buyers and industry professionals were treated to what will become a fashion staple in Canada, through the bi-annual British Columbia Fashion Week.

Organizers and co-executive directors Vladimir Markovich and Debra Walker are looking forward to the Spring/Summer 2006 British Columbia Fashion Week, scheduled for October, 2005. With strong positive feedback coming from all aspects of participants, we were particularly pleased to see that the homework that we did in our market research has been proven both valid and solid. The City of Vancouver and the province of British Columbia is indeed positioned well for such an international showcase," said Walker. The response and eagerness for the next season has been at little overwhelming at times with positive feedback coming from as far away as New York and London but certainly makes one keen to move forward."

British Columbia Fashion Week would like to thank the multitude of volunteers and supporters in making this event a success. It could not have happened without those who stood behind the project, sharing the same vision in working towards a common goal," stated Markovich. Not the least of those supporters were our very strong production team. British Columbia Fashion Week successfully delivered the high profile event, fulfilling a need that was identified throughout the local industry. The strong presentation of the week showed that Vancouver, in pursuing the bigger picture, can be successfully placed in the international arena. With over 200 accredited media along with registered buyers and industry professionals representing in excess of 325 organizations and associations, we are excited with the level of attendance and interest in each and every one of the collections and activities.

Kudos and congratulations are extended to each of the amazing design teams that were selected to participate in British Columbia Fashion Week," continued Markovich. We look forward to reporting that each of these designers has moved on to the next level of their bright and shining future in the Canadian and global fashion scene." (For details and photos of the fall/winter 2005 collections visit www.bcfashionweek.com.)

Next season promises to expand with continued focus on Canadian designs and creativity. Moving from this beginning season of birth, light and newness, we are moving toward an upcoming spring/summer season of growth, beauty and lushness."

About British Columbia Fashion Week
BC Fashion Week (BCFW) is a high profile event aimed at establishing Vancouver as an emerging fashion centre and a true partner in the global fashion world, along with centres such as Milan, Paris, London, New York, Toronto, Hong Kong and Sydney. As a major international event, BC Fashion Week attracts people from around the world to celebrate innovative Canadian talent, bringing together individuals and organizations that play vital roles in the fashion industry.

BCFW showcases some of Canadas top and emerging designers and bring some of the worlds most influential retailers and media to Vancouvers shores. Through the support of sponsors and media outlets such as 2C Digital Dreams, Digitopolis Media Corporation, Urban Visuals, Scotiabank Dance Centre, Moods Hair Salon, Fashion Watch, Fashion TV, Gravity Pope Shoes, Western Economic Diversification, the Spirit of Vancouver/ Vancouver Board of Trade, the Beat 94.5, Richards Models, Liz Bell Agency, KVOS Television, Atomic 2, Industry Canada, Blanche McDonald, Holiday Inn Downtown Vancouver, Dominos Pizza, Ginger 62, Alibi Room, Chambar, Caffe Sette, Sugar and Sugar, Abasa Optical, Capilano College, and the McRae Institute of International Management.

For further information, please contact Media Relations at press@bcfashionweek.com or +1.604.688.8741.

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