Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) isn’t just for designers, models, or people who live for haute couture—it’s actually one of the coolest events for students to experience. From April 8–13, 2025, David Lam Hall became a hub of creativity, culture, and storytelling, showing that fashion is way more than just clothes. If you’ve ever wondered how style can express identity, push boundaries, or even make a statement about the world, VFW is the perfect place to see it in action.
This season was all about mixing local and international voices. Designers from Mexico, Thailand, and China shared the runway with Vancouver talent like Delayne Dixon and Bahar Kianpour, whose work with upcycled materials and sustainable fashion proves that you can look amazing while caring about the planet. For students, this is inspiring—you get to see fresh ideas, bold experimentation, and creative problem-solving on full display. It’s a reminder that art, fashion, and culture don’t have to be separate from your own life or interests.
VFW also pushes the envelope on inclusivity and storytelling. Genderless, ageless, and body-positive designs filled the runway, and kids’ fashion got its own playful spotlight during Vancouver Kids Fashion Week. It’s fun, colorful, and interactive, showing that fashion is accessible for everyone, not just the elite. Students can walk away thinking differently about clothing, identity, and self-expression—and maybe even get ideas for their own style or creative projects.
Another reason to go? The energy of the event. Watching designers bring sketches to life on the runway, seeing models of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, and experiencing how fashion can tell stories about culture and heritage is unlike anything you’ll find in a classroom or on Instagram. It’s immersive, inspiring, and even a little mind-blowing. For anyone studying art, design, media, or just looking to get inspired, VFW is a living example of creativity in action.
One of the best parts for students is how much you can learn and get inspired just by watching. Seeing designers experiment with upcycled fabrics, dramatic silhouettes, and bold patterns shows that fashion isn’t just about trends—it’s about creativity, problem-solving, and self-expression. You can pick up ideas for your own wardrobe, art projects, or even future career paths. Plus, the social side is huge: chatting with friends about your favorite looks, snapping photos of the most eye-catching designs, and sharing them on social media turns the experience into something fun and memorable. VFW makes fashion approachable, exciting, and totally worth checking out.
Ultimately, Vancouver Fashion Week isn’t just a show—it’s a chance to see the future of fashion, meet like-minded creatives, and explore ideas that might change how you think about your own style or career. For students, it’s not just a fun weekend—it’s an experience that sparks curiosity, creativity, and maybe even a new passion. So grab some friends, check out the runway, and see what Vancouver’s next generation of designers is bringing to the world.
Dan Baltag
dbaltag@my.bcit.ca