Vancouver Kids Fashion Week (VKFW) Spring Summer 2022 wrapped up this Sunday with a fun-filled lineup of children’s wear collections. VKFW continues to be a platform that champions local designers and boutiques, bringing together Vancouver’s children’s community to enjoy the creativity and self-expression of youth.
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Tico Chico presented a collection made of organic fabrics in kid-friendly neutral tones. Coming all the way from Shanghai, Tico Chico and its playful collection was filled with ready-to-wear garments from jumpers to dresses and shirts to coats. While most of the looks were made to be play-ready, some of the more formal looks were embellished with adorable fur trims.
Next up on the VKFW runway was Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) who sported their upcoming Spring/Summer 2022 collection. MEC dressed their little models in matching jackets and pants as well as full body snowsuits. The child-friendly snowsuits are specially designed for easy wear, with zippers in places that make the garment easy to put on and take off. MEC has a simple goal: to reduce their footprint, treat people with respect and build products that are trusted to perform – all at a fair price.
IKKS Junior offers young children a creative and fashionable wardrobe, rich in inspiration and continually renewed. The We Are Young collection is aimed at teens through an urban chic style directly inspired by streetwear. They’re playful take on streetwear included an everyday colour palette with pops of metallic gold and silvers. With balloons in their hair, the young models walked the runway in garments that we all wished came just a little larger in size.
Pretty in pinks and spring colours, Maison Louise showcased their fun-loving collection on the VKFW runway. Dresses, skirts and shirts in classic shapes were given an uplifting new take with beautiful bird printed fabrics, detailed hems and embellished waistlines. Inspired by Canada’s Lake Louise, designer, Tomoko Oxenfarth, uses colour and fabrics to represent the harmony of the flowers and colours of the lake.
Little Princess Gown was a show to remember. Tulle, floral appliques, lace and three dimensional flowers were the highlight of this collection. Soft hues of pinks and blues were scattered throughout the showcase, creating a traditional representation of a spring colour palette. Stunning shapes in the designs of the gowns were hard to miss and the dramatic lines of the full skirts embraced the “princess” in each garment to walk the runway.
Richmond-based boutique YeeHoo opened the show with a colourful assortment of clothing for children, from newborns to 14-year-olds. YeeHoo’s mission is to help parents share their favourite styles with their children, carrying stylish designer items from brands like Moschino and Versace which can be found in its flagship store at Aberdeen Centre. The runway collection included pieces to take children everywhere from classrooms to parties, with brightly-coloured garments and colourful prints such as hearts, crayons, and fruits evoking a sense of childhood fun. Standout pieces included dresses with puff sleeves and chiffon details, cardigans with vibrant colour panels, and a cozy pink coat.
Nolo Kiddos and Igloo Boutique presented a range of casual to formalwear, with whimsical details like ribbons and flowers to instill youth into luxury styles. Pieces ranged from bold, multicolour streetwear including puffer vests and jackets to muted, classic styles like dresses and pinstripe suits. In addition to clothing, accessories such as hats, berets and backpacks made their way onto the runway, providing all of the essentials for children’s living.
The final brand to appear on the runway was Peakaboo Beans, a Vancouver-based brand with a mission to help families make time and space for play, self care, and fun. The runway presentation had an emphasis on children’s play, with young models holding hands with one another or carrying dolls with matching outfits. The collection featured an assortment of casual, comfortable pieces perfect for playdates and playgrounds, including tracksuits, playsuits, and colour-coordinated outfits. Stripes and animal prints added a sense of youthfulness to the garments, making for an exciting and joyful collection.
To wrap up the runway show, guests were treated to a special performance by VISM, an arts education group that will be representing Canada at international performance shows. Performers ages 14 to 17 gave energizing performances along to Alessia Cara’s “Stay” and Elle King’s “Ex’s and Oh’s”, featuring their own original vocals. Afterwards, VKFW and BEETA Education presented a cheque of $6,650 to the Canadian Cancer Society, supporting health care and cancer research.
VKFW will return in April 2022 with fresh childrenswear collections and runway presentations for all to enjoy. Stay tuned for more details to come next season!
About Vancouver Kids Fashion Week (VKFW)
Vancouver Fashion Week is entering its 20th year and has become the fastest-growing fashion week, which has allowed for the launching of Vancouver Kids Fashion in 2016. VKFW is a two-day event dedicated to children’s fashion and creativity. The ever-growing talent in youths was the inspiration driving the launch of this new platform, aiming to highlight and leverage kids’ designers on an international scale. VKFW partners with BC Children’s Hospital Foundation (BCCHF) in an effort to recognize children in need. In addition to runway showcases, the event also includes live dance performances and the cutest kid emcees, bringing lots of fun to the runway.
For more information and photos, please visit:
Vancouver Fashion Week website: www.vanfashionweek.com
Instagram: @vanfashionweek
Facebook: Vancouver Fashion Week
