From: ASAP
WEST COAST FASHION INDUSTRY GOES GLOBAL WITH THE LAUNCH OF BRITISH COLUMBIA FASHION WEEK
Tuesday, January 4th , 2005, Vancouver, BC
Today BC Fashion Week officially launches their website BCFASHIONWEEK.COM and invites designers, buyers and media around the globe to participate in what will truly be a spectacular event.
The first ever BC Fashion Week (BCFW) taking place in April 2005, will establish Vancouver as an emerging fashion centre and a true partner in the global fashion world along with Milan, Paris, London, New York, Toronto, Hong Kong and Sydney.
From April 10 – April 15 over 5 days and 6 glittering nights, BCFW will showcase some of Canada’s top and emerging designers and bring some of the world’s most influential retailers and media to Vancouver’s shores.
BCFW is based on a well-known, successful model of showcasing national and international designers on a global level, where designers present their collections to national and international buyers. The event is also a platform for the media, which acts as the main channel through which the latest trends and designs are communicated to a wider audience.
Twice each year, in line with the two annual fashion seasons, Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter, the entire industry comes together to present its Prêt-a-Porter, also known as ready-to-wear, and diffusion (which is a mix of Prêt-a-Porter and couture) lines to a focused business to business target audience.
The focus of Fashion Week is trade-oriented, where the clothes showcased are representative samples, which can then be produced in larger quantities and various sizes for sale through multiple outlets.
Fashion Week chief creative director, Vladimir Markovic is excited about Vancouver joining the likes of New York, Milan, Paris, London and Australia in having an event to showcase it’s innovative local designers.
“Fashion Week brings new trends and cutting edge creations to the world. It forms the highlight of the season’s fashion calendar in any region, and has been proven effective worldwide for almost a century now. It will be fantastic show the world the amazing talent we have here in British Columbia,” he said.
In order to deliver a strong Fashion Week, BCFW has been fortunate to enlist a number of international industry leaders, from the identity management firm of Digitopolis here in Vancouver to a top fashion photographer from Europe, Dejan Milicevic, along with two top international SuperModels that will become the “faces” of BCFW 2005.
Markovic adds, “I am also delighted that 2C Digital Dreams out of Montreal agreed to develop the website and BarCode Productions are producing the centralized show venues to make BC Fashion Week a truly unique and spectacular event.”
The stunning Sheraton Wall Centre and the Scotiabank Dance Centre in downtown Vancouver are the chosen venues. “The stages create exciting spaces and have very different ambiances that aid greatly in showcasing the talents of our participating designers,” said Markovic. Further details about the stages will be announced early in the New Year.
Support and endorsement has been received from communities, businesses and governments at the municipal, provincial and federal level including Western Economic Diversification, Industry Canada and Apparel BC.
“This support reaffirms to our designers, sponsors, buyers and key partners that the week is poised for even bigger things on the world stage,” states Debra Walker, executive director of BCFW.
Media and industry professionals can register to attend via the official website of British Columbia Fashion Week (www.bcfashionweek.com). The British Columbia Fashion Week website will also give updates and information leading up to and during the event.
For further information, please contact Debra Walker, Executive Director, BCFW, #303 989 Richards St, Vancouver, BC, Canada Tel: 604.688.8741 or email debra@bcfashionweek.com
Dec. 2004
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