Despite last Friday evening's bitter cold, a queue of eco fashion fanatics snaked around the historic Salt Building, waiting over an hour to witness Eco Fashion Week's grand finale. Prophetik runway shows are popular for combining musical performance with high fashion, and designer Jeff Garner did not disappoint.
Models sashayed to live bluegrass music in floor-sweeping dresses made from sustainable fabrics, including "cactus silk" from the agave plant and organic velvet. Corseted bodices and frock coats displayed pastel patchwork inlays, sourced from antique quilts sewn by Garner's grandmother. One of the quilts was rumoured to be Garner's childhood blanket, taking "upcycling" to a new level.
There's a fine line between nostalgia and costumery. Prophetik's autumn/winter 2011 line just managed to straddle the divide. The Tennessee-born Garner said he drew inspiration from Louis XV's frivolity, yet Garner's trademark yearning for the bygone days of the Confederacy was present throughout the collection. In terms of wearability, Prophetik's knickerbockers and military jackets-in plum, faded indigo, and deep scarlet-stole the show.
Created in 2002, Prophetik's profile recently skyrocketed. Garner coasted to EFW on a slew of favourable reviews from London Fashion Week. Livia Giuggioli (Mrs. Colin Firth) wore Prophetik to the 2011 Golden Globes. And Suzy Amis-Cameron donned an a/w 2011 Prophetik frock for Global Green's annual Oscar pre-party, which she hosted with husband James Cameron.
Prophetik's Vancouver appearance attracted notables including American Pie leading man Thomas Ian Nicholas, a Twilight cast member or two, Project Runway's Kim Cathers, designer Jason Matlo, and actress Mashiah Vaughn. But judging from the post-show buzz, as attendees gossiped over organic ale and wine, Jeff Garner was the true star of the night. Visit Prophetik.com for retailers.—Taraneh Ghajar Jerven
