2022 Made in Vancouver Awards Winners: Fashion

Watch out, runway: the winners of Vancouver magazine’s fourth annual Made in Vancouver Awards have arrived. Dress your best with looks from our city’s most fashion-forward makers. But hey, it’s not all about looks: this year’s #1 award in style went to a brand that’s changing period stigma, one sustainable swimsuit at a time.

Photography by Jennilee Marigomen, styling by La Bomba Floral

Winner: Alice Period Bathing Suit, Rosaseven Lingerie

It’s an exciting thing to see innovation happen in your lifetime. When it came onto the scene earlier this decade, period underwear was a true game-changer for the menstruating citizens of planet earth. What’s even more exciting, though, is when a technology enters the stage of refinement, and the market introduces competitors who tweak a great idea to an even more elevated realm. All of which is to say: yes, Rosaseven Lingerie certainly didn’t invent the idea of flow-absorbing garments, but the Squamish-based lingerie brand has taken the idea to new heights with its flattering, beautifully cut Alice period bathing suit. 

It’s swimwear with a surprising social impact. For the three-quarters of people who avoid swimming while they’re on their period, the Alice provides reassurance in a chic package. “Our bathing suit gives menstruators back the freedom to do whatever they want on their periods,” says Rosaseven co-founder Delphine Veilleux. 

And while the Alice keeps pads and tampons out of the landfill, this isn’t the design’s only claim to sustainability: the one-piece is also made from recycled polyester and spandex.
$169, rosaseven.com

2022 Made in Vancouver Awards Honourable Mentions in Fashion

Josephine Satchel, Atelier Eli

The design is old school—literally. Atelier Eli’s Josephine satchel is inspired by schoolbags of the ’40s and ’50s. The methodology is similarly (and admirably) old-fashioned: designer Maggie Li cuts out each piece of full-grain Italian leather by hand and personally stitches it all together into something beautiful.
$450, ateliereli.shop

Chelsea Boot with Medallion Detail, HD Russell Boots and Shoes

HD Russell’s designs are the opposite of fast fashion, and we’re here for it. Each pair of bespoke handmade leather boots is crafted from raw material in the brand’s East Van workshop, and sized to fit just right. These are shoes meant to last a lifetime: a pair of these chelseas can last 20-plus years with proper care.
$870, hdrussellboots.com

Wholecut Oxford, Amy Slosky Handmade Shoes

Is it a magic trick or pure craftsmanship that designer Amy Slosky manages to create oxfords from a single piece of ultra-soft calfskin leather? Can’t it be both? Hand-punched brogue details and elegantly chiselled toes complete the too-lovely-to-be-believed effect.
$1,300, amyslosky.com

READ MORE: Meet the Winners of Vanmag‘s 2022 Made in Vancouver Awards