Photos: Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week

Our favourite designs from opening night.

Vancouver’s first Indigenous Fashion Week kicked off Wednesday night in Larwill Park, featuring the first of many Indigenous designers who will showcase their work this week through to Saturday. Check out some of our favourite Salish-themed designs from opening night.

Lorraine Guss

We love Lorraine Guss’ mulberry skirt paired with lace bell sleeves and the elegance of her moss green velvet slip. The designer, who has spent the last seven years working with Wixun Garments, has a particular affection for warm, earthy tones.

Pam Baker

Touch of Culture creator Pam Baker is best known locally for her handmade Copperknot Jewelry, although that’s just one element of this Kwaguilth-Squamish artist’s diverse portfolio. Her styles on last night’s catwalk ranged from a chic metallic look to an airy celeste-blue dress.

Tyler Jacobs

Coast Salish designer Tyler Jacobs creates custom mainstream fashion that can be found at Nordstrom and Holt Renfrew in Vancouver, and traditional Indigenous regalia. We particularly love his use of beads which, when paired with a metallic blue are a striking display. His work also landed him a role designing the costume for an Indigenous character in Cirque du Soleil’s touring show Totem.Vancouver Indigenous Fashion Week continues to July 29. Shows start at 5 pm in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Atrium. Friday’s show is a Red Dress Event where attendees are asked to dress in red in honour of missing and murdered Indigenous women. All remaining shows are fully booked, with rush tickets and standing room available on a first-come-first-serve basis.