Vancouver Magazine
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Is There a Distinctly “Vancouver” Watch?
Vancouver is bursting at the seams with talent.
You don’t need to go to Paris or Milan to find your dream wedding dress. Vancouver designers are full of fresh ideas, crafting gorgeous new collections and custom gowns right in our city. (Photo: Blush Wedding Photography.)
Average Price: $1,950 to $2,500 (2017 collection)Founder Gaby Bayona’s designs have helped pave the way for the ‘unconventional’ or ‘non-traditional’ wedding dress looks that have become popular amongst Gastown boutiques. Her 2017 collection pays homage to Vancouver (all of the designs are named after the streets surrounding Truvelle’s flagship Gastown store and Mount Pleasant headquarters) and features plunging necklines, backless details and geometric shapes in an array of sandy hues and shades of white.
Average Price: $1,500 to $3,500Brides looking for an eco-friendly dress option will love this local brand. Created by designer Patty Nayel, Pure Magnolia, located in North Vancouver, fills the eco-friendly gap in the wedding market. The brand sources sustainable fabrics (and recycled ones too!), organic cotton, silks, natural fibers and European laces. The team releases collections yearly, but they also take on custom designs and vintage remakes (perfect if you love your mom’s old dress); their latest collection features modern silhouettes with romantic lace and tulle details.
Average Price: $1,200 to $4,500Kathryn Bass and her partner Kelsey McIntyre have the modern-romantic bride in mind, creating fresh takes on traditional silhouettes. The New Romantics collection ($1,200 to $2,000) features separates, or two-piece ensembles, where tops and skirts can be mixed and matched. Or, if the bride prefers, both pieces can be attached at the waist to create a one-piece gown—each piece can also be customized with different fabrics and colours. The Signature Collection ($1,800 to $4,500) is their couture line of gowns made with high-quality fabrics, silks and elaborate construction techniques. (Photo: Simply Sweet Photography by Nomo Akisawa.)
Average Price: $1,250 to $2,300 (Hannah Tikkanen Collection)Designer Hannah Tikkanen is the creator of Little Pink Dress (custom and made-to-order collections are available), but it’s her namesake label that we really love. The Hannah Tikkanen Collection is inspired by the West Coast and the sea, offering boho-chic gowns and separates with flowy skirts—ideal for a beach or destination wedding.
READ MOREMeet Vancouver’s Top Wedding Photographers
(Photo: Shari and Mike Photographers.)
Average Price: $3,200Joanna Delaney designs one-of-a-kind gowns for brides, blending modern and classic styles. She makes everything, adding delicate lace and piecework to the dresses, and offers her design expertise to brides who want to give their vintage dresses a bit of an update.
Average Price: $2,000 to $4,000This local brand retails its collection across Canada and in the U.S., Japan and Korea—and they create exclusive designs for Anthropologie‘s wedding brand, BHLDN. Designers Jija Park and Heather Lewis have a luxurious-yet-laid-back style that makes use of silks and laces (in other words: their dresses are easy to wear, but still look sophisticated); their collections feature a range of silhouettes including a-line, sheath and trumpet.
Average Price: $2,100Brides looking for something with an international flare will be impressed by this brand (Elika in Love was founded in Paris, but now calls Vancouver home). All of the designer Hrissa Soumpassis’ gowns in her annual collections are bespoke and made-to-order, designed with high-quality fabrics, attention to detail, and flattering silhouettes. Both the Goddess and Classic collections have some very unique bridal looks: the Crete Gown is dark green and the Dimitra dress is covered in hand-torn silk squares. The gowns can be viewed by appointment at her Vancouver atelier, and come fall of 2017, will be retailing at select locations.
Average Price: $1,300 to $2,500Davie and Chiyo is the new brand to watch out for: this local company has been designing wedding accessories for nine years, but will be making its first foray into dress-making starting in September. We got a sneak peek at their new collection, and true to the brand’s history, the dresses are both simple and feminine, with delicate touches like ruffles, high slits and criss-cross straps. The new collection will be available on their website and through their Etsy shop.
