Vancouver Alternative Fashion Week(End) – “VALT” – is a gathering place for a unique spectacle that sets it apart from anything you will experience inside other Vancouver fashion forums.
Dystopia refers to a bleak futurescape in which humanity toils and struggles with little or no recompense. An anarchist, survivalist nightmare world, as was expected my many throughout the 70’s, 80’s, and early 90’s.
Aaron Morris: Host of Dystopia
VALT Co-Founder, and Host of Dystopia, Aaron Morris’ gristly darker side provided VALT revellers with an evening of crashing chaos and ruin!
Model Makeup and Hair
“The models for Dystopia were, in my mind, the rebel army behind the alternative revolution. With bloody knuckles, and road rash, and messed-up hair… because they’re busy fighting for the right to be who they want to be. The models of Dystopia are the children of the chaos that comes from the fall of Utopia.”
– Kat Morris
Vixxen Prints
In a severe and disturbing display of opression and fright, Vixxen Prints’ models embodied what we should fear in a “Big Brother” society. The spectacular use of materials – including a bell shaped papier mache dress paired with a terrifying looking gas mask, a bandage dress literally framing cultural porn, a straightjacket that gave me the chills, and a gown made of broken books, torn pages, and burned music sheets – made clear, poignant, vexatios statements which affected me deeply. Vixxen Print was terrifyingly beautiful in it’s execution.
Pretty Bastard
Pretty Bastard was by far and away the most appropriately named designer of the weekend. Showing pieces ranging from spiked shoulders, black leather collars, and an S&M inspired strapped leather corset, they mixed it up with ruby silks, glittery brocades, sheer tops, flowy gossamer and tulle gowns. Statement pieces to be sure, and also many wearable, highly structured, architectural ones like blazers – softened with ruffled blouses, and leathery leggings. Truly a beautiful representation of “The Best of Both Worlds.”
“I love the diversity of styles, and how the designs of clothes and accessories complemented all body shapes and heights. Everything was so unique, and I felt different in every piece that I wore. Some were fun, sexy and pretty, while others were edgy, fierce and powerful.” – Holly Wu, Model
Shiverz Designs
No one can adorn a fierce Drag Queen in a bustle, and curled red horns ensconced in red roses, like Shiverz Designs. And no pearl, feather, flower or spike was spared in the application of details to these “Alice In Wonderland meets Gothic Glam” sensations! This line is delicate, feminine, and pretty, blended with with the edgy and sexy use of chains and hardware, that make it one of a kind. Shiverz floated a purple ballgownesque Garden of Eden skirt (spiders tucked in the layers of cascading hydrangea petals) down the runway, and a fitted leopard print corset, matched with a bubbly skirt ballooning out from the tiny waisted structure, that illustrated the talent, and playfulness of this wonderful designer. Her headpieces are uniquely embellished, and each is the perfect compliment to her sumptuous garments. I am especially grateful to the designer of Shiverz, Siobhan, who personally dressed me in the luscious Garden of Eden ensemble for my evening hosting. I felt every inch The Utopian Fairy Queen.
AD Designs
Sophisticated and modern, high-end suits were the hallmark of AD Designs. Strikingly beautiful, and employing flawless technical precision, these pieces are not for the faint of heart, as they are created with open panels and couture bondage straps and buckles, that will keep you securely tied up at the office… all day, and all night.
Jillian Gray
Paired leather pieces – pants and bodysuits and dresses – with silk chiffon and zippers… edgy and sweet, hardcore and delicate, embracing the yin and yang. Her style is sophisticated, combining amazing structure and extreme attention to detail… all while imparting a futuristic feel.
“The Femstar Evolution” by The House of Barnes
They began quietly, motionless under a black cloak, while an intense film of a woman breaking out from behind a chain link fence, interspersed with a delicate ballerina posing mysteriously behind smoke, flickered onscreen behind them. The beat began to thump, and with a hardcore, in unison, primordial scream, “The FemStar Evolution,” unleashed themselves upon us and danced up and down like wild seductresses. In full regalia, and with pure passion, they knocked the wind out of us each evening!
When I asked Dani Barnes if she would like to voice any thoughts from her heart about what her performances with FemStar Evolution at VALT 2013 meant to her, she shared this with me:
“My choreographer and co-producer Hannah Celinski had some very wise words for me in the beginning of our rehearsals; The process of creation, actually creates the purpose of the product. In short, the concept was based on my journey as an artist, the fall from faith in people and broken dreams, to the revelation that nobody can satisfy but you but yourself. I fought with my demons for many years, and channeling that struggle for Dystopia was very rewarding. I think many people could identify with the pain. Working with Hannah (who trained me in dance before I moved to Vancouver) sent me on a full circle healing process, coming to terms with the past me, and present me – that I not be ashamed of the fear I embraced, and learned to use those memories to propel my art to another level of self acceptance/fearless self exploration.” – Dani Barnes
Oculto Steam Masks
Shay Lhea: Vancouver is very contemporary, so if you are not making something that fits into the five predetermined moulds, you don’t get a break. I think for alternative designers, they really have to believe in what they are doing, and then they hope and pray for a chance. I think that the heart is in it even more, we believe in it so much more, because it is so much outside of the box and out on a limb… and we hope that someone will take recognition.
Miroir: What does it mean to you to be showing at VALT this year?
Shay Leah: Oh, God, it gives me opportunities that I never thought I would never have. I’m like a soapbox artist. I figured that I would create in my home, and that it would never go anywhere. I have my own little online shop, and I figured I would access the global community that way. But now that I’ve realized that Vancouver is actually giving artists a chance, I feel like the world actually is my oyster. So, if your hometown believes in you, then your success means so much more. The people around you are supporting you, as opposed to having to go somewhere else to get the recognition. You hope that the people who raised you, and the place that you created your art will appreciate you.
Miroir: What do you want the people to have your masks? Who do you make them for?
Shay Leah: Virtue has a veil, and Vice wears a mask. So when you think of Virtue, you think of little Virgin Marys, you think of goody two-shoes girls wearing these beautiful little veils. And when you think of vices, you think of alcoholics, you think of chain cigarette smokers, you think of drug addicts, you think of all the dark stuff that nobody wants to have out in the open. Vice wears a mask, so when it comes to people wearing masks, I feel like they are going to have the opportunity to let the darkest side of themselves – which is very true and very real – come out. I am giving them the opportunity to hide, but at the same time, to reveal the side that they never would without the mask.
Dixon
“I loved this line because it daringly combined femininity with just a touch of jarring symbolism and darkness.”
– Delilah Diabolic, Model
Pretty in Punk
Visual College of Art and Design Vancouver student, Tanya Walker, was MOST deservedly awarded the title of VALT 2013 Most Promising Student Designer. Her dresses mezmerized as they poured down the runway… Her black leather mermaid dress with chain shoulder straps was spectacular, and swishing diamond patterned ball gown in a silky full skirt and leather and silver studded bodice, made me wish for my own fairy godmother, for this was beautiful enough for the most formal affair, and the most couture runway. The quality of the pieces was apparent and undeniable, with attention to detail, such as the assymetrical cut on a one shoulder, chained, leather and sheer floor length piece, which had flow and movement that stood apart from the rest. Perfectly structured, gorgeous and edgy, this collection captured my imagination, and I expect to see her future designs in high demand by discerning clientele of every genre.
“This one goes out to all the girls who don’t fit in, who stand out and continue to do so despite the name-calling and labels. Words like weird, unusual, freak – these are supposed to be insults. What the rest of the world doesn’t realize is how freeing it is to be strange. In fact, with a quick search through a thesaurus of the word unusual, you get such synonyms as amazing, exceptional, incredible and refreshing. Pretty in Punk has been designed for women who still want to be feminine, want to feel beautiful in the clothes they wear, and also don’t want to be Plain Jane. This collection is for strong women, women who know who they are and want to show the world.” – Tanya Walker
Photography by Nina Pak
Written for Miroir by Jacqueline Ryan