VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK FW17 SHORTLIST

Internationally recognised as the 'Gateway to Global Fashion', Vancouver Fashion Week are heading into their 29th consecutive season. It is once again poised to welcome top media and buyers, as well as national and international celebrities and industry VIPs. This season presented a range of national and international designers while maintaining its support for local talent. Vancouver Fashion Week is committed to being one of the world's greatest international incubators of innovation and talent.

1. ARANTXA MORCILLO

Born in Madrid, Arantxa Morcillo has found that having an obsessive attention to research is crucial for the creative process. This is essential for evolving rich and intimate collections. Morcillo is genuinely curious about materials, silhouettes and form. She previously worked at Somerset House and interned with Gareth Pugh before embarking on her own projects. This year she will showcase her AW17 Memories collection on the runway.

2. KAKOPIEROS

Embracing human dichotomies, Kakopieros explores artistic, philosophical, spiritual and scientific questions. Kakopieros was designed to confront and alter its viewer's perceptions. Her AW17 collection titled Anne Frank focuses on trials and tribulations that Anne Frank faced throughout her life. Kakopieros' thoughts and inspirations are inevitably tied to the aesthetic of politics and found this heavily influenced the core of her work.

3. VIKTORIA TISZA

Initially launched as a swimwear brand, Viktoria Tisza eventually introduced bodysuits and jumpsuits and then moved into new materials. Using moulded pieces of silicone rubber, Viktoria Tisza creates conceptual sci-fi pieces for the catwalk. She has been featured in British Vogue and Glamour and has designed on-stage bodysuits and dresses for Beyoncé and her dancers for her World Tour.

4. SARA ARMSTRONG

An internationally-acclaimed, interdisciplinary artist who practices in both fashion and industrial design, Sara Armstrong has been featured in Vogue, Glamour, ELLE Italia, ELLE Mexico, ELLE China, and ELLE Canada. Armstrong creates pieces with an androgynous blur. Her formal training in sculpture is immediately apparent in pieces that balance complex geometries with pared-down simplicity. Lucid yet intuitive, her work is hinged upon a tactile, hand-worked approach to design and a strong appreciation for authenticity and quality.

5. MAAK

Designed by South African Charne Esterhuizen, MAAK is a fledgeling label that is all about individuality and attitude. The Australian-based brand is proud of its sustainable marks, creating everything within Australia and operating via sustainable production methods. The fledgeling label launched this year and is already attracting fans from the music industry, having worked with international artists such as Vera Blue, Hands Like Houses, Boo Seeka and Hayley from the Jezabels.

6. ALEX S. YU

Vancouver's own Alex S. Yu creates colourful garments that explore the fine line between reality and fantasy. His aesthetics rollick the happy emotions of childhood, nostalgia and wanderlust; and ponder the very definition of femininity in a modern, quirky way. He trained at Blanche Macdonald Centre in Vancouver and then furthered his education at London College of Fashion and has been featured in Vogue Italia, Glamour, ELLE Canada, ELLE Italia, i-D and Indie Magazine. He recently presented his AW17 collection over London Fashion Week.

7. EVAN CLAYTON

Vancouver-based Evan Clayton marries art and fashion in such way as to create political, personal and artistic expression. Ready-to-wear and bespoke offerings artistically enhance a foundation of playful and often sculptural and empowering silhouettes.

8. MACHIO MIZUMACHI

Machio Mizumachi has won multiple awards for creativity in his home country of Japan including Tokyo New Designer Grandprix, Osaka Styling Expo and Kurashiki Fashion Frontia. His trademark is an eccentric use of colour and a technique of dismantling and rebuilding couture. His recent work illustrates ideas of nostalgia and fantasy through re- imagination and redefines various aspects of his personal life.

9. ENCIMA

ENCIMA is a contemporary menswear brand based in Vancouver. Founded by designer Faiz Lalani, the brand aims to design and create unique garments utilising colours and materials that represent individuality. Functional menswear pieces highlight unexpected twists, worthy of the runway while retaining its undeniable promise of wearability.