GLOBAL FASHION COLLECTIVE (GFC) is a collective launched in October 2017 by the Vancouver Fashion Week. It is a platform producing exclusive runway shows in different fashion capitals across the globe, supporting creative designers by establishing their international presence and media visibility, with the aim to accelerate their global development on new markets. GFC organized two runway shows in the prestigious central location at La Salle Wagram on February 27th. 7 international designers presented their AW20/21 collection at 4PM and 7PM. Real springboard, the young designers shared the podium in the best area of the capital. GFC offers a unique opportunity for new talents to promote collections, as a key moment during the Paris Fashion Week. “We strive to identify undiscovered designers by providing an accessible and internationally reputable platform.” – Jamal Abdourahman, Producer.
1st SHOW // 4PM // 4 Designers (ready to wear)
Opening the show was HAMON’s collection SAKKAKU, created by Japanese designer Kumiko Iwano. Established in 2018, the brand is known for its unconventional yet timeless pieces, playing with the functionality of clothing by mixing casual with elegance. The collection is an interplay between fashion and the human spirit, using unconventional design to show the various functions that clothing has, such as survival, culture, and social hierarchy. Next, Rebeca Rebeca and Mama Jules made strong statements on the runway with their Fallout/Postpartum collection. Rebeca Herlung Høien and Julie Lie, two Norwegian designers, collaborated on these designs to comment on humanity’s impact on the climate and our children’s futures. The finale gown, covered in dirty underwear, sent a final message, calling for the textile industry to clean up its act. The third brand to showcase was ALÇA, designed by Emel, a designer of Djiboutian descent who is now based in Tokyo. Emel calls fashion her “life saviour”, as somebody who has struggled with body image in the past. The pieces reflect Emel’s intuitive design process in wide pants and long skirts, playing with volume and repetition to express complexity of identity. Closing the show was award-winning Canadian designer Kirsten Ley with her collection Lacrima. The collection tells a deeply personal story of loss of love and loss of self, laying these losses to rest, and finding inner strength and resilience. It employs Gothic and Victorian design elements to paint the journey of coming into womanhood and rejecting misogyny, shedding the tears of the past and moving forward.
HAMON
Alça
Kirsten Ley
Rebeca Rebeca x Mama Jules
2cd SHOW // 7PM // 3 Designers (evening wear & bridal)
Aoife Ireland made a bold statement as it opened the runway for Global Fashion Collective’s second show. As a luxury womenswear brand that celebrates authenticity, Aoife Ireland strives to incorporate maximum sustainability. Structured, professional shapes take on a fun side with bows and exaggerated, ruffled sleeves, exuding the confidence of a woman who knows what she’s worth. Cyril Mirat, French designer and founder of MIRAT Paris , fuses the edgy style of the South of France with the elegance of Paris. Mirat pays tribute to the fashion capital by naming his creations after Parisian districts, avenues, and monuments. In addition, all of the pieces were made in Paris from start to finish. The versatile silhouettes and contrasting elements of the Independant collection provide insight into the complex identities of the modern woman, no matter their age or size. Mori Wang by Forone closed the show with a collection of elegant bridal couture. Mori Wang believes that weddings should incorporate natural elements, such as flowers, water, and sky. The collection utilises soft, thin lace to create a sense of easy-to-wear comfort for the bride, decorated with details and texture to add a personal touch. Wang also embellishes her gowns with a variety of crystals, including Swarovski crystals.
MIRAT
MORI WANG
