I might be a little biased since the Thrift Chic Challenge is what I participated in last year.
However, there is a reason why this is day that guarantees a packed house. It's not only such a treat to see three different creative pallets send beautiful looks down the runway. The head lining show takes eco fashion to the next level by transforming 68lbs of "old clothes" into couture worthy treasures.
This year's stylists and designer are stacked with heavy hitters. Kenneth Wyse, Dandi Wind and Claire Bouvier are three talented stylist/designers taking in part for the Thrift Chic Challenge. They have a budget of $500 from Value Village and are challenged to create 15 head to toe looks.
It never ceases to amaze us how diverse and vast spectacular talent can present themselves.
Kenneth Wyse starts off the show with his collection aptly named Kenneth Barbie. The inspiration? Perfect mix of Ken and Barbie if Ken and Barbie's wardrobe were to have a baby. Everything from the models, hair and make up is exactly on point. The doll like models trotted down the run way in pieces that will no doubt trigger your first memories of being mini stylists as you dictated what your Ken and Barbie dolls did and wore. Even the way the pieces fit screamed that innocent time when girls and boys dreamed one day to see their fashion creations draped on people. I can actually recall when I had my Barbie and making clothes for her using left over fabric from my Grandmother.
Dandi Wind followed with her Japanese Street Fashion inspired collection. Every outfit was created on the fly, right before the models headed to the runway. The haphazard effortless styling is actually incredibly difficult to create, without having the outfit look tack and incoherent. All her looks are incredibly playful. The details are incredible and each outfit tells a story that we can get lost in.
Last but not least Claire Bouvier brought forth a peak inside her own closet with her vintage inspired looks. We so especially smitten with her unifying head pieces, from an amazing top hat to artisan hangers, the huge hair is the perfect base to display such art. Her collection is very cohesive with a school marm twist. Nerdy chic some may say. All the pieces are ultra feminine and flattering. Definitely a person favourite this season. I was actually fortunate enough to get to know Claire a bit. She is an amazing individual, a full time teacher who also runs The Claire Closet. Stay tuned to find out more about this amazing lady. In the mean time, please visit her Website.
I fell in love with the final look. Hard to believe that cape was originally intended to be table cloth? (Hope you don't mind me divulging your secret, Claire)
A quick break then the crowd reconvened to take in the head lining show.
The buck of the 68lbs challenge has been passed to Evan Ducharme this year. Evan is an eco designer who's past Eco Fashion Week collections received numerous praise. Mentored by the queen of the 68lbs challenge Kim Cathers herself, Evan debuted his challenge collection with an understated by sophisticated collection. The lines are clean, well tailored and extremely chic. If all our garments can be made that way, maybe we wouldn't produce 68lbs of textile waste a year?
This dress is my favourite of the entire collection.
Taking on the 68lbs challenge by no means is a small feat. It is nice to see more wearable pieces down the run way. Perhaps Evan will do a sophomore collection next season.
Day one has been absolutely amazing, but the show is nowhere near over yet. Check the website for live streaming of future shows.
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