VCC fashion arts grads present sophisticated collections at Fiat Mode XXIII

VANCOUVER, Sept. 23 /CNW/ - Twenty-one Vancouver Community College fashion arts graduates are preparing to highlight their design collections in an evening gala graduate show on Sept. 29 at the Rocky Mountaineer Station. This year's show brings together exceptionally sophisticated and polished designs.

"This particular group of students really developed their concepts further this year," says fashion arts program coordinator Judy Ho. "The designs are refined; constructions are sophisticated and subtle. The audience will see clever details that are often not obvious at first glance." Ho credits the combination of student creativity and the program's solid instruction on skills and technique.

Blake Hyland's pieces have stories to tell. Every piece from his collection is made from discarded and already-used materials, obtained from his job as a buyer for vintage clothing store, Mintage. "My inspiration is about people, places and things that have been forgotten, abandoned or discarded, but yet still have a lot of life, light and beauty to give," says Hyland.

Karen Niven's pieces also take cues from another time: "My collection was inspired by Manhattan in the 1950s, and glamorous movie stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly. The city life of yesteryear, along with its inhabitants and their glamorous lifestyles, were key factors in developing this collection."

The collection of Robynne Redgrave McPherson was influenced by forces both whimsical and menacing. "I was inspired by invisible and spiritual strings of attachment and manipulation that bond human beings. Marionettes, suspension and puppetry influenced my collection," she says.

"Each designer brings his or her unique blend of background and creativity and we get to sit back at Fiat Mode and enjoy the results," says Sal Ferreras, VCC's dean of design and chair of the Fiat Mode planning committee.

Event details: Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 8 p.m., Rocky Mountaineer Station, 1755 Cottrell Street, Vancouver.

Complimentary media tickets are available for this event; photographs of collections and style descriptions are available now.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: Media can contact: Karen Wilson, Officer of Communications and Marketing, Student Recruitment, Vancouver Community College, Tel: [phone], [email protected]