Kitsilano Kitty's Explores Love in a Time of Dystopia

Vancouver, Canada, July 04, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The evening was warm and breezy, the sun was setting on the spectacular Vancouver skyline and sound of playing children filled the air. What better setting for a graduation for all the hard working students of JCI (John Casablancas Institute) than a veritable utopia?

Soon the mingling area became crowded, stifling in fact, whether it was planned or not, this pre-show atmosphere was just a taste of what was to come! Soon the curtains parted and within seconds the folding chairs were full. Those left standing found themselves stuck in a post apocalyptic world set of chaos with nowhere to turn but to the black unlit corners of their own personal dystopia.

The runway was strewn with metal barrels, wooden crates, broken car parts, smashed lamps and bags of garbage. An atomic bomb projection looped over and over reminding us of the conditions of life in this ‘world’. A life characterized by poverty, oppression, war, violence, disease, pollution and the abridgment of human rights.

MC Raymond Liens spoke to the hard work, diligence and creative talents of the graduating class and the struggles they face before handing the microphone to a representative from the Covenant House. The Covenant House was the local charity benefiting from the net proceeds of event ticket sales. They learned that on any given night there are between 500 and 1,000 homeless youth on our streets. The Covenant House provides them with counseling, job search assistance, housing, food, a safe place to sleep and so much more.

The lights dimmed and music of the disenchanted began to play. Models slunk out of a darkened doorway wearing a mix of thrifted and student designed garments, some armed with homemade spike weapons, others with gas masks. The footwear was sky high, the eyes blackened and the hair frizzed out as only post-apocalyptic acid rain could style it. Black was definitely the new black with accents of animal print, denim, faux fur, leather, and tulle. Accessories included crowns of silver, dirty looking silk flowers garlands and giant metallic skull necklaces by designer Carolyn Bruce.

Whether in the context of Dystopia or covering the backs of their generations’ malcontents, the distressed and sometimes destroyed garments were ruggedly chic and very wearable. The students definitely have developed eye for thrifting and have proven that sustainable fashion can be at the heart of an eye-opening event and can further the ‘fashion with a conscience’ ethic.

The final student to show was Jerome Insorio, familiar to everyone from his participation in the Eco Fashion Week 08’s Value Village sponsored Thrift Chic Challenge. His models were clothed in jet black burlap so new you could smell the jute as they glided in by. Skirts alternated between being long and binding to short and seductive, sheer tops and nipple daisies gave you a glimpse but never the goods.

The closing look of the evening by Kaylee O'Neil was a slouchy Dystopian queen in grungy black. She wore a ragged tulle skirt, black cotton sports bra, a tarnished crown and a waist length necklace that doubled as body armour with sharp points, chains and shoulder guards. This queen may have appeared frail but had a look in her eyes that would make even the hardest post-apocalyptic punk put down her bloody baseball bat and kneel.

Instructor and renowned LADY fashion stylist, Gian Carlo Umahon glowed as he watched the models exit said “I am very proud of the Graduating Class 144, they pulled it off! They have captured the beauty in Chaos for sure, from the set, styling, hair and make-up. They worked very hard and are very talented individuals! I am a proud mama, having the privilege to be one of their instructors. I look forward to what they get into in the future!”

The full version of this release was originally published in OlioByMarilyn.com Fashion & Lifestyle Blog by guest blogger Helen Siwak of KitsilanoKittysCloset.com an online boutique of preloved luxury fashion.