On the local fashion front, Jamal Abdourahman is somewhat of a pioneer.Immigrating to Canada from East Africa in 1990, he landed in Toronto but was soon lured to the idyllic West Coast, enchanted by the environs. Three years later, he made Vancouver his permanent home and, with a background in fashion shows to make money as a student, Jamal began jet-setting to the various fashion capitals of the world for inspiration. These included Hong Kong, New York and London.In 2000, he collaborated with a friend to create the first International Fashion Week.
He would continue the event on his own and rebrand it as Vancouver Fashion Week in 2002.Now in its 23rd year, VFW ranks as the fastest-growing fashion week in the world.“I am incredibly proud,” he says, of this major accomplishment. “It took a long time and it’s been a slow and extensive process and really made me want to help local and international, emerging designers.
“Because it took me so long I understand how challenging it is. It makes me even more determined and driven to open doors for others.” The Jamal Abdourahman story is clearly one of drive, determination and unparalleled success.Fluent in three languages and able to converse in 25 others, Jamal initially attended college with the plan to work for the United Nations and travel the world.Instead, Vancouver Fashion Week created the stage for him to showcase talented local and international designers to reach global markets, fashion media types and industry buyers.
“I am incredibly proud. It took a long time… and really made me want to help local and international, emerging designers.”
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“ Vancouver is so international and is recognized for its influences by diverse cultures bringing creative dynamism.”
It also opened the worldwide doors to designers who can’t show at the big events, such as London, Paris, Milan and New York. Abdourahman recognized the immense potential of Vancouver’s diverse fashion landscape and determined he wanted to create a platform to support these talented local individuals. “Vancouver is on the fashion radar because of the multiculturalism of the city,” he notes.
“Vancouver is so international and is recognized for its infl uences by diverse cultures bringing creative dynamism. “This has built a vibrant fashion ecosystem pushing Vancouver onto the fashion radar. If you look around the city, the signals are there: Gastown, Main Street and Fourth Avenue in particular host so many independent fashion boutiques, showcasing our city’s love and understanding of fashion. “Also, VFW is the largest fashion showcase in North America, following only New York Fashion Week. The city is evolving in the fashion industry and onto the global stage.”Locals who have made their name and built a following through Vancouver Fashion Week, include Alex S. Yu, who celebrated his brand’s 10th anniversary on the stage where he started, marking his return from his recent showcase at New York Fashion Week.
“I explore the fi ne line between reality and fantasy,” says Yu, who made his Vancouver Fashion Week debut in 2014, after graduating from the London College of Fashion.His 2024 showcase marked exactly 3,688 days since his brand’s debut, which “rolics the happy emotions of childhood, nostalgia and wanderlust.”“I ponder the very defi nition of femininity in a modern and quirky way through garments,” he adds. “The Alex S. Yu girl loves to have fun and isn’t afraid of trying new things.”Peggy Morrison has had a long affi liation with Vancouver Fashion Week, having spent the last four decades evolving her role to the summit of Executive Program Director, at the Blanche Macdonald Centre.
Jason Mackay, VFW Director of Global Partnerships
St. George’s Junior Class of 2036 parents: l-r Julia Nortan, Sabine Martz, Maggie Aron, Pilar Wong, Aileen Iloreta
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As a trailblazer in the fashion community of the Pacifi c Northwest, Morrison teaches Fashion Elements and Awareness and is now in her fi fth decade of ushering Blanche Macdonald graduates into the heart of the local industry. “I’ve been a regular attendee at Vancouver Fashion Week for many years,” she says. “For the most part this has been in support of students and grads of BMC who have chosen to show their collections.”
Noting how she has witnessed fi rsthand, to seeing the annual event grow, venues changing and participants increase.“It’s become a huge draw and this year was amazing. It’s exciting and certainly an important opportunity and show space for aspiring designers and others,” she says. “And I must add that I’m personally grateful for the two awards they’ve given to me in recent years.”
Jamal Abdourahman is already teeming with ideas and concepts for future Vancouver Fashion Week events; while racking up more than 1,000,000 air miles in global promotion of Vancouver’s thriving complement of designers. “We have fi nished another exciting year, culminating in our recent Spring/Summer 2025 showcase that occurred in October of this year,” he says.
“We hold our six-day Fashion Weeks twice a year during Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter seasons at David Lam Hall. “Here we showcase numerous designers ranging from local to global talent.”
“ It’s exciting and certainly an important opportunity and show space for aspiring designers and others.”
