CARINA ROSE DESIGNS AT VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK

CARINA ROSE DESIGNS AT VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK

Carina Rose Designs at Vancouver Fashion Week. Carina Rose’s recent show at Vancouver Fashion Week was a testament to her growing influence in the fashion industry. Her collection was showcased on April 27, marking a new chapter in her career. The runway was a canvas for her designs, and the models were the storytellers, bringing to life the essence of “Mary’s Reckoning” with every step they took.

Carina’s journey into fashion is as unique as her designs. Growing up in Doune, she was surrounded by the enduring beauty of Scottish landscapes and the historical tapestry of her homeland. This environment nurtured her creative spirit and led her to delve into the world of fashion design, where she could express her love for her roots through her work.

Her approach to fashion is deeply rooted in her Scottish heritage, which she honors by incorporating traditional crafts into her designs. Carina’s commitment to sustainability is evident in her choice of materials, often using waste textiles and repurposing them into beautiful, wearable art.

CARINA ROSE DESIGNS AT VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK

A REVIEW

 Carina Rose’s latest collection, “Mary’s Reckoning,” draws inspiration from a powerful historical figure, Mary Queen of Scots. The collection is a modern interpretation of the queen’s legacy, embodying the strength and feminine empowerment that she represented. Carina has skillfully translated this inspiration into a striking array of designs that not only evoke the spirit of Mary Queen of Scots but also celebrate the beauty of Scotland.

I met Carina Rose at the side of the runway just after her show. Jovial and full of life, Carina’s spirit carried her vision onto the runway. An anecdote I promised I would tell was that Carina was ready to take her bow at the end of her show: ” I was just about on the runway when I realized that my dress had burst and was falling to my feet.” The humor with which this story was told gave me insights into the designer’s character.

Carina Rose’s collection came down the runway with rock’ n’ roll energy, which was reflected in the clothes. Carina said, ” 80 percent of the clothing on the runway is made from deadstock fabrics. My goal was to have 100 percent, but I had to settle for 80.”  This is an amazing accomplishment. Carina Rose’s brand is sustainable, slow fashion that is bespoke.

PHOTOS BY ARUN NEVADER 

COURTESY OF VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK

Carina Rose is a long way from her Doune Scotland home, but with her tartans and leather bodices she could transport us, the audience, to the bonnie hills of Scotland. The solid backgrounds allowed for the bright plaids to stand their ground. It is as if, at battle, a buttercup yellow mini dress is combined with a black tartan twisted around the body. The rough, outdoorsy leather bodices have unusual shapes that resemble shields or crests. Mary Queen of Scots is a powerful and forceful historical figure, well represented by these fiercely individual clothes. The tartans bring color and vitality to the edgy-cut dresses.

While only eight outfits make up the collection, this glimpse into the world of Carina Rose is full of inventive silhouettes, using her imagination to reinterpret tartan. The woolen fabric, whose stripes and patterns initially designated a specific clan, brings British country style to a cutting-edge aesthetic, providing a fusion of history and innovation. Once the go-to for the punk movement in the 70s, tartan here can still rouse a rebel vibe in 2024. In the tradition of other designers who have ventured into the world of tartans, and kilts and all things Scottish, Carina Rose has used her skills to rock the runway with a sustainable collection that , even post Brexit, proves that British style can have an international edge.

IN CONCLUSION 

I am a first-generation Canadian, with both my parents coming from Britain. The connection between Canada and Britain is strong, with many immigrants from England and Scotland. The Scottish heritage in Canada can still be seen as many communities host highland games and celebrate their ancestry. It was great to see a British designer here at Vancouver Fashion Week whose British heritage was integral to their design aesthetic. Celebrating diversity is, for me, one of the most vital elements of Vancouver Fashion Week, and a big thank you to Carina Rose for sharing her work.

CARINA ROSE AND I AT VANCOUVER FASHION WEEK

CIAO FOR NOW J. ANDREW JACKSON