This was my 4th time presenting at Vancouver Fashion Week, but the first time without a live audience. It was also the first time we’ve ever had to wear masks backstage (thankfully last season’s papaya print works perfectly as a face covering!). This was a completely different experience and presented a whole set of new challenges.

Instead of the usual venue in Chinatown, this year’s show took place at the Richmond Gaming Centre (yes, it’s exactly what is sounds like… a place where they hold events for gamers). This switch was made to give us more space backstage and since the show was being held via livestream, location was less important. When Rebecca and I arrived we were met with the usual forms and temperature scan (and a doorman who flatteringly mistook my 5’2” self as a model).

Fittings were slightly different as had to do it 3 models at a time, rather than all at once, which was nice in some ways but also very difficult to accomplish over the span of only 2 hours. The amazing team made everything happen, from the Redken hair team creating the insanely beautiful braids (thank you Ken for taking note from past seasons of my love for braids) to the backstage team running dress rehearsals and the show timing.

Check out these Photos taken by George Pimentel behind the scenes of FAUN’s Spring/Summer 2021 collection debut at Vancouver Fashion Week.