Blanche Macdonald Graduate Fashion Show - Behind the Scenes

Nearly 1200 guests are enjoying the pre-show festivities

Just over a week ago, Blanche Macdonald Centre hosted their largest graduate fashion show ever at the Westin Bayshore hotel in Vancouver. As one of many beaming grads I thought the show was incredibly well organized and ran smoothly with a few small glitches that went virtually unnoticed. The pre-show backstage scene was slightly more frantic, but organizers remained collected and students were happy to participate in the excitement.

Graduates Katie Bedford, Marianne Chow, Okalani Leblanc, and Nicole Tomney backstage

Graduate Mickelli Orbe

Graduates Kaitlyn Kuipers, Alicia Riguzzi, Jillian Rothert and Desiree Henke

Behind the scenes, dressers helped models into garments and accessories

students explained complex designs to dressers

organizers like Peggy Morrison, Executive Fashion Program Director (right)
kept their cool while tending to last minute details

models were finishing up in makeup and hair

The security crew was excellent and quickly turned away more than one potential backstage-crasher. Prior to showtime grads tested the runway, which I found to be narrow and a bit shaky at first, but at the end of the show I enjoyed the walk with my fellow grads and felt a sense of accomplishment...if the runway was shaking I certainly didn't notice. From the buzz it seems that most grads had a wonderful experience and were happy to end a tough school year in a memorable and positive way. Congratulations to Blanche Macdonald's 2009 Fashion Design Program Graduates!

All photos courtesy of Peter Jensen