The competitive nature of the fashion industry makes it incredibly difficult for a graduate in the field to catch a break, which is why an award like this is so important.

Worth over $10,000, the Graduate Award is designed to give a grad all they need to launch their fashion line, including one year at Portobello West Fashion and Art Market, a website, a professional photo shoot by Alfonso Arnold of Blue Lava Studios, PR support by GTWO-PR and a membership and starter kit of eco-friendly fabrics from SYKA Textiles.

One of these four finalists will be named the winner this Sunday, August 26th at Portobello West as the popular fashion and art market celebrates its first anniversary. If you’re coming up to a graduation yourself, you need to go to the event this weekend at the Rocky Mountaineer Station and find out how you can qualify for their next Graduate Award:

Shaina Webb Designs
Designer: Shaina Webb
Fashion School: The Art Institute of Vancouver
Description of Line: Unique garments drawing on inspirations from the past for a progressive future

Ora Designs
Designer: Randi Obenauer
Fashion School: Helen LeFeaux School of Fashion Design
Description of Line: Innovative, hand crafted leather bags produced from leather scraps from a local furniture manufacturer

Freja Designs
Designer: Anita Heiberg
Fashion School: Kwantlen College
Description of Line: Inspired by the 1920s, 30s and 40s with Scandinavian simplicity. The line uses menswear fabrics and leather in soft feminine silhouettes to make an impactful contradiction of styles

Bad Apple Fashions
Designer Names: Carmen Merkel and Michelle Jerome
Fashion School: Kwantlen College
Description of Line: A visually enticing line, full of rich colours and texture. Additional texture is added through geometric or nature inspired prints as trim or appliqués

Unlike traditional farmers’ markets that sell grandma’s homemade jam, Portobello West is modelled after London artisan markets (namely Spitalfields and Camden) and aims to bring the local designers directly to the end consumer. Held the last Sunday of every month, Portobello West showcases the hottest local designers and artisans. Exhibits range from top names to new talents: there are dress makers, handbag designers, jewellers and boutiques that make fashion accessible – particularly Vancouver designers. It’s also a great place to find a distinctive piece for the home. With up to 100 designers on show, any fashionista can find something to suit their unique style.

Side Note: For this shoot, I discovered a new location that would benefit all you photographers out there! Studio 304 is a photography rental studio on Granville Street, minutes from equipment rental houses like Leo’s, labs and public transit. It’s open 7 days a week for half day and full day rentals. The 900 square foot space (23.5 W x 39 L with 12 ft ceilings) is designed specifically for photography, but it is also suitable for small-scale video and film shoots.