Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) celebrated its 25th season - a week of international designers and style - with an extravagant opening gala. Opened officially by the office of the Mayor of Vancouver, founder and producer, Jamal Abdourahman was presented with a special certificate from the country's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.

The gala catered to a full house of media (including ELLE Canada, ELLE China, ELLE Mexico, Harper's Bazaar China, Marie Claire China and more), buyers, designers and fashion influencers. VFW's 66 international and local designers all participated by showing a single look on the runway finished with each designer, both men's and women's ready-to-wear, taking a turn on the catwalk with a key look from their collection. Highlights included Vancouver local, Alex S. Yu and Chinese label, ILOVECHOC. It was an exclusive chance to get an inside glimpse of what the week will hold.

Tuesday the 17th of March, the first day of shows featured ten renowned local and international designers: JUKOJulie, Grandi's Atelier, Megally Guillen, Grama, Teresa Chen, Nasty Habit, Alex S. Yu, ILOVECHOC, YKS, and Connally McDougall.

The world's fifth largest fashion week will continue everyday until the evening of Sunday the 22nd of March.