Vancouver Fashion Week: The fall/Winter 2013 season kicked off Tuesday, March 19, with an opening gala event at the Hotel Four Seasons Vancouver. Designer collections will storm the runway at the Chinese Cultural Centre, March 20-24. Visit www.vanfashionweek.com for a complete show schedule.
Spring fashion event: Ambleside clothing boutique Gerry Weber will celebrate its first year in business with an in-store event from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 23, featuring informal modelling of spring clothing and accessories from the German fashion and lifestyle brand. Space is limited so call in advance to reserve your spot: 604-922-9144.
Portobello West launches its seventh season the weekend of March 23-24, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Creekside Community Centre in the Athlete's Village, 1 Athlete's Way, Vancouver, where visitors can shop for locally made art, clothing, accessories and sweets. New this year is a silent auction program to support local charities such as Dress for Success. Admission is $2.
Store opening: Minichiello's Custom Tailoring is celebrating the opening of its new location at 101-118 East 2nd St., North Vancouver and will be showing off the new shop on Saturday, March 23 between 3 to 5 p.m.
2013 Show Off event: A celebration of hair fashion is taking place on Monday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at the Vogue Theatre, 918 Granville St., Vancouver. The Show Off event is in association with
presenting sponsor L'Oréal Professionnel, charity sponsor Goldwell/KMS Ca, community sponsor AG Hair and main media sponsor CityTV. Visit beautycouncil.ca for information.
Runaway with Style: Women in Leadership will host a fashion show and shopping event featuring Jacqueline Conoir and JAC by Vancouver designer RozeMerie Cuevas on Thursday, April 4, 6: 30-9: 30 p.m. The event will be at JC Studio on West Sixth Avenue and include a trend talk by Cuevas, presentation of the spring-summer collection and opportunity to shop the runway after the show. Admission in includes a glass of champagne, appetizers and entry into door prize draws. Prizes include a pair of tickets to the Jacqueline Conoir fall fashion show and a custom House of Bun pearl necklace by designer Carola Bun. Tickets, $50, for purchase at womeninleadership-vancouver. com. Thrifty chic: The Thrift Shop at Mount Seymour United Church (1200 Parkgate Ave., just off Mount Seymour Parkway) is open Thursdays, 2-8 p.m.
Make way for spring fashions by clearing out unwanted clothing and accessories and donating them to the Canadian Diabetes Association's Clothesline program. Clothesline accepts gently used clothing, all cloth-based items, shoes, boots, books, toys and more. Visit diabetes.ca for dropoff locations.
North Shore Needle Arts Guild meets the second Thursday of the month and offers instruction in embroidery and beading at St. Martin's Anglican Church hall in North Vancouver. Info: 604-922-4032.
Fashion File is a weekly column. Priority is given to North Shore events and organizations. If your business or charity is planning an event, send your information as early as possible to lchristensen@ nsnews.com.