In Bed With Leroy |

Dear Readers,

Every Thursday, yours truly, writes a column about the escapades I have while trying to get the best most personal stories about the edgiest and most haute up and coming designers, artists, activists; whatever you throw at me in this beautiful home we call Vancouver.

These coming weeks, Mama has got surprises for you! Including a fashion video, interviews, photoshoots and details about how you can copy the runway trends for less! We have shoots coming up with famed Vancouver burlesque performers, FringeFest alumni as well as a TV host, here and there.

But this week, Leroy has for you the revolution of the century. Many may have heard. Madonna certainly did. But Russia, as of late, has become a political hotseat. By denying anyone in said country of gay rights, exhibition of any “gay propaganda”, Russia has become quite the tourist destination. Even peaceful protests by all-girl bands like “Pussy Riot” have been sentenced behind bars for speaking out against said injustices. But now, wo-man has created a revolution in an inspiration. Through fashion, the female designers of Russian Fashion Week, have been anything but quiet.

Through the dark times of World War, womyn fought back by expressing themselves. Never a species to stay quiet, a bold red lip became symbols of patriotism. Now, in 2012, in times of trouble, mainly the Fall/Winter season, geometric prints and extreme architectural details like spiked origami shoulders are symbols of freedom. This is freedom fashion.

With the rights of many in the Russian fashion community squandered, designers and models alike fought back against Conservative regimes with fearless, forward fashion Putin would hate.

There was Julia Nikolaeva’s bohemnian and tomboyish fits in dresses and jackets.

Olga Shikhova was as gay as Peter Pan with her patent leather, heavy silk or vinyl Peter Pan collars which seem like accesories fit for a queen.

Poustovit certainly did not stay quiet with strategic uses of a geometric print, casually placed on just a side to accencuate the waist.

The label Tegin created old world fantasy on stage with flowly gowns of bright orange and hot pink which seem to come out of a fairy-tale.

And Yez, possible most eccentric of them all, managed to form these origami shapes embellished onto a patterned trench coat of a dress.

So needless to say, in times of forced festivity by political parties; the world crumps back.

It is so nice to see a clear example of a fashion revolution and ideas from all these designers of what a womyn can and will be. Womyn or queen, female or femme, the world of fashion has always been an artform that speaks out against injustices.

Some may see a baggy pant. Some may see mistake after mistake. But in fashion, it is not always about sex appeal but about freedom. It is not about just being beautiful, or being eccentric, but what you would have to say, visually.

So again, some may see a bra matched with a high waisted jegging as high-priced hooker-wear or a pair of silk harem pants as a disaster. But in this war of strategically scripted political words, when I go to a fashion show, all I see is armour.

With love and freedom fashion,

Leroy Wan