It’s September 28th, a Wednesday night in the capital, but not a regular weekday like any other because this day marks the launch of an official week of fashion with Ottawa Fashion Week (OFW). This year, Ottawa Fashion Week premiered in style at Ottawa’s The Arc Hotel.  If the launch party was any indication of what’s in store for the week, then it’s safe to say that the nation’s capital is in for a stylish treat.

Joel Bedford and Justyna Baraniecki, photo by Q3 Studios

All of the city’s fashion lovers were present to celebrate the beginning of the chic event. OFW organizers were excited for the upcoming week, but they were not alone~ the anticipation of the crowd was palatable. With few other events of this calibre in the city, the excitement for OFW was truly electric. The Arc provided an excellent venue for such anticipation. The champagne (pink, of course) was lovely, the hors d’oeuvres were delicious, the company excellent and the energy was high. A great start to a fabulous fashion event in the city!

Ottawa Fashion Week, in its sixth season to date, is a venue for both local and international designers and talent to showcase their work and artistry. With over 20 designers signed up to showcase this year, including locals Rachel Sin, Travis Taddeo and Jeanne Beker’s EDIT line, it is no surprise that OFW has been hailed as “a venue of expression, creativity and innovation”, on both the local scale and beyond. Starting Thursday, September the 29th and continuing on until Sunday October the 2nd, the  event promises to facilitate the creativity of designers, various business opportunities for members of the fashion and art community as well as general audience and fashion-lovers alike.

Mingling guests, photo by Q3 Studios

This year, OFW makes the move  from the National Art Gallery to the Ottawa Convention Centre, which is located in the heart of the city, with easy access to the city’s best hotels, restaurants and bars. The Ottawa Convention Centre is “a recently re-vamped architectural landmark that boasts a sweeping glass facade” and an unparalleled view of the Rideau Canal, Parliament and the Chateau Laurier.

For more information and tickets check out the OFW website at: http://www.ottawafashionweek.ca/

*Featured image by Hugh Durant of Boakview Studios