Models walk the runway for menswear designer Lizares at Fashion Cures à la Mode.
Fashion Cures à la Mode, a four-day event in support of Ovarian Cancer Canada, began Wednesday night at St. John's Anglican Church on Somerset Street.
The shows of the event's launching night featured designs by Jason Meyers, Lizares, Las Valentias with Susana Frazo, Thieves, and local Ottawa designer Jefferson Sukhoo.
Meyers' designs began the night with his silk dresses in bold stripes and colours. Meyers' use of black and white headpieces that featured lace and chiffon created a vintage feel to many of the contemporary designs.
Meyers was followed by local designer Sukhoo that featured muted black and white pieces that were exceptionally feminine with his constant use of lace and sheer black fabrics.
The event plans to feature 19 runway shows in total and will showcase local designs by Kania Couture and Rachel Sin.
In addition to the runway shows, there is also a silent auction and a display of fashion photography.
Occasions such as Fashion Cures à la Mode are crucial for locals to showcase their work, said Jonathan Lorange, a local photographer who had work showcased at the first night of the event.
“Ottawa has never been a huge hub for fashion but with two fashion weeks last year and an event like this, the opinion of Canada’s capital lacking style may change,” said Lorange. “Any opportunity to show what our city’s fashion industry is capable of is essential for the designers and photographers who need exposure.”
The show took much dedication to create but it was worth it, said Samantha Moonsammy, a publicist for the event.
She said she hopes the event will enable people from the nation's capital and surrounding areas to become better educated about ovarian cancer.
Organizers plan to donate a percentage of the event's proceeds raised through sponsorship and ticket sales to Ovarian Cancer Canada.