On Saturday, September 20, 2025, Kelowna lit up with one of its most anticipated creative events — Kelowna Fashion Week’s Runway Show & Rooftop Concert. As a Kelowna fashion photographer, I had the privilege of capturing the energy, artistry, and vibrant community that makes this event so unforgettable.
From bold runway looks to the live rooftop concert that followed, these photos (85 in total) tell the story of designers pushing boundaries, models owning the stage, and Kelowna itself shining as a hub for fashion and creativity.
👉 Learn more about the festival itself on the official Kelowna Fashion Week website
What Makes Kelowna Fashion Week Unique?
Kelowna Fashion Week (KFW) is more than just clothes and models. It’s a platform for sustainable fashion, inclusive representation, and emerging talent. From diverse models to designers who prioritize craftsmanship and sustainability, the event celebrates the people and ideas shaping the future of fashion.
The Saturday evening show was the perfect blend of elegance and energy — with the Innovation Centre runway transformed into a vibrant stage for creativity. The night ended with the Rooftop Concert, proving that KFW is as much about community as it is about couture.
Designers from the Runway Show
Here’s a look at the incredible designers and creatives whose work appeared during the 6:00–7:30 PM Runway Show.
DreamStill
-
About: DreamStill is a sustainable fashion house founded by Mars Moreira and Khushi Khosla. They focus on circular textiles and reducing waste in the fashion industry. Their mission: “Inspire and enable people and industries to create a net zero future of textiles.”
-
Why it stood out: DreamStill’s runway looks fused sustainability with style. Flowing silhouettes and eco-conscious fabrics turned heads.
-
Links:
Dani Ortman
-
About: Dani Ortman is a textile artist and handweaver known for her botanical dyes, handwoven scarves, and artisan textiles. Each piece is created through a slow, intentional process.
-
Why it stood out: Dani’s runway pieces showcased rich textures and earthy colors — proof that traditional techniques and sustainability can shine on the modern runway.
-
Links:
Amy Rafferty
-
About: Amy Rafferty participated in KFW’s sustainable fashion showcase earlier in the day, but her runway presence brought those values directly to the stage. While her digital footprint is still emerging, her voice in the conversation around sustainability was an important part of the event.
-
Why it stood out: Amy’s collection emphasized wearable, responsible fashion that felt approachable yet elevated.
-
Links: (to be updated as her site / socials become available)
Alice Scheuerman (Brand Identity Mentor)
-
About: While not debuting a collection, Alice Scheuerman’s presence during the week was important. As founder of RAON Agency, she helps creatives build authentic brand identities.
-
Connection to the show: Alice’s guidance for emerging designers helped shape the way many presented their collections on the runway.
-
Links:
Photo Highlights from the Runway Show
(Insert your 85 photos here — ideally in a lightbox gallery with captions. Use descriptive filenames like “kelowna-fashion-photographer-dreamstill-runway.jpg” and alt text such as “DreamStill design on the runway at Kelowna Fashion Week 2025.”)
Sample captions you could use:
-
“Eco-conscious elegance: DreamStill’s collection on the Innovation Centre runway.”
-
“Handwoven textures by Dani Ortman brought warmth and depth to the evening show.”
-
“Bold silhouettes under the rooftop lights — fashion meets music in Kelowna.”
These photos aren’t just visuals — they’re stories of the creativity thriving here in the Okanagan.
Why the Runway Show Matters
The Runway Show & Rooftop Concert is a highlight of Kelowna Fashion Week because it bridges fashion, music, and community. Here’s why it matters:
-
Platform for Emerging Designers – Local and Canadian designers get visibility on a bigger stage.
-
Sustainability in Focus – With names like DreamStill and Dani Ortman, the conversation about fashion’s future is happening here in Kelowna.
-
Inclusive Representation – Models of diverse ages, sizes, and backgrounds highlight KFW’s commitment to inclusivity.
-
Unforgettable Atmosphere – As the sun set, the rooftop concert capped off the night with music, movement, and energy.
Behind the Lens: A Kelowna Fashion Photographer’s Perspective
Shooting fashion isn’t only about getting the outfit in frame — it’s about capturing the story. For me, that meant balancing:
-
Lighting changes between runway spotlights and the natural evening glow.
-
Capturing movement — fabric sways, confident walks, audience reactions.
-
Telling a story — every designer had a vision, and my role was to translate that visually.
Being a Kelowna fashion photographer at an event like this is both challenging and rewarding. It’s about adapting quickly, staying creative, and letting each photo showcase the passion behind the clothes.
Internal Resources: Explore More Hiilite Photography
If you enjoyed this gallery, check out more of our fashion and event photography:
Each of these resources shows how our team at Hiilite brings professional photography to life — whether you’re a designer, business, or event organizer.
External Links & Resources
For more on Kelowna Fashion Week and the designers:
Final Thoughts
The Runway Show & Rooftop Concert was more than a spectacle — it was a celebration of Kelowna’s growing fashion scene. From the sustainable innovation of DreamStill to the handwoven artistry of Dani Ortman, the night proved that Kelowna belongs on the fashion map.
As a Kelowna Fashion Photographer, I’m proud to help tell these stories — through images that capture not just style, but the spirit of the people behind it.
👉 If you were at the show, I’d love to hear from you in the comments: Which designer’s collection spoke to you most?
