Bahar Kianpour is one of two recipients of the 2024 of the prestigious Blanche Macdonald Centre Award for Excellence for Fashion Design. Up to three exceptional students are honoured annually with this award, giving them the opportunity to showcase their collections at Vancouver Fashion Week 2024.
The selection criteria include academic performance, talent, commitment, growth, and creative vision. The winners receive a year of mentorship from our distinguished faculty, access to our facilities, and a sponsored fashion show – a crucial milestone for emerging designers in the fashion industry.
Bahar marked this milestone with her collection BK 001- The Forgotten Poet. Inspired by the intricate interplay between dream and reality, memories, and emotions, the collection delves into the depths of love, sorrow, and sadness, and embodies a delicate balance between light and dark, fantasy and truth with a touch of poetry and art.
“The romanticism and haunted beauty in her garments are amplified by her unprecedented attention to detail.”
Editorial in Selin Magazine
In preparation for this year’s Vancouver Fashion Week 2024, Bahar worked alongside Tyler Udall, the Executive Director of Fashion Design at Blanche Macdonald, renowned fashion designer and instructor Evan Clayton, and Emma Ireland Shepherd, the Program Manager for Fashion Design & Marketing. Together, they refined Bahar’s collection into remarkable pieces showcased to an enthusiastic audience.
Tyler explains that the Blanche Macdonald Centre Fashion Design Program is an intense, yet incredibly rewarding journey. “We take students with little to no sewing experience and in 12 short months, they are producing runway-ready garments. To say it’s impressive would be an understatement. We have put together a diverse group of industry-relevant instructors who make up an integral part of our illustrious faculty. Students who come here are supported by myriad resources and talent. If you have the spirit and the dedication, we can take you places beyond your expectations.”
In addition, Tyler shares, “Seeing a designer through to their debut runway show is a journey full of highs and lows and certainly not for the faint of heart, but seeing the expression and feeling of ultimate pride and accomplishment on the designers’ faces once it’s done, is a gift I’ll cherish forever.”
“Bahar Kianpour is a quiet force of nature who lets her clothing do most of the talking,” Tyler remarks. “The romanticism and haunted beauty in her garments are amplified by her unprecedented attention to detail. Yes, her clothes look stunning on the runway, but when you see the intricate beading, weaving, crochet and custom 3D appliqué work, up close and personal, you realize what a serious player she is. I am very excited to see where Bahar goes from here.”
“My journey through BMC was an incredible blend of learning, growth, and endless inspiration,” reflects Bahar. “The supportive and inspiring environment made my time both rewarding and unforgettable. Being chosen as an emerging designer showed me that I'm on the right path in pursuing a fashion career. It showed that my passion and hard work are valued in the industry, motivating me to keep growing as a designer.”
