As the weather warms up, we in Saskatoon start planning for our festival season. A question looms, “What are YOU going to wear?” Well the Saskatoon Fashion & Design Festival has you covered. This weekend (June 4 & 5, 2016) marks the 5th anniversary of the SFDF.

This year, organizers have shuffled things around in the closet a bit setting aside the high end runway show for the Fall to focus more on a festival atmosphere. SFDF Pose will now be a full day event (Sunday June 5, 11a.m. – 6p.m.) on River Landing. “We wanted to keep that fresh, funky energy in the Spring,” explains festival co-founder Jacqueline Conway. “Pose is a multi-disciplinary event. We combine fashion shows with music, dance, a designer and artisan marketplace and even a beauty bar.”

“We wanted to keep that fresh, funky energy in the Spring”

The full day fashion event will feature shows by designers like Dean Renwick, Melissa Squire and Tara Atkins. Conway says it’s paramount to highlight local designers. “Local fashion reflects who we are and where we live.” She continues, “Locally designed fashion adds interest and vitality to the market. It improves our economy, the environment and our community as a whole.”

Conway says she’s proud her closet holds several locally made treasures including a custom-made tutu skirt by Laurie Brown. “Wearing it is a point of pride,” explains Conway. “It’s really different than something I would’ve bought in a store. The artist had me, personally in mind when creating this piece and that makes it really special.”

The SFDF weekend kicks off Saturday with a mixer at Metric Design Centre tickets for that are $10. SFDF Pose runs Sunday on Riverlanding and that event is free of charge… but bring some $$ to buy your own locally made treasures.

More info here.