Immigrant, Indigenous fashion designers launch from VFW runway – Welland Tribune
April 6, 2022
Searching for a new life and career, South African immigrant Larainne Kaplan came to Vancouver in 2003 carrying two garbage bags full of clothing samples made by a family charity program near her former home in Cape Town.
“I wanted to pursue having a fashion business with a strong social responsibility component,” said Kaplan, who was transitioning from a 15-year career as a social worker in South Africa.
“And then I met him, and he helped me get my business going,” said Kaplan, pointing to Jamal Abdourahman, the founder of Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW), in an interview with New Canadian Media.
