In Victoria, the Christmas shopping season is heralded as much by craft fairs as it is by gingerbread soy lattes and strings of lights downtown.

The long tradition of selling shortbread packed in sparkly cellophane and crocheted snowflakes starched into ornamental stiffness has, more recently, been interrupted by a different kind of Christmas bazaar: Fashion markets.

The holiday fashion market hosts local and B.C. designers of everything from clothing and accessories to housewares and art. They are often, but not always, characterized by boozy cocktails, a night-time party atmosphere and things your girlfriend (wife/mom/ sister) will love forever -- or at least until Valentine's Day.

Igloo kicks off the fashion market season with a new venue and roster of exciting designers from Vancouver Island and the mainland on Saturday. In its second year, Igloo is organized by local designers Marcy Ross (Morena) and Cory Judge (Shi Studio). It will be a licensed event held at the Marriott Ballroom, with tapas, DJs, a light show and roaming fashion models. Some of Victoria's most popular designers will exhibit, as well as exciting new designers from Vancouver. Today we look at three Vancouver designers worthy of note.

TRUDY WYNANS -- TOODLEBUNNY

Adornment from nature

Trudy Wynans (a.k.a. Toodles, Toots or Toodlebunny) was born and raised in Port Alberni and attended Malaspina University College before moving to Vancouver in 1995. She describes her designs as "an imaginative jewelry collection with feminine yet edgy pieces."

"I draw my inspiration from nature's flora and fauna, evidenced by the use of birds, leaves and tusks that have become signatures of my designs," she said. "The pieces vary from being simple and pretty to ones that are a bit more rock 'n' roll."

What materials do you use?

"I work mostly in 14-karat gold fill and combine with Swarovski crystals, charms, semiprecious stones, carved bone, brass and horn. I have recently started a collection of one of a kind and 'one of a few' pieces created exclusively from reclaimed vintage bits and baubles."

What kind of exposure has your work had?

"Juno-nominated Ndidi Onukwulu wore one of my necklaces on the red carpet at the Juno awards this year. She was also featured as one of 30 of Canada's most influential women and wore one of my cuffs for the photo shoot in the October (2009) edition of Flare magazine.

"I also just recently found out that Kim Basinger picked up three of my necklaces from a store in Yaletown while she was here filming The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud."

More details at: toodlebunny.com/press

Toodlebunny is available at Rebel Rebel, Oscar and Libby's and will be at the Out of Hand and Noel Bazaar fashion markets.

TERRI POTRATZ -- LARRY DESIGNS

Inspired by Cariboo

A few years back, Terri Potratz was having no luck finding a chunky, oversize scarf, so she decided to learn to knit one herself.

"I had so many people stopping me on the street asking me about this 14-foot long scarf, and where they could buy one, that the wheels started turning. I got to wondering if I should start making more and selling them," said Potratz, 26, who graduated in 2006 from the University of Victoria. "My family and I camp up in the Cariboo region every summer and that year I had met a woman who owns an alpaca farm near 100 Mile House. I knew that if I was going to start a scarf business, I wanted to draw from local resources. So I bought some raw alpaca fibre from the ranch, found a little spinning mill on Saltspring Island that could process and spin the fibre into yarn for me, and off I went."

What started you in fashion?

"Larry began as a side business to fashion writing, but over the last year has grown at such an incredible rate that I mainly write for my own style blog now: theconveyorbelt.com."

Is there a philosophy behind your work?

"This year I was particularly inspired by the Cariboo itself: Dusty summer evenings that darken to a star-filled sky bigger than you'll ever see from the city. Crisp, cool fall afternoons where you curl up lakeside with a book or good friends. The history of the region and the first homesteaders. Family and wood-burning stoves. To me, Larry is the warmth of nostalgia, and I hope that protective and reassuring quality is woven into every piece I make."

KIM CATHERS -- KDON

Sassy designs use recycled fabrics

You might recognize Vancouver designer Kim Cathers from last season's Project Runway Canada. She made it to the final four and was known for her sassiness and deconstructed designs.

Breaking things down to rebuild them is Cather's style. The 30-year-old, originally from Sherwood Park, Alta., is passionate about recycling and gets many materials from Our Social Fabric in Vancouver.

What led to her current career?

"I have always made my own clothing, from way back in junior high when I was in a big hippie phase that somehow lasted most of my life. I was altering jeans into bell bottoms and re-styling vintage clothes to have a better fit.

"In my early 20s I started travelling around to music festivals and farmer's markets selling my wares. Eventually my ambition led me to Vancouver. I enrolled in fashion school to get technical pattern-making skills. Shortly after graduating and winning a design award, I opened a store in Gastown (now closed) and have been creating my line ever since. It's been a long and windy road but I wouldn't trade this journey for anything."

---

FASHION MARKETS

- Igloo: Saturday, noon - 11 p.m., at the Marriot Ballroom, 728 Humboldt St. Free entry before 5 p.m. with a can of food for the Mustard Seed food bank. $5 entry after 5 p.m ($1 toward the Mustard Seed).

- Out of Hand: Nov. 20 (noon - 9 p.m.), 21 (noon - 6 p.m.) and 22 (noon - 5 p.m.) at the Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas St. Admission $6-8. The 21st year for a traditional craft fair with a contemporary touch.

- Rock, Rock, Rock 'n' Roll market: Saturday, Nov. 28, 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., at Logan's Pub (1821 Cook St.). $5/8. Crafts, beer and bands (Angry Snowmans and Blackie and the Triumphs).

- Hemma Made: Saturday, Nov. 28, 5 - 10 p.m., at Hemma (1274 May St.). Free. Artisans, designers and crafty people.

- Noel Bazaar: Dec. 1 (5 - 9 p.m.), 2, and 3 (2 - 9 p.m.), at the Victoria Event Centre (2-1415 Broad St.). The premier holiday fashion market is in its seventh year. Hosted by Rebel Rebel boutique, featuring more than 25 designers; admission by donation to benefit Sandy Merriman House.

Also, in the interest of holiday cheer:

- Cure for Coats: On Dec. 5 Lab Salons (541 Johnson St.) is offering free haircuts in exchange for winter coats, to be donated to Our Place. Details: labsalon.blogspot.com/