Hundred Lives of Levi’s: A Sustainable Fashion Showcase

When it comes to sustainable fashion in Vancouver, few stories are as inspiring as that of photographer and designer Deanna Flinn. What started as a high school hobby—breaking her first sewing machine on denim—has turned into a full-fledged creative journey rooted in upcycling, thrifting, and slow fashion.

I first met Deanna when I was working at Dress for Success Vancouver, where she was volunteering her time and talent. Even then, her creativity and generosity stood out. As an advocate of slow fashion, I’m fascinated by how she has transformed discarded pieces into a spectacle of beautiful, wearable art.

Growing up in Halifax, Deanna hunted for treasures at church bazaars, Frenchies, and weekend yard sales. Years later, she stumbled across a Facebook Marketplace ad that changed everything: 100 pairs of damaged Levi’s for $1 each. Heavy to haul, but priceless in potential, those jeans became the foundation of her collection “Hundred Lives of Levi’s.”

Every outfit in the show is an original, hand-sewn design created from repurposed denim. With help from fellow makers, Deanna transformed what many would consider waste into wearable art. For her, slow fashion isn’t a trend—it’s a way of thinking about personal style and consumption. She wants people to see that what we wear doesn’t have to cost the earth, or end up in a landfill. — Christina

Event Details: Hundred Lives of Levi’s

📍 REVIVAL Vintage, 2408 Main Street, Vancouver

🗓 Preview Runway + Fashion Show

5:00–5:30pm Welcome and Collection Preview

5:45–6:30pm Fashion Show at Gertrude Guerin Plaza

6:30–7:00pm Collection Available for Purchase

🗓 Collection Preview: September 2–10

🗓 Purchase Available: September 11 onward at REVIVAL

Thank you to the City of Vancouver for your support and sponsorship of City of Vancouver’s Tiny Spaces Program.

Event Tickets HERE