About Nancy Mak

 

Nancy Mak’s journey with Vancouver Fashion Week began in 2008, when she brought her daughter Camille to a model fitting. Instantly drawn to VFW’s vision, she called her friend, film producer Lily Hui, and by the end of the day, had secured staging, lighting, and sound equipment for the show. That season, thanks to her media ties, the LA Editor of Women’s Wear Daily sat front row at VFW.
Mak grew up immersed in fashion—her family ran a sportswear factory in East Vancouver. An art school graduate, she built a vibrant career in fabric sales, design, and consulting. “Nancy was an artist, through and through,” says Hui, a lifelong friend. “She was always creating—sketching, designing, connecting.”
Her daughter Camille recalls, “She was a connector of people, always encouraging others to dream big and act boldly.” Her son Julien adds, “She brought people together with generosity, insight, and passion—whether at industry dinners or home-cooked gatherings.”
Mak’s career included a LEO-nominated costume design for a short film and she was developing her own streetwear line when she passed away from cancer in 2012.