The Show designer spotlight: Niina Artwear by Shelayne Mulholland

Tomorrow (April 24), Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s (KPU) 2014 fashion design graduates will present their final collections in The Show—a culmination of four years of intensive learning, and a showcase for the 37 designers’ unique collections.

Every year, emerging designers set to hit the Vancouver fashion scene show off the skills, creativity, and talent honed while in KPU’s bachelor of design, fashion and technology degree program. This year, The Show will include lines for women, men, and children; the beach, office, playground, gym, and more.

The Show, presented by Tamoda Apparel, will take place at the River Rock Casino, with three shows at 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at kpufashionshow.eventbrite.ca.

See kpu.ca/theshow2014 for event details.

Among the lines featured at The Show is Niina Artwear, an eco-friendly clothing line for mature, sophisticated women with real bodies. The line is inspired by the colours of the northern lights, as evidenced by its beautiful display of hand-painting and dying techniques that designer Shelayne Mulholland picked up during her travels to Accra, Ghana.

Mulholland wanted to create a line women would love to wear season after season. Niina Artwear incorporates elements of comfort, style, and sustainability while using only renewable resource fabrics and low-impact dies. Mulholland’s experience as a dance instructor brought forth a broader understanding of the need for mobility and functionality in women’s clothing, as well as an appreciation for the beauty of the human body. To view more of Mulholland’s work, visit www.shelaynedesigns.ca.

Erin Robertson: Describe your collection.

Shelayne Mulholland: The Fall/Winter 2015 collection of Ninna Artwear features fabrics that come from sustainable resources, and that I’ve hand-dyed and painted using low-impact dyes. All of the fabrics and design details were designed to be comfortable, functional, and fashionable.

ER: Describe the target market for your collection.

SM: Niina Artwear is a collection designed for the curvaceous, sophisticated humanist. Women who wear Niina Artwear are looking for clothes with a story. I was very much inspired by women who are involved with charities and who are working in the community. I designed a sustainable eco collection that’s ethically made in Vancouver, and serves real-sized women who want to look professional. 

ER: Where did you get your inspiration?

SM: When I studied fashion design in Finland at the Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, I got to see the northern lights. The feeling of connectedness to the planet and colours from this experience inspired my designs. All of the hand dying and painting makes each piece unique and exclusive. This past summer I travelled to Accra, Ghana, to work for the company Osei Duro. It was there where I first learned African batik dying. I knew that I wanted to incorporate some beautiful dying into my collection. I was quite inspired by draping the fabric to flatter the curvy female form. I wanted to create something that is completely different from the plus-sized clothing available here. 

ER: If your collection had a soundtrack, what song would it be?

SM: "To Be Young" by the band MU. They are eclectic, alternative, local, and in tune with the earth, just like my target market.

ER: What's your favourite piece of clothing in your personal wardrobe?

SM: Leggings, leggings, and more leggings! I made a prototype of the gathered painted organic cotton leggings for my collection and I have worn them almost everyday since. Funky leggings are totally perfect under my skirts and dresses in this unpredictable Vancouver weather.

ER: What are you doing after graduation?

SM: I really love textile art. I am travelling to South America this summer and looking forward to exploring traditional weaving and fabric dying. I am also really enjoying working for local fashion designer Nicole Bridger and I can't wait to get out and really be a part of Vancouver's ethical fashion industry. I am really excited to see where I go next. Travelling on exchange last year really opened my mind to all of the opportunities in the international fashion industry. I am proud to be a KPU grad—this degree program has given me so many wonderful industry connections as well as life long friends. 

ER: Roses or daisies?

Daisies all the way! Preferably in an awesome daisy chain crown.