A local designer who uses leaves and flowers to hand-dye natural fabrics will be launching her collection of clothes at The Show next week.
Justina Kriss’s Vancouver-inspired apparel will debut at the April 5 event, which is to showcase the work of fourth-year Kwantlen Polytechnic University fashion design and technology students at River Rock Casino in Richmond.
The 23-year-old Semiahmoo Secondary grad’s collection includes elegant silk dresses and jersey sweaters inspired by trees, shrubs and flowers indigenous to Vancouver, such as maple trees and rose and rhododendron bushes.
The pieces are printed with plant dyes harvested from local trees and supplemented by the collection of organic kitchen waste.
According to a release, Kriss rediscovered a fascination with her country and culture upon returning from a five-month stint studying in Finland.
Her collection is meant to provide an upscale, stylish alternative for tourists wanting to remember their visit to the area through a keepsake garment.
For more information on The Show, visit www.kwantlen.ca/fashionshow