Vancouver Fashion Week FW25 Interview w/ Designer Tetyana Golota, EcoStylist (Canada)

Love to Ukraine will be showing their new collection on the runway at Vancouver Fashion Week FW25, Thursday, April 10 at 5: 00p.m. You can purchase your tickets HERE.

Bio -

Tetyana is a Ukrainian born Canadian, who moved to Canada 26 years ago with her husband and son. She learned the language, the culture, but kept her own alive as well. With a Master’s Degree and Engineering Diploma in Printing, she successfully built her career in the industry until she was diagnosed with a brain tumor, fibromyalgia and arthritis.

With physical disabilities, at the age of 44, she walked the runway of Vancouver Fashion Week as a plus size model, then was featured at The Vogue magazine. She is a fashion designer who embraces models of all sizes and ages. Her Ethnic Ukrainian-inspired garments landed the pages of The Vogue magazine as well. She is invited to participate in ECO Fashion Week Australia, ECO Fashion week Seattle and New York Fashion Week. Tetyana believes that sharing her story

Interview -

Please share a bit about your journey to embrace fashion design as a career.

I have a Master Degree in Engineering and have worked in the Industry since I was 16. At the age of 40, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. I could no longer do my career work and had to reinvent myself. I went back to my basics… and they were what I learned in childhood.

I grew up watching grandma making beautiful things in the community since I can remember. Throughout my life, education and work, I used all that knowledge I learned from her. I love making custom pieces that fit the body perfectly and not paying attention to “sizes,” simply creating relationships between fabric and human shape. To improve my skills, I took courses through an online Design school and Styling school. It is my hobby.

I know for sure that I am very ECO conscientious. I am trying my very best to use sustainable and recycled fabrics to create garments and to give second life to materials. That’s why a more appropriate name I use in my branding is ECOStylist

What comes easiest for you as a designer? What is hardest?

Easiest is the creative portion and visualization of the end product. Hardest is executing it all to the point of that visualization.

Where do you find inspiration for new designs?

Architecture, nature, people and simply just by touching the fabric. I get so excited to find the treasure and seeing in my mind what that can become. History and meanings.

Readers would love to hear a little about show you will be presenting at Vancouver Fashion Week FW 25?

Definitely it is a presentation of our culture. This season, under umbrella of LOVE to UKRAINE, we are showcasing 4 designers including myself along with a performance by local Ukrainian dance troupe the Dovbush Dancers and super talented musician-accordionist-composer Taras Luca.

The three who will be showing with me are:

• Pitaya - swimwear with high tech fabrics min 35 SPF protection. Made in Ukraine with love of sun.
• Sofi Manko - Living in Vancouver, Sofi is Ukrainian born. She is mindful fitness and lifestyle coach, former gymnast and model. She created Manko Wear.
• Maria Shamedko - Living in Ukraine, creating beautiful embroidery and dressing not only Vienna Ball debutants but General of Ukraine, Zaluzhny and many actors and movie stars.

Do you have a favorite look in this collection?

This collection is definitely shows my love of beautiful Couture Houses. Especially Chanel, which over the years, inspired me to make my versions of coats and jackets. The influence is huge enough that my friends call me Ms. Chanel.

Where can readers purchase your designs?

The best way to purchase designs is directly from the designers. All of our links are below.

Links -

• Tetyana Golota: IG - @ecostylist, FB - www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065508728897
• Pitaya @@pitaya.ua
• Sofia Manko @manko.wear
• Maria Shamedko of Maruna by Maria: IG - @marunabymaria