Vancouver Fashion Week FW25 Interview W/ Designer Isabella Lianos of LIANOS (Toronto)

LIANOS will be presenting their FW25 collection on the runway at VFW Wed ., April 9th, at 6 p.m. You can purchase your tickets HERE.

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From the VFW Website -


Lianos is a forward-thinking clothing label redefining contemporary fashion with bold, sculptural designs and unique silhouettes. Rooted in inspiration from architecture, art, sound, and motion, the brand seamlessly blends visual artistry with emotional depth, drawing influence from psychology, philosophy, and lived experiences.

Catering to individuals who embrace modern aesthetics and aren’t afraid to stand out, Lianos speaks to those who value boldness and individuality in their style. The label is committed to innovation, constantly exploring uncharted creative territories to deliver pieces that push the boundaries of traditional clothing.

Sustainability lies at the heart of Lianos’s ethos. By prioritizing waste management, minimizing fabric scraps, and sourcing ethical materials, the brand ensures that its designs are as responsible as they are cutting-edge. Lianos is not just a fashion label; it’s a movement for bold, thoughtful, and sustainable design.

Interview - 

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

I’ve always been immersed in the arts. I studied music and played multiple instruments for over 14 years, and I’ve been drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. Creativity has always been at the center of my life—my mom is a painter and sculptor, and my dad is an architect, so I grew up in an environment where artistic expression and visual storytelling were a part of everyday life.

For a long time, I thought I would be a painter or perhaps an art teacher. That seemed like the most natural path. But slowly, I began to realize that sewing and design had always been there in the background—from the tiny Bratz-themed sewing machine I got for Christmas at age 7, to making clothes for my dolls and costumes for my little sister. It all clicked when I saw how fashion could bring together everything I loved: structure, emotion, storytelling, movement, and form.

Choosing fashion design as a career wasn’t a single moment of decision—it was more like a series of creative breadcrumbs that led me here. Once I recognized the power of clothing as both personal expression and artistic medium, there was no turning back. Designing allows me to bring abstract ideas to life through clothing, and to create garments that speak to both the body and the mind.

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How did you learn your skills? 

As previously mentioned, I actually started sewing when I was only 7 years old with a tiny Bratz-themed sewing machine I got for Christmas. I began by making clothes for my stuffed animals and dolls, and eventually started sewing outfits and costumes for my little sister. From there, my love for creating just kept growing. I developed my skills more seriously over time— initially through watching my mom and nonna sew (who both had a big influence on how I approached making things with care and intention), then through personal experimentation, garment tailoring and alterations, through formal education studying Fashion Design at Toronto Metropolitan University, through a self-sought-out mentorship position in Milan, Italy that I took on for two months in the summer of 2024 and always continuing through many other kinds of opportunities that present themselves along the way. A lot of what I do now is self-driven, combining that early passion with constant learning and inspiration from beyond the traditional fashion world.

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Who are you as a designer? Aesthetic? Customer? Brand?

I’m a forward-thinking designer focused on creating bold, sculptural silhouettes with a thoughtful, philosophical edge. My brand, LLANOS, is for individuals who are not afraid to stand out—those who resonate with modern design, storytelling, and garments that evoke emotion and presence. The aesthetic blends contrast and harmony, structure and softness, making space for both visual impact and conceptual depth.

I hope to invoke the same response to my clothing as one might experience when viewing a work of art in a gallery—something that stirs emotion, invites contemplation, and welcomes interpretation. I’m deeply interested in how people perceive and connect with clothing on a personal level. When I design, I focus on building a broad thematic framework that allows the viewer or wearer to embark on their own journey of meaning-making. Each piece becomes a vessel for reflection, layered in both concept and form.

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

The easiest part for me is conceptualizing the emotional core of a collection. Once I have a central idea, everything begins to take shape naturally around that concept—shapes, textures, tones. The hardest part is managing sustainability in a way that aligns with my values while still pushing creative boundaries. I'm very mindful of waste and ethical sourcing, which adds layers of complexity, but it's non-negotiable.

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Where do you find inspiration for new collections? How important is colour to your design process?

My inspiration usually comes from introspective themes—psychology, duality, transformation, and the complexity of human emotion. I often find myself gravitating toward concepts that live in the grey area—between extremes, in tension, or in harmony. Visually, I’m deeply influenced by architecture, landscapes, and contemporary art—forms that evoke feeling through structure, space, and mood rather than overt narrative.

When it comes to colour, I tend to stay fairly neutral—working mostly in grayscale, monochromatic palettes, or earth tones unless there’s a conceptual reason to introduce a statement detail. In some cases, I’ll add a pop of colour against a more neutral foundation—like the yellow zipper on an all-grey suit—to create contrast and draw attention to specific moments in the design. Other times, I’ll explore a single colour head-to-toe to build a monochromatic look that feels unified and intentional.

I believe the true beauty of my designs often reveals itself through the textures, silhouettes, and sculptural qualities rather than bold colour usage. In a way, this restraint becomes a strength—it allows space for individual interpretation and emotional projection. By not dictating too much through colour, I leave room for the wearer or viewer to find their own meaning in the piece. It’s part of my broader goal: to offer garments that serve as open canvases, not just visual statements.

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Readers would love to know more about the collection you’ll be showing at Vancouver Fashion Week.
The FW25 collection is titled Coexistence. It explores the necessary tension between opposing forces—chaos and calm, softness and rigidity, light and shadow—and how those dualities shape our experience. The pieces in this collection are designed to feel like characters from an abstract environment, brought to life on a frozen lake in our campaign. It’s an emotional yet restrained collection, with sculptural silhouettes, layered textures, and deliberate asymmetries that suggest balance in opposition.

Do you have a favorite look in this collection?

It’s hard to choose just one, but I’d say the all-grey suit with long, draped sleeves and a bold yellow center-front zipper stands out as a personal favorite. It’s styled with a white fur hat, adding an unexpected softness to the structured silhouette. The tailored form paired with the fluidity of the sleeves creates a powerful yet gentle presence—exactly the kind of duality Coexistence explores. It feels strong without being rigid, expressive without being loud.

Where can readers purchase your designs?

Select pieces from previous collections are available through my website https://www.lianos.ca/, and we’ll be launching a limited pre-order for FW25 shortly after the show. Interested buyers can sign up for early access via the site.

What’s next for you as a designer and your brand?

After VFW, I’m excited to explore new ways of showcasing my work beyond the runway. I’m currently developing concepts for immersive, experience-based presentations—whether through gallery-style installations, performance art, or site-specific showings that challenge the traditional fashion format. I want to continue blurring the lines between fashion, art, and storytelling, and invite people to engage with the work on a deeper, more emotional level.

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I’m also exploring ways to expand the digital storytelling aspect of the brand. Whether it’s through short films, interactive lookbooks, or virtual experiences, I want to continue building worlds around each collection. Fashion can be such a powerful medium for narrative, and I’m interested in using technology to bring those stories to life in more intimate, accessible ways.

In closing is there anything else you'd like to share with readers?

Just a thank you—to everyone who supports independent design and to those who choose to wear their identity boldly. Every piece I create is a conversation, and I’m honored to share it with others.

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