Bio -
Deeply inspired by personal experiences and the lasting imprint of memory, Nathalie’s designs reflect the invisible weight we carry throughout life. Layers of fabric symbolize the protective barriers we construct over time—shields that both conceal and safeguard our vulnerabilities. Organic, branch-like textures evoke the way trauma can take root and grow within us when left unaddressed, subtly influencing our sense of self. Striking red accents punctuate her work, representing the raw intensity and courage required to confront the past and reclaim one’s story.
For Nathalie, design is more than aesthetics; it is a deeply introspective and transformative process. Her work embodies the delicate balance between fragility and strength, illustrating how adversity can both burden and shape resilience. Each piece in Unchained tells a story of survival and evolution, emphasizing that healing is not linear, but a continuous journey of rediscovery and empowerment. Drawing from her multicultural background and lived experiences, Nathalie uses fashion as a medium for expression, reflection, and connection. Her work invites audiences to engage with their own narratives, encouraging a deeper understanding of vulnerability, growth, and the enduring power of transformation.
Interview -
Please share a bit about your journey to embrace fashion design as a career. Looking back,
were there any early signs fashion would be your future?
I was initially self-taught and learned through experimentation and practice. Over time, I pursued formal training in pattern making, sewing, and tailoring to strengthen my technical foundation. And, of course, I’ve watched thousands of hours of YouTube and Instagram videos!
After moving to Vancouver in 2023, I continued my education at Blanche MacDonald, graduating from their Fashion Design program. That combination of self-driven learning and structured training has really shaped my approach as a designer.
Who are you as a designer? Aesthetic? Customer? Brand?
I’m deeply drawn to structure, emotion, and storytelling. My aesthetic lives at the intersection of raw and refined often leaning into avant-garde, where garments feel sculptural yet remain wearable.
I design for individuals who are not afraid to express themselves, who see fashion as more than clothing, but as a form of identity and art. My brand is about freedom, pushing boundaries, and creating space for bold self-expression.
What comes easiest for you as a designer? What is hardest?
What comes most naturally to me is translating emotion into form; taking a concept and turning it into something physical and tangible. The challenge is often balancing creativity with practicality. When it comes to production, I sometimes find it difficult to source the right materials, but that process also pushes me to experiment, adapt, and discover new ways of bringing my ideas to life.
Where can readers purchase your designs?
Currently, my work is available through direct inquiries and private orders via my website and Instagram.
What's next for you as a designer and your brand?
Right now, my focus is on continuing to build a strong identity for the brand and pushing the creative boundaries even further. I’m excited to expand into more refined collections, collaborations, and eventually a fully developed platform where the brand can live and evolve. This is just the beginning.
Links -
were there any early signs fashion would be your future?
I grew up in Madagascar and initially worked in tourism. Fashion came into my life more
organically. I was always drawn to art, painting, and creative outlets, but then I started sewing
my own clothes using my sister’s old machine. She was actually the one with formal training in
fashion at the time, and watching her sparked something in me.
What began as curiosity soon became a passion. I took formal sewing and tailoring lessons. Sewing for myself quickly turned into sewing for friends and family, then clients, and then I launched my brand. Looking back, those early moments of creating with my hands were the first signs that fashion would become my path.
How did you learn your skills?
organically. I was always drawn to art, painting, and creative outlets, but then I started sewing
my own clothes using my sister’s old machine. She was actually the one with formal training in
fashion at the time, and watching her sparked something in me.
How did you learn your skills?
I was initially self-taught and learned through experimentation and practice. Over time, I pursued formal training in pattern making, sewing, and tailoring to strengthen my technical foundation. And, of course, I’ve watched thousands of hours of YouTube and Instagram videos!
After moving to Vancouver in 2023, I continued my education at Blanche MacDonald, graduating from their Fashion Design program. That combination of self-driven learning and structured training has really shaped my approach as a designer.
Who are you as a designer? Aesthetic? Customer? Brand?
I’m deeply drawn to structure, emotion, and storytelling. My aesthetic lives at the intersection of raw and refined often leaning into avant-garde, where garments feel sculptural yet remain wearable.
I design for individuals who are not afraid to express themselves, who see fashion as more than clothing, but as a form of identity and art. My brand is about freedom, pushing boundaries, and creating space for bold self-expression.
What comes easiest for you as a designer? What is hardest?
What comes most naturally to me is translating emotion into form; taking a concept and turning it into something physical and tangible. The challenge is often balancing creativity with practicality. When it comes to production, I sometimes find it difficult to source the right materials, but that process also pushes me to experiment, adapt, and discover new ways of bringing my ideas to life.
Where do you find inspiration for new collections? How important is color to your design process?
I find inspiration in many places: emotions, movement, contrast, as well as both history, including my personal narrative and lived experience, and what’s happening in the present moment. I’m especially drawn to the tension between past and current narratives, and how that can be expressed through design.
Color plays a significant role in my process, as it acts as one of the key emotional storytelling elements. It helps shape the mood of a collection and brings depth to the overall vision.
Readers would love to know more about the collection you are showing at Vancouver Fashion Week FW 26. Do you have a favorite look in this collection?
The collection I’m presenting explores the concept of being “unchained,” reflecting both the physical and emotional weight we carry over time. Through layered textiles, structured silhouettes, and contrasting textures, I explore how trauma can take root and quietly shape identity. Bold red accents punctuate the collection, symbolizing intensity, resilience, and courage—moments of release within the tension.
Color plays a significant role in my process, as it acts as one of the key emotional storytelling elements. It helps shape the mood of a collection and brings depth to the overall vision.
Readers would love to know more about the collection you are showing at Vancouver Fashion Week FW 26. Do you have a favorite look in this collection?
The collection I’m presenting explores the concept of being “unchained,” reflecting both the physical and emotional weight we carry over time. Through layered textiles, structured silhouettes, and contrasting textures, I explore how trauma can take root and quietly shape identity. Bold red accents punctuate the collection, symbolizing intensity, resilience, and courage—moments of release within the tension.
It’s difficult to choose a favorite look, but the final piece truly captures the essence of the collection. It brings together the shapes, textures, and the dialogue between constraint and liberation in a very raw, powerful way.
Currently, my work is available through direct inquiries and private orders via my website and Instagram.
What's next for you as a designer and your brand?
Right now, my focus is on continuing to build a strong identity for the brand and pushing the creative boundaries even further. I’m excited to expand into more refined collections, collaborations, and eventually a fully developed platform where the brand can live and evolve. This is just the beginning.
Links -
- Website - www.natheerav.ca
- Facebook - Nathee Rav
- Instagram - @natheerav
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