Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine | Fashion Student

Fashion student Shereen Guliani's garments reflect her mixed heritage. With a mother born in Manitoba and a father born in India, the women's clothing she saw in the family shop growing up represented the best of both worlds. As designer she brings a unique take on today's multicultural community that combines classic western design with eastern-influenced details. Her grad collection is called Adita (meaning boundless or limitless) and is a fusion that makes it well suited to our global city.

Guliani lived and breathed fashion from early childhood, happily spending all her free time at the family store. "I wasn't necessarily working, just hanging out and probably getting in the way. I never liked school. I always thought I was missing out on something (if I wasn't there)." Family vacations were combined with business and included visits to suppliers and importers. After high school she worked full-time at the shop, attended trade shows, helped with purchasing decisions and eventually studied fashion at the University of Manitoba. When her father suddenly passed away she quit school and decided it was time to try a "normal" job, but nothing else appealed to her. Already in her mid-twenties with a strong business background, previous drafting experience and good sewing skills, Guliani looked for a Fashion Design program that was more condensed. Blanche Macdonald was the perfect match. "There wasn't anything I didn't like, but I found it a lot easier to learn when I was doing things hands-on so I enjoyed drafting and sewing the most."

When it came time to create her grad collection Guliani focused on classic pieces combined with interesting eastern details. The palette includes warm gold, rich burgandy and an inky black along with a print to add visual texture. The first ensemble is a silk brocade jacket with a crisscross front and a 3-button closure on the shoulder. This is paired with a basic long sleeve knit top and narrow cotton twill stretch pants. The sleeves on the top are unusually long to create a soft gather at the wrist and the pants sport button details at the ankle. There is an optional print mini-skirt that can be worn over the pants at the high hip to give it a more ethnic look. Next is a wrap top sewn in a fine knit with an attached scarf that sweeps over the shoulder and cascades down the back. It is worn over a sleeveless empire waist dress and very slim black twill pants. The pants are extra long allowing the fabric to bunch at the ankle. Last is 6-gore silk skirt accented by a 5" wide silk brocade belt. The accompanying silk blouse is high-waisted with a front button closure and three-quarter length sleeves. Other pieces in her portfolio include a tunic, wider leg pants and a pleated skirt that is reminiscent of a wrapped sari. Eastern details such as a Nehru collar are seen throughout the collection.

Since graduation Guliani has been working with Bamboobino where she is gaining valuable industry experience. Her short-term goal is to enter the Graduate Award Competition at Portobello West. For the long-term, she is beginning to source fabrics with the hopes of eventually launching her own line. I only hope it is sooner rather than later!