I am Clara Lavina, a Filipino Canadian artist and clothing designer. My creations are inspired by my childhood, especially my travels to the Philippines and Paris, and the experience of growing up with my sister. These memories always bring a sense of joy and inspiration to my work.

 

In the Philippines, I walked on the finest white sand beaches, collected shells, and explored a marvellous world underwater. It was the time I spent living there that I came to treasure my family's heritage, and the natural beauty of life by the sea. There I found a genuine love for who I am and where I’m from. In my designs, I take pride in reimagining and incorporating influences from traditional Philippine dress, materials, and colors, and represent my heritage in my work. In addition, my memories of swimming through coral reefs sparked in me a deep commitment to water conservation and a dread of the devastating damage being done. In my brand, I use secondhand fabric and save every scrap because I’ve instilled in myself the value of being mindful of waste, of what it harms, and finding resourceful ways to create.

 

Travelling to Paris to celebrate my birthday as a child was a very special time. We walked into delightful shops for children, enjoyed beautiful pastries, picked spring flowers, and laid on the grass by the Eiffel tower, all while my sister and I wore the most splendid clothes. Those outfits, with their palette of black, white, and pinks, and patterns like stripes and accents such as fabric roses, have brought a lifetime’s worth of inspiration to my designs.

 

My sister and I grew up nurtured in the arts, and she was especially drawn to ballet. She’s shared with me part of her world, full of dancewear and costumes, that can come through in my designs as a collaboration. This theme has been with us since we were little girls who loved to dance, wear beautiful things, and create together as a team.

 

My creations remind me, and I hope will remind others, that we can enjoy life through the eyes of a child.