(Above) Mernini’s jackets are inspired by rainy weather. (Below) Maria Halfyard saw a need for stylish yet functional rainwear, so she made it happen. | PHOTOS: COURTESY OF MERNINI
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE?
Maria Halfyard on Mernini’s Stylish Waterproof Jackets and Being on Dragon’s Den
The Newfoundland and Labrador designer and CAA member shares her favourites.
By Nicole Keen
When she couldn’t find a fashionable coat to cope with the driving rain of Newfoundland and Labrador, Maria Halfyard decided to make her own. Halfyard’s stylish line of waterproof outerwear, Mernini, now has devotees from coast to coast. Halfyard shares that customers even stop each other on the street to exchange compliments. “It’s amazing how much a coat has built a community,” she says. Halfyard’s hometown, St. John’s, is the company’s base, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
What do you love about living in St. John’s? We really do have a sense of community here. When the brand went on Dragon’s Den, it was not just me on the show — it was Newfoundland on the show. It’s also a small enough city where you can get a lot done in a day. You can get anywhere in about 15 or 20 minutes.
Where do you find creative inspiration? The weather. I live in a rainy, windy climate, and so just getting out into the elements — I kind of get an understanding of what I need in apparel. It’s also my customers. They give me a lot of feedback and it’s awesome, because it’s usually something specific to their location. In British Columbia, for instance, it gets cold in the winter and it’s still rainy, and so they would love to have sleeves with the liner.
Are there any other fashion designers or entrepreneurs who inspire you? Joanna Griffiths with Knix, Alexa Suter with Huha and Sarah Blakely with Spanx. They’re just powerhouses [who are] improving the lives of women every day. [They] have created brands with purpose — they’ve seen an issue, they’ve identified a problem, and then they’ve created a solution.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business? I spent a lot of my life building stuff. My twin sister and I used to renovate homes, so I’ve always liked seeing something come from nothing.
Where do you like to spend time when you’re not working? I like anywhere where there’s water, so my downtime is running my fingers through water, sailing on water, swimming in water. I love the water; that’s my happy place. CAA
(Clockwise from top left) The harbour at St. John’s; a Mernini jacket on an ocean-side trail; a sailboat in St. John’s; Joanna Griffiths of Knix. | PHOTOS: NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR TOURISM; COURTESY OF MERNINI; COURTESY OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR TOURISM; COURTESY OF JOANNA GRIFFITHS
“When the brand went on Dragon’s Den, it was not just me on the show — it was Newfoundland on the show.”
Maria Halfyard appearing on the TV show, Dragon’s Den. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF MERNINI
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