Vancouver Fashion eZine - Online Magazine

"Be creative, confident and innovative. Do your own thing. Make your own name." If you didn't catch the last Vancouver Fashion eZine article on Myka Designs, this sums up the jewellery line owned by and Maja and Michael Bremer. Targeting career-oriented and fashion focused women ages 25 to 60, the line is long past its debut in Vancouver boutiques with its "unique but quality-driven" pieces. It's currently developing a solid reputation in foreign countries so it's hard to imagine this married couple as anything but successful. However, that's been the name of the game since they started making money from jewellery as starving Ryerson design students.

According to Bremer, the previous fall collection utilized "chunkier colours" that were "jewel-toned and a bit more intricate" than earlier designs, using a "charm look with detachables." The current spring and summer collection is more relaxed with "earthy and beachy" colors and pieces. If you already want a winter forecast you can expect the lighter tone of the current pieces to transition, with "a heavier metal look." The prices vary but earrings can range from 60 to 80 dollars, while bracelets and necklaces can be anywhere from 150 to 220 dollars.

The fact that Vancouver doesn't have a ton of jewellery designers isn't the only reason for Myka Design's stunning ability to stand out. Since Myka Designs last talked to us, it's still been tailoring its namesake with its experience in European trade shows and a goal to design pieces you can't find anywhere else. "We design our own metal pieces. It's costume jewellery as opposed to sterling," said Bremer. "We model ourselves after what the Europeans are doing so we offer clients a full package deal. They don't just get the jewellery." That's easily to explain since the designers communicate with clients as a top priority to receive regular feedback and find out what they can change to keep the line bright and exciting. "A lot of this comes from knowing what our customers like. We always try to incorporate new material every season," said Bremer. "You always have to stay fresh and try new things." It's no doubt that this unique concept actually works since "most of the customers we have start with us and stay with us." .She's also been driven to make jewellery she'd be willing to wear herself. "That's all I wear," said Bremer. "I won't wear anyone else's jewellery."

In the future, the main goal of the business is to keep pushing the line's name on a global level. "We'd like to see the line in more countries around the world. We'd like to diversify our broad assortment." The line will always have a place in Vancouver's own market. "I think Vancouver has really grown. There is a fashion scene here," said Bremer. "We're a small city, but if you compare the fashion industry in Vancouver to where it was 15 years ago, now there are a lot of great companies here. There's lots of talent on the West Coast."

You can find the collections in Vancouver at the Fairmont Hotel, Circa Ici, Jeweliette, Wear Else, Gigi B and Damask. For more information check out the website at www.mykadesigns.com.

To read the previous article check out our April 2008 issue.