By Credell Simeon

Eco-friendly fashion in Canada continues to grow, we highlight one Regina-based designer who is leading the movement with creativity, passion, and purpose. María Fernanda Martínez is a Colombian-born sustainable fashion designer. She transforms recycled denim into bold, bohemian, eco-friendly clothing. Martínez redefines what style can look like in a conscious, climate-aware world. Eco-friendly fashion in Canada, especially on the prairies is regaining momentum.

An Eco-Friendly Fashion Journey Sparked by Awareness

María began designing early in her career in Colombia. Yet, her path shifted in February 2025 when she was watching a Netflix documentary exposing the environmental harm of fast fashion. Seeing the reality of textile waste dumped into developing countries pushed her into action.
“I knew I could do something. I realized I could create impact,” she recalls. That moment became the beginning of her eco-friendly fashion mission.

Upcycled Denim With Bold, Bohemian Flair

Her collection features upcycled jeans and denim reimagined with vibrant crochet patches, textured cotton accents, and unique patterns. Each piece feels fresh, original, and deeply intentional introducing more eco-friendly fashion options in Regina. These options stand out for their colour, craftsmanship, and purpose.

Eco-friendly Fashion Rooted in Community

María works from her home-based studio, surrounded by second-hand sewing machines, recycled baskets, and bins of donated clothing. Friends and community members regularly contribute used garments, which she sanitizes and then disassembles.
“I am inspired by the fabrics,” she says. “I know how to work with them.”
Her slow fashion approach includes repairing and restoring damaged clothing and using recycled buttons, threads, and materials. She also plans to incorporate hand-painted art into future creations.

Debuting Her Eco-friendly Upcycled Fashion Collection in 2025

Her first full sustainable collection debuted publicly on May 24th at the Cathedral Village Arts Festival (CVAF) street fair in Regina. Visitors experienced a chance to see her handmade designs up close and explore how upcycling can change the future of fashion.

A Vision for Eco-friendly Sustainable Fashion in Saskatchewan

María dreams of expanding her brand to include education, workshops, and advocacy. Her long-term goal is to see her affordable upcycled clothing sold in local boutiques and featured in Saskatchewan’s fashion events.
Her guiding belief remains simple: “Everyone can do a little to help the world.”

Building Community Through Sustainable Culture

Beyond her design work, María volunteers at local repair cafés hosted by EnviroCollective—helping community members mend clothing and reduce waste. A gifted Brother sewing machine she received at one of these cafés symbolizes the powerful connection between community and sustainability. Finally, our artist Credell Simeon met Maria through the Envirocollective community. Maria was chosen as Credell’s fashion designer for the 2025 Ankara Fusion Carnival in Canada.

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About blogger: Credell Simeon is a Credell Simeon is an international freelance writer and artist passionate about sustainability and creative expression. She specializes in projects like bottle painting that promote zero-waste living and inspire her community to find beauty in repurposed materials.