Nicole Bridger – Inspired by True Happiness

When life brings you challenges, incorporate them into your work and turn them into something positive. At least that is what fashion designer Nicole Bridger decided to do. Each season Bridger takes an intimate look inside her personal life and the lessons she learned for inspiration. Her work is guided by principles of sustainability, community, and involving its wearer through her own lifeʼs constant ebb and flow of changes. “As I share my own personal growth, perhaps others will get something from that along their own journey of life. I think its something we can all relate to,” Bridger says.

Nicole Bridger Playful Dress & Inspired Scarf.

Bridger’s eponymous Spring/Summer collection, labeled “Reconnect,” is the most colorful collection to date, and the designer says, “At the time of creating this collection I was on a journey to reconnect with my spirit. I had just left my husband and separation, though devastating, was a huge weight that had been lifted off my shoulders. I was now on a beautiful journey to fall in love with myself again… and I have. I feel as though I have found my true happiness, perhaps for the first time in my life by reconnecting with my inner self. It has been about becoming whole as a person so that I can be the best I can be, for myself, my son and my future life partner and family.”

Though the circumstances that inspired the collection may be far from happy, it is very much about optimism. The light, clean color palette juxtaposed against simple yet feminine designs speak to the strong, confident woman we are all harboring inside. The vibrant, happy color scheme is very of-the-moment, Bridger says that each color was chosen to make the wearer smile and feel fresh, open and alive. For the minimalists among us, the collection also includes an earthy palette of neutrals such as black, nude, beige, khaki, camel and taupe.

Nicole Bridger Surrender Dress.

Nicole Bridger Compassion Dress & Happiness Top.

The recipient of Canada’s first ever eco fashion designer of the year award, Bridger perfected her signature style of sculpting and draping fabric while working at Vivienne Westwood in London. Despite her high-fashion training, Bridger designs for regular women, regardless of shape, size and age. Her easy-breezy, effortless aesthetic makes these well-designed sustainable pieces very easy to wear. Every piece in her collection has her signature “I AM LOVE” mantra sewn into its label and engraved into its Tagua nut buttons, as a reminder to speak kindly to yourself and to others, and to help spread positive energy throughout.

Nicole Bridger Presence Top, Grace Skirt, Connected Dress & Dream Cardi.

On May 1st, Nicole Bridger will launch her first-ever storefront in emerging greenopolis (and her hometown) Vancouver, Canada. This flagship store will carry the same eco-cred as her collection, using materials like reclaimed wood, zero-VOC paint, cement floors, recycled resin chandeliers, repurposed armchairs, a fabric (instead of the usual, and very bad, vinyl) store awning and even a cash desk made of white quartz and paperstone (recycled paper). Although much of the interior of the store was renovated and changed, nothing has gone to waste. Old toilets, heaters, sinks, etc. all being donated to the charity Habitat for Humanity.

Nicole Bridger Forgiveness Dress.

Spirit Cardi, Grateful Top, Grounded Pant & Honour Tunic.

Bridger feels that “If I can teach others and create change through sharing my life’s lessons, then we are all learning as we walk through life.” Something we can all learn from.

Nicole Bridger is kindly offering Goodlifer readers an exclusive 10% discount at her online store. Yay! Simply enter the code “GOODLIFER” at checkout. Happy shopping!