Marisa P. Clark is a rising star in sustainable fashion design. She founded Faun Studio in Calgary to connect with her mother’s home country of Vietnam and bring sustainability and ethics into the fashion industry. Faun Studio collections are designed in Calgary and produced in Vietnam. They cater to women who enjoy adding colour, patterns, and texture to their daily wardrobes, aiming to highlight individuality with a playful creativity. The brand’s clothing is sold in boutiques across Canada. More about its story on calgarynka.
From Finance to Fashion
Marisa was born and raised in Calgary. Her upbringing was influenced by her mother, who immigrated to Canada from Vietnam as a teenager. Her mother worked as a seamstress in Medicine Hat, sparking Marisa’s early interest in sewing, which she began at the age of four. Tragically, her mother passed away when Marisa was just 17.
Although Marisa always dreamed of a career in fashion, she pursued studies in political science and economic policy at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. During her time at university, she realized her passion lay elsewhere and returned to Calgary.
As Marisa shared with the Calgary Herald, she felt immense pressure to pursue a traditional office job, though she yearned for a creative outlet. After a stint in the financial services industry, she decided to follow her passion for design—a conscious choice to find joy in her daily work.
“I remember when I passed my Chartered Financial Analyst exam, I broke down and cried because I realized I didn’t want to do this at all,” Marisa recalled.
Searching for creative fulfillment, she attended evening classes in graphic design and photography at Alberta University of the Arts in Calgary. In 2015, she ventured into online retail with Bocca Imports, a website offering unique artisanal items.
In 2016, Marisa discovered an intensive program at the London College of Fashion in England. Condensed from two years into eight months, the course culminated in her debuting her designs at Western Canada Fashion Week, Vancouver Intl. Fashion Week, L.A. Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week. By the following year, she launched spring/summer and fall/winter collections that gained global recognition, setting the stage for her career as a freelance designer selling her creations online.
Fashion gave Marisa not only a career but also meaningful connections. Unlike her time studying political science and economics, where she struggled to bond with classmates, her immersion in London College of Fashion fostered lasting friendships united by a shared love for art and fashion.
Launching Faun Studio and Partnering with Vietnam
In March 2018, Marisa founded Faun Studio. While searching for a factory to produce her designs, she traveled to Vietnam, her mother’s homeland. There, she partnered with a tailor to create a few blazers and a dress. The positive feedback she received encouraged her to pursue fashion design more seriously.
The fashion industry is notorious for exploitation in offshore production, but Marisa found a factory in Vietnam committed to fair trade and sustainable practices. Additionally, the factory supports the LGBTQ+ community and provides on-site childcare for young mothers. This ethical partnership fulfilled Marisa’s desire to engage in responsible global collaboration.
As Marisa noted in interviews, improving the lives of people in developing countries like Vietnam has always been important to her. Vietnam’s growing garment industry presented both opportunities for economic development and challenges, such as environmental degradation and worker exploitation.
There’s a misconception that all production in Asia occurs in sweatshops under illegal or unacceptable conditions. Marisa sought to dispel this stereotype by ensuring her production environment prioritized comfort and fairness.
Focus on Sustainability
The irresponsible use of planetary resources has led to challenges like global warming and carbon emissions. Reducing the environmental impact of fashion requires rejecting “fast fashion”—a model of rapid production and mass consumption. One way to practice sustainability is to declutter closets before purchasing new items or explore vintage stores, rental services, and second-hand shops.
For those who still wish to buy new clothing while supporting the environment, brands like Faun Studio offer sustainable solutions through recycled materials, reduced carbon emissions, and fair wages for workers. In addition to contributing to a healthier planet, eco-conscious strategies help brands thrive in today’s market. Companies like Faun Studio represent a shift from fast fashion to high-quality, sustainably made products.
Faun Studio incorporates wool and plant-based dyes in its textile creations. Marisa acknowledges that sourcing eco-friendly fabrics in Vietnam is a challenge. Nonetheless, the brand’s success reflects changing consumer values in Canada, illustrating a move toward environmentally friendly, high-quality designs.
Bold Prints and Designs
Vibrant colours, thoughtful accessories, and striking prints are the hallmarks of Faun Studio’s designs. Marisa often draws inspiration from nature and people, which is why travel remains one of her passions. Different landscapes and individuals continually inspire her creative ideas.
For example, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Marisa visited Canmore and saw a crescent moon in the afternoon sky framed by a mountain range. This moment prompted her to reflect on the impermanence of nature, including how even mountains change over time. She translated these musings into a collection featuring celestial motifs and embroidered details, evoking thoughts on time and the fleeting nature of the world.
Other sources of creativity for Marisa include painting, photography, dance, guitar, and jewelry-making. Faun Studio is for the bold individual who finds a sense of adventure in life’s small moments.