Under The Needle: Inside Canada’s Most Intense Fashion Showdown With Designer Naomi Shindak

Every Friday, the stakes rise and the designs get sharper. With Project Runway Canada bringing a new wave of creativity to screens across the country, we’re diving behind the seams with the designers who dared to put everything on the line. VITA‘s exclusive interview series with the talented contestants explores the pressure, the process, and the passion behind the collections—revealing what really happens when talent meets a ticking clock. —Noa Nichol

Looking back at your time on Project Runway Canada, what moment or challenge best represents who you are as a designer — and why?

I feel like my time on Project Runway Canada was cut aggressively short, I had a lot to show and unfortunately only had one challenge to represent who I am as a designer, which I think is far from best representing me. I think the moments that best represented me were when I was crashing out and getting in my head, yet still showing up to the runway with a worthy look. As a designer, this showed my resilience, drive, and creativity even though I didn’t have time to show my true design skill.

The pressure in the workroom can bring out big breakthroughs or big lessons. What did the competition reveal about your creative process that you didn’t know before stepping onto the show?

It revealed to me that I have a bad habit of second guessing myself and therefore playing it safe, and not pushing myself. I now know after being in that high pressure environment to always trust my skill. I am capable of all the designs I can fathom. The lesson was I need to lead designing with as much confidence that I do with my personality. I just really wish I had a chance to show more of that!

Every designer leaves with a signature moment. What do you hope viewers remember you for — whether it was a look, a risk you took, or something more personal?

I believe that my personality stood out the most when watching me on the show! I hope viewers remember me for bringing the entertainment. You can only go so far with technical skill… personality is a huge asset to have in any industry. Also, when all else fails, finger guns is an appropriate response to critique.

Runway aside, the show brings together so many different personalities and perspectives. How did the relationships you formed—whether supportive or competitive—shape your experience?

Some people may have doubted my presence on the show while others embraced it, and helped guide me. The highlight of my experience was the friendships I formed from those who did embrace me! I will forever look up to those who were supportive of me through my journey on the show! I owe the new beginning of my design career to the compassionate designers that were an example of talent, kindness and poise.

Now that you’ve left the competition, what’s next? Is there a project, collection, or direction you’re excited to pursue that was inspired by your time on the show?

Being fresh out of fashion school and jumping on the show, I feel like I’ve outgrown the path I was on for fashion and my recent label “Abnoxious.” The show and judges taught me that the next most important part of my design journey is figuring out who I AM as a designer, and I think I’ve finally found that! My next move is creating a new label launching in the new year that is rooted in sustainability and dopamine dressing. My skills are refined, vision clear, and more motivated the ever. Stay tuned & keep up with me on Instagram to watch my journey!