Mernini’s Founder On How Her Coats Are Made for Rain & Designed For You (Win!)

Born in Newfoundland to brave the North Atlantic—yet built to look effortlessly chic in the city—Mernini blends performance with polished design. With the women’s collection now at Simons and a playful Mernini Mini line for matching family moments, founder Maria Halfyard is on a mission to make weatherproof pieces feel purposeful and beautiful. We sat down with Maria to talk female-founded design, multi-season functionality, and the raincoat-and-boot essentials you’ll actually want to wear all year. —Noa Nichol

Your roots are in Newfoundland — how did growing up with unpredictable North Atlantic weather shape mernini’s design DNA and your obsession with functional style?

Growing up in Newfoundland and Labrador means you quickly learn that the weather has a mind of its own. We can have sun, fog, wind, and rain all in a single afternoon. That kind of unpredictability teaches you to value clothing that works as hard as you do. Mernini’s design DNA comes directly from that experience: durable, beautiful outerwear that doesn’t just look good but stands up to whatever the day brings. Function is non-negotiable here and I think that philosophy resonates with people across the country. Every detail is a nod to that North Atlantic resilience, designed to keep you not only dry and ready for anything but also confident and fashionable.

Mernini is available at Simons — what does it mean to see your brand in a major Canadian retailer, and how do you tailor the in-store experience for shoppers who want both fashion and performance?

Our launch at Simons marked an exciting milestone for us. It brought our vision of functional luxury to a national stage. Simons’ dedication to curating timeless, design-driven Canadian brands aligns perfectly with our ethos: stylish outerwear engineered for real weather. To have mernini products available in Simons stores across the country gives our brand incredible visibility and offers shoppers a meaningful choice of premium rainwear. Seeing mernini displayed alongside some of Canada’s leading outerwear brands has been surreal and the repeat orders tell us Canadians from coast to coast to coast recognize the quality, craftsmanship, and value we’re bringing to the market.

The new Mini Collection pairs kids’ raincoats with grown-up styles — what inspired the matching-sets idea, and how do you balance cuteness for kids with chic for parents?

The Mini Collection was born from the sweetest kind of inspiration — moms and their little ones wanting to match. Our Mommy & Me sets are about more than matching colours; they’re about shared moments, walking hand-in-hand through rain, drizzle and fog, exploring together, and finding joy in the rainiest of days. Each mini coat mirrors the grown-up version in craftsmanship and waterproof performance, but with a playful twist that lets kids be kids. It’s a celebration of love, connection, and timeless style.

Talk us through the signature silhouettes — the A-line full-length raincoat and long liner vest — what styling rules should customers follow to make them feel luxe instead of just practical?

Mernini’s signature A-line coat and long liner vest are about functional luxury — effortless shapes, refined details, and styling that says you didn’t just dress for the rain, you dressed for the day. The A-line coat flatters every figure with its clean lines and subtle structure, while the long liner vest adds texture, versatility and an extra layer of warmth.

Mernini products are designed as timeless pieces that let colour and layering do the talking. Mernini’s palette takes its cues from Newfoundland’s coastal landscape: deep ocean blues, chocolate tones, and bright hues that mix beautifully together. We encourage customers to play with colour; pair a classic Dory Yellow coat with a contrasting Peony Blue liner vest, or layer tone-on-tone for a more minimalist, monochrome look. We want our customers to express themselves through colour in a way that makes their purchase uniquely theirs.

Which technical fabrics or construction details are your “secret weapons” for keeping coats waterproof, breathable and flattering (and which of those should customers actually care about when buying)?

I was extremely intentional in selecting our fabric. Many raincoats rely on polyester backing, but I felt polyester didn’t give the structure or drape I envisioned for our A-line silhouette. Cotton offered the perfect balance; strong enough to hold its shape, yet soft enough to move beautifully with you walk. The polyurethane coating delivers full waterproof protection — rated to 10,000mm — ensuring you stay dry through even the harshest weather. Each seam is precision-welded using specialized equipment, creating a more durable and watertight seal than traditional taped seams, particularly when paired with our cotton backing. A waterproof rating tells you how much water pressure a fabric can withstand before it begins to leak. A 10,000mm rating means the fabric can resist heavy rain and harsh conditions without letting moisture in. It’s a key indicator of performance and durability and one that customers should always check before they purchase a raincoat. To keep you comfortable and prevent overheating, we added a large mesh vent across the back, protected by a waterproof flap that allows moisture to escape while keeping rain out.

Sustainability is top-of-mind — how does Mernini approach responsible materials, manufacturing and longevity so these pieces aren’t just seasonal buys but lifetime staples?

Sustainability for me starts with longevity. From the beginning, mernini was designed to be the opposite of fast fashion;  our products are pieces you invest in, care for, and keep. We focus on durable, responsibly sourced materials and thoughtful manufacturing that minimizes waste. Every element, from our waterproof fabrics to our welded seams, is chosen for strength, comfort, and timeless style. When a coat can last for years and still look beautiful, that’s the most sustainable choice of all.

Your price points are premium but accessible — how do you convince shoppers that investing in a well-made raincoat now pays off across seasons (and wardrobes) down the road?

True value comes from longevity. When one coat carries you through every season, every outfit, and every forecast, you know you have made a great investment. Our online reviews say it best when our customers talk about how their mernini still performs year after year, and how they can’t wait until it rains so they can wear their mernini. Many tell us they get stopped on the street with compliments. That kind of feedback means everything to me and is the best proof that investing in quality always pays off.

Fall is for puddles and fashion moments — any styling tips or must-have accessories (hello, rain hat!) you recommend for customers who want to make a splash while staying dry?

It’s all about styling with intention; a matching rainhat, a bold colour combo, and the confidence to treat every raindrop like a runway. Fall is the perfect time to show off your personality and style. Embrace colour and make the season your own. Rainwear can be fun, functional, and effortlessly chic all at once so be bold, authentic, and confident.

Win! A Mini + Me Set From Mernini!

Congrats Krista B. of Coleys Point, NL, who will receive a Mini + Me Set from Mernini:

• One full-length adult raincoat (the “mernini” 48″)
• One mini raincoat (the “mini” style for kids)
• Winner may select their colour and size preferences for both coats
• Total prize value: CA$524 (CA$325 + CA$199)

Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.