I have known Maya Bergeron for several years, but it feels like I’ve known her all my life. She is the kind of person who cares deeply about what makes someone who they are. She has an incredible ability to truly see people. That sensitivity is mirrored in her work with textiles. Maya perceives fabric not just as material, but as a reflection of the hands that spun, dyed, and processed it. She considers the lives of the people behind the cloth, the hardships they face, and their daily struggles. What she creates with that fabric honours them and acknowledges the effort that is often taken for granted.
Despite being so young, she’s accumulated a wealth of life experience. She celebrates diverse cultures and appreciates the fullness of life. I see her vibrancy even through cooking—each meal is flavorful and carefully prepared. I see the immense joy Maya gets from filling people’s bellies. This same vibrancy shines through when she sorts through piles of fabrics at thrift stores or warehouses. She has a unique eye, even when she’s casually capturing moments with her phone camera. I’m often in awe of this aspect of her.
Maya’s vision is dynamic; she sees the potential in forgotten materials and breathes new life into them. Uni Design clothing is functional art, and as a nonbinary person, I feel truly comfortable wearing her pieces. It’s this ability to see and honour individuality that makes Maya so special.
Self-taught, driven, and imaginative, Maya invests tremendous effort into her business—marketing, sales, design, and the hands-on work that goes into Uni Design. She is driven by an unrelenting imagination and a commitment to her craft. Her drive to explore her business has led her to teaching and collaborating with other artists. Maya is constantly inspired, and that quality makes it a joy to be around her and see her creative process.
She provides a kind of care that is nonjudgmental, respectful, and compassionate. It’s only natural for her to do what she does: clothing people while utilizing fabric that would otherwise contribute to landfills. Maya is acutely aware of environmental issues and humanity’s impact on resources. Maya’s empathy drives her to bring people together, especially women and gender-diverse individuals. She knows how to empower others, and that skill is a true gift. As a small business owner, she has faced countless challenges and uses her experiences to share knowledge, rather than compete with others. She understands the importance of community, especially in today’s world. I’ve learned so much about leaning into support and claiming space from Maya.
I know that Maya will always be in my corner, and that gives me immense strength. Building people up comes naturally to her, a quality we should all cherish and seek out in our lives. I have such admiration for Maya’s constant dedication to growing Uni Design and the way she transforms ideas into reality with passion and purpose.
-Written by Marlo Lloyd, bestie extraordinaire
***
Which neighbourhood are you in?
I’m currently living in Marpole. It feels a little bit disconnected from the city which I enjoy. I loved the Spring when the streets were exploding with cherry blossoms. I often go on walks and longboard rides along the Arbutus Greenway as well as try different foods this area has to offer.
What do you do?
I am a textile artist and fashion designer. I design and make clothing from all kinds of beautiful repurposed materials. I take high-quality fabric such as vintage wool blankets and sweaters, deadstock fabric, linens, silks, and cashmere, and give them a new, wearable life using patchwork and improvisational sewing techniques. I use all my scraps for more complex artistic piecework.
What are you currently working on?
I am the kind of person who always has multiple projects on the go. I’m currently creating a collection of denim hoodies using post-consumer jeans collected by Westbrook Community Centre. I’m making thick patchwork wool sweaters with all kinds of vintage knits. For the Crawl, I’m collaborating with Laura Clark on a very special collaborative collection featuring her black-and-white photography, printed on silk and knit fabrics. I’ve also been brainstorming about teaching patchwork online and in person in the new year.
Where can we find your work?
I share a lot of my process on Instagram and finished pieces on my website. In-person you can find a selection of works at the Circle Craft Store on Granville Island, and at the upcoming Circle Craft Christmas Market. You can try on designs or come shop fabric for custom orders by appointment in the studio. For Culture Crawl I’ll set up at August Studios.
