Toronto based designer Olga Saras is recognized across the country for her ingenuity and refusal to let traditional design expectations dictate her knit creations. Born in Moscow, Olga draws inspiration from her former career as a ballet dancer. While at the Moscow Academic College of Choreography, she majored in Classical Ballet and also studied Folk Dancing, Music, Theatre and Art.
In the mid 1980s she joined the Red Army Choir where she excelled in ballet and traditional Russian folk dance. Soon after, she was admitted to the world-renowned Dance Group Berioska, and toured Europe and North America extensively. Her time with the Dance Group provided an opportunity to dabble in costume design. Soon she was designing many of the outfits she and her colleagues performed in.
As her dance career was winding down, Olga's burgeoning interest in fashion led her to enroll in the prestigious Moscow Academy of Design, where she completed the Fashion Design Programme. While she eventually returned from stage performance, Olga's future creations would reflect the grace and elegance of classical dance she so adored.
After moving to Canada, Olga began to apply her creativity to garment design. Starting with fabrics, she soon found that knits allowed her to express her deep love of form and function as only a dancer could appreciate.
At first she began by designing sweaters and then expanded her line to include her now famous knit skirts that remain a key component of her collections. Accessories soon followed and she now conceives and creates an ever-expanding range of scarves, shawls and other marvelous accessories that defy definition.
Olga's trademark style is open-weave knits. She selects yarn from around the globe and utilizes innovative techniques to create pieces that often resemble works of art. They range from classic to daring but are always feminine. Many are one-of-a-kind.
Olga's success has been built almost exclusively through reputation and word of mouth, with loyal clients referring their friends and acquaintances. Olga's retain efforts began with her cozy boutique and studio in Bloor West Village (Toronto). After establishing and nurturing a robust client base in this upscale locale, Olga opened a second boutique in the forward-thinking Queen Street West fashion district.
Stylishly classic, whimsically feminine, sophisticated and sensual. From stunning winter classics to flirty summer essentials, Olga Saras offers beautifully crafted, exquisite collectibles for every occasion.