Paris-based designer Calla Haynes grew up in Toronto and studied Fashion Design at Parsons School of Design in New York. After working for several luxury houses in Paris, she launched her namesake label in 2009. Calla established a fresh balance between refined and relaxed. The collection was lauded by the fashion press including Vogue and Elle, and Haynes was the subject of a profile in the New York Times. Printemps, Harvey Nichols, Isetan, Opening Ceremony and other leading luxury retailers carried CALLA. Through her label, Calla was a finalist in several design awards including the Grand Prix of Design of the City of Paris, the Dorchester Fashion Prize, and four nominations for the ANDAM Award.
Placing the ready-to-wear line on hiatus in 2015, Calla focused her attention on collaborations with diverse high-end brands around the world both as a textile designer and design consultant.
This collaborative spirit inspired Calla to seek out artisans in Morocco to explore the space between European Luxury and Berber Craft. The result is "The Boucharouite Project": initiatives that focus on two key themes of Sustainable Design - recycling textiles and supporting traditional craft. This includes an ongoing series of rugs made with female weavers, and a collection of Babouche slippers handmade in the souk of Marrakesh using upcycled vintage Boucharouite rugs. The project continues past the borders of Morocco with a furniture collection with Toronto-based makers Coolican & Company and new collaboration with the French clog makers Bosabo.
