About
About
Hi, I'm the Shira behind yaya by shira! I'm a Toronto-based designer and artist, working worldwide. I specialize in fashion and surface pattern design.
I officially began my design journey when I studied in the Fashion Design B.Des program at Ryerson University, Toronto. My creative practice started from my passion for fashion and textile art, and since then I have also experimented with other art forms and techniques such as 3D printing, illustration, video and using found materials. I first came across surface pattern design during Fashion Design studies, and fell in love with this field.
Currently, my creative studio continues working in a few creative fields: fashion design, as well as illustration, surface design and multidisciplinary art. My work spans across commercial, product-focused projects for the apparel and home goods industries as well as artistic-focused works.
I’m open to client projects and creative collaborations, so if I’ve sparked your interest – get in touch!
Hi, I'm the Shira behind yaya by shira! I'm a Toronto based designer and artist, working worldwide. I specialize in fashion and surface pattern design.

I officially began my design journey when I studied in the Fashion Design B.Des program at Ryerson University, Toronto. My creative practice started from my passion for fashion and textile art, and since then I have also experimented with other art forms and techniques such as 3D printing, illustration, video and using found materials. I first came across surface pattern design during Fashion Design studies, and fell in love with this field.
Currently, my creative studio continues working in a few creative fields: fashion design, as well as illustration, surface design and multidisciplinary art. My work spans across commercial, product-focused projects for the apparel and home goods industries as well as artistic-focused works.
I’m open to client projects and creative collaborations, so if I’ve sparked your interest – get in touch!
Awards & Grants
2025- Favourite Window Installation, DesignTO People’s Choice Awards
2020 – Exhibition Assistance, Ontario Arts Council
2019 – Graduated from Ryerson University, Fashion Design B.Des “With Distinction”
2018 – Alice Mitchell Whitley Award in Apparel Design and Production, Ryerson University
2018 – David and Anna Bulmash Award for Innovation, The Fashion Zone and Ryerson University
Exhibitions
2025 – Design TO festival
2021 – Design TO festival
2019 – Mass Exodus Installation, Toronto
2018 – MAN-er-ism by Ryerson Menswear Collective, Toronto
2018 – Long Exposure Festival, Toronto
2017 – Making History, MLC Research Centre Gallery, Toronto
Publications
2019 – “Living as One”, Kaleidoscope Magazine
2017 – “Making History: Inspired by Courrèges”, Fashion Research Collection at Ryerson University
On Screen
2024 – “One to Five Minutes” film (costume design)
2021 – The Space Market at Stackt, Toronto
2020 – Long Winter TV