Fashioning change: alumnus Narishdath Maraj’s passion for sustainability
Narishdath Maraj is a Project Administrator in TMU’s Sustainability Office. Photographed by Franco Deleo.
From a very young age, Narishdath Maraj, Fashion Communication ’22, knew he wanted to be a fashion designer.
“My mom had lots of saris,” Maraj recalled. “I would spend a lot of time draping myself and dancing around the house with all these billowing fabrics.”
Throughout his childhood, Maraj would spend hours sketching dresses, designing outfits and building wardrobes for his sister’s dolls using fabrics from old curtains and saris. Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, Maraj says being mindful of unnecessary waste, especially with fabrics, was just a way of life.
“That’s our culture,” he said. “Being resourceful, reusing everything, and making sure hand-me-downs were well taken care of was just part of my upbringing.”
Narishdath Maraj works on a skirt in his studio.
After graduating with a fashion degree from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Maraj spent five years touring the world with French travel and tourism company, Club Med. He was hired to design the costumes for the nightly performers and regular entertainment staff. This role challenged Maraj to be resourceful, as he was often expected to dress entire dance troupes with no budget.
“There was a room full of costumes from previous designers and I had to repurpose and rework the items,” Maraj said. “So I spent five years honing that skill of repurposing and upcycling.”
In 2016, Maraj decided it was time to invest in himself. With the help of a long-time friend, he moved to Toronto and opened his business, Narishdath Maraj Designs Inc. (external link, opens in new window) , in a studio located in the city’s Corso Italia neighbourhood. The business focuses on repurposing textiles through visual arts and fashion design. Whether it is scraps added to abstract paintings, entire fabrics being given new form, or reusing smaller elements such as buttons and zippers – all of Maraj’s art incorporates elements of upcycling. Additionally, he offers free consultations to clients who are interested in repurposing old clothes but are unsure how to approach the process.
Narishdath Maraj presents his abstract paintings at an exhibition.
After running his business for two years, Maraj opted to expand his industry expertise by enrolling in the Fashion Communication program at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in 2018. The program, centred on promoting fashion across various platforms, also aided Maraj in refining his brand’s commitment to sustainability.
Embracing sustainability
Shortly before Maraj graduated in 2022, the university officially announced its decision to take on a new name. This prompted Maraj to look into TMU’s plans for its Ryerson-branded items, including merchandise, apparel, stationery and souvenirs, which had the potential to be repurposed rather than disposed. After a conversation with the university’s Athletics and Recreation team, Maraj was hired to begin working on the Branded Materials Transition Project (BMTP). Though his work initially focused on clothing, including uniforms and branded swag, the scope quickly expanded to also include other materials such as metals, wood, plastic, paper and ceramic items.
“I think having my artistic background as well as my fashion background really allowed the space for us to be creative and resourceful when figuring out how to cover up the name or remove it entirely,” Maraj said.
In 2022, TMU Athletics and Recreation hosted the Upcycled Gear Fashion Show (opens in new window) . Twenty fashion designers, made up of local designers and School of Fashion alumni and students, created 27 one-of-a-kind looks using the branded Ryerson and Rams materials. Maraj was among the designers, and created a custom convocation gown made of jerseys, socks, lanyards, gift bag strings, felt pennants and table runners.
President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi in a custom convocation gown designed by Narishdath Maraj, Fashion Communication ’22.
Since its inception, the BMTP diverted nearly 12,000 kg of materials from landfills through donations, recycling and debranding. And while Maraj’s work with the BMTP is winding down, TMU’s dedication to sustainability ensures a wealth of initiatives for him to champion. His latest endeavor is with Human Resources’ Future of Work project. In this role, Maraj assists departments and faculties across campus in implementing sustainable waste diversion programs and prioritizing mindful purchasing, especially concerning branded items. Through his work, Maraj hopes to continue contributing to the university’s desire to strengthen environmental stewardship and promote sustainability practices throughout our curriculum and community.
“Cultivating a culture centred on reuse and repair is paramount, alongside fostering mindfulness regarding the waste we generate,” Maraj said.
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Do you want to learn more about how you can bring a sustainability focus or mindset to your organization? Check out TMU’s sustainable purchasing guidelines to learn more.