Profile

Olena Zylak knit her first sweater at age 17 and serendipitously discovered her calling in life.

Over the next few years she designed and knit sweaters for virtually everyone she knew, and later began her professional career in Toronto as a costume builder for major productions such as Ragtime, Showboat, Tommy and Fosse.

In the summer of 1997, Zylak moved on from the world of theatre to create her own knitwear line. Her costume experience nurtured her use of hand-worked techniques and attention to detail, which have become hallmarks of the Olena Zylak collection.

Zylak uses imported yarns of luxury fibres to create a highly textured line that is at once precious and fragile, as well as sexy and strong.

A Toronto native, Olena Zylak now lives and works in historic Collingwood, Ontario.

Prince
Yes, that Prince. While in Toronto, his royalness bought an Olena Zylak chunky merino turtleneck with suede fringe, and strutted out to a Raptors basketball game. Needless to say, the Purple One’s fashionable appearance was headline news — a shot of Prince donning the sweater appeared in the Toronto Sun the following day.

Juliette Lewis
Beaded kid mohair web scarves by Olena Zylak were bought for the shooting of Claire (directed by Bruce MacDonald). Lewis undoubtedly enjoyed the scarf, as she continued to wear it during promotional interviews in support of the film.

Olivia Newton-John & Natalie Cole
Retailers report that both of these megastars chose Olena Zylak beaded kid mohair web shawls while shopping in Toronto.

Zylak’s handmade knitwear has been featured in Sportswear International, WWD, Lucky, Flare, Elle Canada, Elle Quebec, Clin D’oeil, Chatelaine, Toronto Life Fashion, Toronto Life, Harry (Harry Rosen Magazine), Canadian Living, Canadian Hairdresser, Salon and Elm Street — in addition to being profiled in Canada's largest newspapers.

Garments from the Fall/Winter 1999 collection were chosen for the Canadian National Ballet’s programme of that season.

And, Zylak’s pieces were once the focus of a double-page print ad for the home dry cleaning product Dryel.

1998
• Fashion Graduate of The Year, City of Toronto

1999
• New Designer of the Year, City of Toronto
• Style Magazine New Designer Award
• Eveleen Dollery New Canadian Designer Award

2002
• Matinee Fashion Foundation Grant Recipient

2010
• Excellence in Display — Bronze, at Circle Craft Christmas Market

The Olena Zylak collection is carried by finer boutiques throughout Canada.