My name is Myla and I am a self taught designer and sewist. Gilded Girl is my handmade clothing brand, all made by me to live up to my younger self’s dream. Growing up calls for grieving. Grieving of your innocence, and grief of who you once were, who you can no longer be. My brand is for the girls who are honouring their innocence but growing into their womenhood - a beautiful, strong, but soft women. I hope each piece helps you find your way there :)
From the first time my mother asked me what shirt I wanted to wear, I realized how deeply clothing shaped the way I felt about myself. The colour of my shirt mattered, the material of my tights mattered, and the way my top fit mattered. No matter my age, how I felt about myself mattered. What you wear and how you wear it changes the way you see yourself. Fashion allows expression, and expression allows freedom within yourself. Fashion to me is an art that is freeing.
Over the years, that feeling has grown into something much bigger. Fashion is not only my passion but it is my purpose. It allows depth in a world full of shallowness. It goes beyond what we wear and touches who we are becoming. Fashion oversees appearance and speaks to the unspoken parts of who we are.
How It Started
As mentioned, my name is Myla Vrantsis, and I'm the founder and designer behind Gilded Girl. I'm based in Toronto and will be attending Toronto Metropolitan University for Fashion Design come fall. I've been self-teaching the foundations of fashion for years — sewing, garment construction, illustration, design, and the business side of the industry. In 2024, I started listening to what I'd always known was my calling.
It began with reselling secondhand clothing to keep me busy, which quickly sparked a deeper interest in upcycling and garment creation. After buying my first sewing machine, I attempted to sew fur onto the hood of an old sweater. It wasn't perfect — but I sold it. And then I made another. And another.
I continued because it simply made me happy. It made me excited, motivated, and at peace. So after I bought my first sewing machine, I decided to sew a skirt from scratch that I had a vision in my head of. I didn't start selling my garments that I made from scratch until a year later, but right when I started sewing, something clicked, and I immediately knew this was my future.
I sell my handmade pieces to share the Gilded vision - because it has transformed my life in an indescribable way and I hope to share the same with you.
The Gilded Girl Vision
Gilded - Covered in a thin layer of gold, representing something that has been refined, elevated, and transformed, while retaining its core essence.
The discovery of "Gilded" was when I was creating my first collection for my University application for TMU's Fashion program. Gilded stuck to me because it represents my "why" in design. I design for my younger self, but also for the women I am growing into.
I was a sensitive, free spirit little girl. But I could never find what felt like me in clothing, and I never felt comfortable in what I wore. My mom would tell me to wear these tights, or wear this shirt. But when I hated what I was wearing, I hated what I was doing.
Going into my teens, I developed insecurities around my body. My stomach, my back, my legs, my structure — I thought it wasn't meant for anything I liked. I stuck to my baggy grey zip up sweater with my black track pants because that's what felt safe to me.
Now, being able to create clothes wherever my imagination takes me, taught me that it's not you, it's the clothes. The right fit, the right style, the right colour — all matter to be uniquely you. Being a designer showed me the value beyond clothing. If we take clothing back to its original purpose, it was survival. But humans quickly started to use it as expression. Why?
Naturally, we use the art of fashion to show who we are. It is one of the biggest parts of our identity, and how we choose to present ourselves. I use fashion to show I am my younger self, I am my present self, and I am my future self - colourful, soft, feminine and uniquely myself. I design because I am no longer ashamed, or scared of wearing what I wanted to as a little girl. I design so that my younger self can live the dream of feeling like a little princess. I design so that I can express who I was, who I am, and who I am becoming. I design to share this story of self-expression with others, because it has freed me.
Gilded clothing revolves around soft, feminine silhouettes like babydoll cuts, delicate details, soft but bright colours, and honouring a woman's body. Everything here at Gilded Girl is made to order, meaning each piece is crafted specifically for the person wearing it. No mass production, no compromise, just love and care.
Why Made-to-Order?
The made-to-order model was a conscious choice. Fast fashion has its place, but it was never my place. I wanted to create pieces with intention — garments that are thought about, constructed carefully, and sent out into the world with purpose. When you order from Gilded Girl, your piece is made for you. That matters to me deeply.
What's Next
Gilded Girl is still growing, and I'm growing with it. Every order, every customer, every piece of feedback pushes me further. I'm dedicated to building a brand that stands for something — quality, individuality, and the belief that how you dress is one of the most personal forms of self-expression there is.
My goal is to expand into formal wear — and that door is already open. Formal occasions are some of the most meaningful moments in a person's life, and I believe the clothing worn to them should feel just as significant. A prom dress, a wedding guest look, an anniversary dinner outfit — these aren't just garments, they're memories. Gilded Girl formal wear will carry the same made-to-order intention: crafted for you, with you in mind, for a moment that deserves something truly special. If you have a formal event coming up and want something one-of-a-kind, I welcome you to reach out — because expression doesn't stop at everyday wear, and neither does Gilded Girl.
Thank you for being here at the beginning. It means more than you know.
Love,
Myla