College student puts her stamp on Canada Post designs

If your neighbourhood letter carrier walks by in a sharp new uniform, you might thank Karah Nicholls.

A fashion design student at Lethbridge College, Nicholls won second prize in a national competition sponsored by Canada Post in collaboration with Logistek Unicorp. It’s aimed at promoting new trends in uniform garments, as well as fostering fashion design professionals’ career development.

“Winning this award was very unexpected,” admits Nicholls, the only Western Canadian selected for a cash prize. Having graduated from the college’s Fashion Design and Sustainable Production program, she will use the award to allow her to travel to Australia for a fashion internship.

Competitors were asked to re-imagine Canada Post’s current dress code, while respecting the restraints that the job presents.

“I tried to not only complete the requirements, but to also create looks that took the basic uniform to the next level,” she says. “I wanted the uniforms to appeal to everyone who wears them by adding a fashionable edge, while keeping in mind the functional aspects of the uniform.”

So Nicholls designed six different uniforms for Canada Post personnel, including innerwear and outerwear for a variety of roles, covering the challenges of both summer and winter weather.

Nicholls, along with fellow student Katie Stutheit, was also selected recently to showcase her designs at a Sask Fashion Week event in Regina.