Designers Megan Dengerink and Nadine Spidla make up the real-life duo behind the Vancouver-based apparel company Imaginary Friend. Besides sharing a friendship and similar design aesthetic, the two women both discovered sewing at a young age through their grandmothers.
Originally from Michigan, Megan met Nadine, who is from Saskatchewan, during their studies at Vancouver Community College's Fashion Arts program. After graduation in 2004, they worked independently in costume and in-house design, but came together to share their complementary skills, where Megan's creativity and passion for detail created a fine counterpart to Nadine's technical curiosity and know-how.
Although the company has a short history, it launched with a bang. Soon after the release of its Spring 2007 collection, Imaginary Friend received international attention. While visiting Vancouver, American actress Zooey Deschanel bought the Imaginary Friend halter-style wrap dress, and loved it so much, that her Oscar-nominated costume designer ordered it for Deschanel's next movie, The Happening.
Imaginary Friend's apparel attracts women who have a keen eye for design details and appreciate comfort coupled with an edgy versatility. It's clothing for smart, yet playful women who are in tune with the trends, but would rather trail-blaze with inventive pieces that shift effortlessly from work to play.