EWMA (Enterprising Women Making Art)

Vancouver, Canada

Enterprising Women Making Art (EWMA) is a social enterprise of Atira Women’s

Resource Society, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ending violence against

women, children, and those who identify as women. Atira’s mission is brought to life

through safe housing and essential supports — including innovative, community-driven

initiatives like EWMA.

Based in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, EWMA empowers women and gender-diverse

people who have experienced barriers, violence, and marginalization. Through art and

entrepreneurship, it offers pathways for healing, self-expression, and income generation.

The artists at EWMA create a wide range of work — from fashion and textiles to ceramics,

visual arts, and accessories. Their creations are powerful reflections of creativity,

resilience, and lived experience. Since 2015, EWMA has proudly showcased original

collections at Vancouver Fashion Week, where community-made designs are celebrated

on the runway, offering recognition, confidence, and joy.

For the upcoming Spring/Summer 2026 collection, EWMA artists found inspiration in the

beach and the ocean — in the place where the sky meets the sea, and the sea kisses the

land. This resort-style collection highlights what one might wear at the beach — even if that

beach is only as far as your own backyard. Flowing silhouettes and soft fabrics bring

comfort and movement, while the palette draws from coastal tones: seafoam green, sky

blue, sand, and marine hues.

Each piece is a reminder that fashion can be a tool for healing, storytelling, and

empowerment.