Narishdath Maraj is a Fashion designer, artist, and creative visionary, from Trinidad and Tobago. He began his formal art training in high school. He later attended the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Design. His career soon took him around the world, designing costumes and sets for Club Med Resorts in Florida, Turks and Caicos, Turkey, China, and aboard the world’s largest sailboat, the MSV Club Med 2. He also holds a Bachelor of Design in Fashion Communications with distinction from Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University).

Professional Journey and Current Role

Now based in Toronto, Narish is the founder of Narishdath Maraj Design Inc. a company dedicated to sustainable fashion and visual arts; through innovative upcycling and repurposing, he transforms discarded materials into high-value fashion and art. In 2022, he led the Branded Materials Transition Project, successfully diverting over 12,000 kg of Ryerson-branded materials from landfill. His work is focused on post-consumer fashion and textile waste reduction and management. He is also the Creative Director of m polo designs, a forward-thinking design consultancy specializing in creative problem-solving within the design industry. He is currently the Design Lead on a large-scale art installation made from medical and hospital waste for Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. Narish is currently the Visual Arts (AVI3M) at OOS.

Educational Philosophy 

Empowering students through a hands-on, sustainable approach to design education. His teaching philosophy centers on fostering creativity, critical thinking, and environmental responsibility.

• Encourages students to reimagine materials and design processes for waste reduction and resourcefulness.
• Emphasizes practical, hands-on projects that bring theory into real-world application.
• Instills a mindset focused on social responsibility and environmental impact. 

Personal Life

Narish enjoys traveling to new destinations, discovering new cultures, and finding new ways to express his creativity. He particularly enjoys dancing and staying active by hiking, paddleboarding, and kayaking.