Creativity

Beyond the Runway: LaSalle Graduate Mahsa Shadafarin Dresses MLA Rohini Arora

A collection presented at Signature Show 2026 opened the door to a new opportunity for Fashion Design alumna Mahsa Shadafarin. When Rohini Arora, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Burnaby East, chose a gown designed by Mahsa for her graduate collection to wear at her birthday celebration at LaSalle College Vancouver, the occasion marked the beginning of a creative collaboration.

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Two women in elegant dresses pose for a photo on a rooftop patio with a cityscape in the background. The woman on the left wears a sequined gown, while the woman on the right is in a draped, satin dress.

For emerging fashion designers, presenting a collection is a major milestone. It is an opportunity to share their vision, showcase the skills developed throughout their studies, and connect with the industry. For LaSalle College Vancouver Fashion Design alumna Mahsa Shadafarin, a gown from her collection would become the starting point for an unexpected collaboration with Rohini Arora, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Burnaby East and former Deputy Chair of the BC Government Caucus.

Rohini chose LaSalle College Vancouver’s rooftop patio as the venue for her birthday celebration. To mark the occasion, the college’s Fashion Department organized a fashion exhibition featuring collections by recent graduates, giving guests the opportunity to discover the emerging talent behind the designs.

The image shows a fashion exhibition with mannequins displaying avant-garde outfits. The room features a modern design with a slatted ceiling and large windows, creating a bright and airy atmosphere.

Among the pieces on display was a champagne-coloured gown from Mahsa’s collection, defined by a corseted bodice and a flowing silhouette. It was the design Rohini chose for her event, as she later shared:

“I took one look at this corsetted champagne flowy gown and knew it was the right one for me. I had no idea that it was Mahsa who had designed it until I arrived at my event and got to meet her in person.”
That initial choice led to a collaboration that has since seen Mahsa create custom pieces for Rohini, including the outfit she wore to the Beyond Beauty Gala.

Two women in elegant dresses pose for a photo indoors, with large windows offering a view of the outdoors. They are smiling and appear to be at a formal event.

Reflecting on Mahsa’s designs, Rohini described her as “the ultimate translator of feminine power through fashion design,” highlighting the balance between “softness and strength” in her work. She also emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for artists to showcase their work and be recognized.

Born in Iran and based in Vancouver, Mahsa explores identity, resilience, and femininity through her designs. Her collaboration with Rohini marks another milestone in her journey, demonstrating how the work presented by emerging designers can lead to meaningful connections and new professional experiences.

At LaSalle College Vancouver, opportunities to showcase student and graduate work help bring these connections within reach. Mahsa’s story is a reminder that a collection can be more than the culmination of a designer’s studies: it can be the starting point for what comes next.

A diverse group of nine people, dressed in formal attire, pose for a photo outdoors. The group includes six women and three men, with varying ethnicities and styles.