VANCOUVER, Canada – The multi-talented Greek-American fashion designer, Sophia Zarifopoulos made her debut at Vancouver Fashion Week this April, where she showcased her latest collection –‘Jungle Feveress’.
Born and raised in Jericho, Long Island, Sophia knew she was ‘destined for something great’ – something that allowed her to get creative, while staying true to herself.
Throughout her lifetime, she completed fashion internships, took sewing classes, started up a t-shirt business and eventually became a stylist, where she’s constantly seen putting together unique looks across her social media.
It wasn’t until she moved to Greece back in 2023, where she truly found her happiness, that she decided to pursue her long-time passion for fashion.
Since moving, she has also ventured into music, DJing, singing, acting, comedy and content creation, proving her multi-talented abilities.
In November of 2025, Zarifopoulos was offered an opportunity to debut her first clothing collection, titled ‘The Reigning Balkan Princess’ at Athens Fashion Week, which led to her claiming the title of ‘Best New Designer’ – a feeling she previously described to The National Herald as one that was “so rewarding and so validating.”
Models wearing pieces from Sophia Zarifopoulos’ Jungle Feveress collection. Photo: Courtesy of @vanfashionweek)
This ultimately led to her being recognized and then invited to attend Vancouver Fashion Week, which took place from April 8 to 12, earlier this month.
In a recent interview with The National Herald, Sophia Zarifopoulos expressed how it felt to make her first Fashion Week debut in Canada.
“It makes me feel like I’m expanding slowly but surely,” Zarifopoulos told TNH.
“It makes me feel like although the boxes we put ourselves in can sometimes feel warm and cozy, ultimately, they are still boxes, they still hinder our growth,” she said.
“So whenever I have the opportunity to break out of my comfort zone, I do. That’s what this was for me. Just taking another step towards discomfort because that’s ultimately what leads to growth and change.”
Describing her experience on her show day (April 10), she said she had quite a positive experience.
“It was organized, everyone was super helpful, I felt more sure of myself, it was definitely less chaotic than my first show,” the young fashion designer expressed.
“It was just such a long day. We had fittings and rehearsals all in the same day, so by the time the show rolled around I was burnt out – I sort of left my body.”
Sophia Zarifopoulos’ Jungle Feveress collection consisted of 12 different looks.(Photo: Courtesy of @vanfashionweek)
Ahead of travelling to Canada, Zarifopoulos explained how she curated a collection called ‘Jungle Feveress’, which consisted of 12 different looks.
Discussing the collection, she noted how Jungle Feveress had “been in the works for two years now without me really knowing it.”
“I made a dress two years ago while I was doing my one semester of fashion design, and I presented it at the ‘δημοτικό θέατρο’ – the Municipal Theater – in Athens. I called it the jungle fever dress,” Zarifopoulos explained.
“That aesthetic has been brewing inside me for some time. I started making this collection 1.5 months before the show with no plan. But once I started sewing, it started turning into jungle fever – so I ran with it.”
She said of her inspiration: “I think what originally inspired this was a solo trip I did to Crete two summers ago,” she reflected.
“There is this river near the sea with a jungle-like forest alongside, and you can walk inside the entire river from start to finish. The colors are breathtaking – it altered my brain chemistry. I felt like that’s what the inside of my brain looks like, a jungle by the sea. I’ve been obsessed ever since.”
Models wearing pieces from Sophia Zarifopoulos’ Jungle Feveress collection. Photo: Courtesy of @vanfashionweek)
Zarifopoulos further expressed how the response to her collection “was overwhelmingly positive and that was largely reassuring.”
When asked what’s next for the Greek-American fashion designer and all-round creative, she said: “Everything.”
“Fashion-wise, I think my next goal is to present in one of the larger markets on a smaller scale. My dream is Paris. So, who knows maybe I’ll do a small showroom presentation or mini showcase during an upcoming season,” she added.
Zarifopoulos also noted how she was especially excited to announce the release of her debut EP as a singer.
