Kiwi fashion designers boost Canadian heritage

    VANCOUVER, May 6 /CNW/ - Here's a new concept that hasn't been tried
before - a fashion line inspired by Canada's heritage and legends, that locals
would actually want to wear.
    Most Canadians wouldn't be caught dead in one of the typical tourist
shirts. "That inspired us to create designs that were subtle, fashionable and
about local themes like the Vancouver's Woodwards building or Stanley Park
that locals could wear," says Ningnong co-owner Wynne Pirini. "Incredibly,
this concept has been untouched so far!"
    Ningnong's clothing has caught on fast, with stores all over Vancouver,
including 'the Bay', stocking up on the local-themed fashions. Ningnong is
currently working on expanding their fashion lines to Ontario, Quebec, and
Alberta.
    The kicker is that Pirini and co-founder Lauren McKee aren't even from
Canada; they arrived early last year from New Zealand after touring through
Southeast Asia.
    But these on-the-go entrepreneurs aren't just in town on business; Pirini
is on a quest to rediscover his Canadian heritage. "I've wanted to come to
Canada for so long. My grandmother was from Winnipeg. She met my Kiwi
grandfather while he was training in Canada to be a pilot in the Second World
War. They moved back to New Zealand to start a family."
    Canadian relatives who visited New Zealand brought photos of beautiful
BC. Pirini realized that he had to come to Canada to connect with his roots
and rediscover his Canadian heritage.

For further information: Wynne Pirini/Lauren McKee, at (604) 288-2189,
or Email info@ningnong.ca, Website: www.ningnongtees.com