Rain jackets don't have to be boring. This Canadian brand proves it

Canadian outerwear brand Mernini. Photo by Mernini /Handout

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Canadians know that dressing for the weather can be tricky. And often unstylish.

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But Maria Halfyard is on a mission to change that. Through her brand, Mernini, she creates outerwear that merges functionality with bold, bright colours. We caught up with Halfyard to learn more.

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Q: For those who aren’t familiar, what is Mernini?

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A: Mernini is a Newfoundland and Labrador rainwear brand that I founded with a simple idea: bad weather shouldn’t mean compromising on style.

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Living in Newfoundland and Labrador, rain, wind and fog are part of everyday life. I wanted to create rainwear that was genuinely functional for our weather, but that women would also feel great wearing. Mernini has grown from that idea into a Canadian brand known for its distinctive silhouettes, bold colours and practical approach to weatherproof style.

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There’s a lot of Newfoundland in the brand. We’re located at the edge of the North Atlantic Ocean, and I think you can see both the resilience and the personality of this place reflected in what we create.

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Q: What makes it unique?

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A: I think it’s the combination of function, fashion and colour.

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Our original full-length raincoat was designed for real weather. It offers 10,000mm waterproof protection, welded seams and a longer silhouette that provides much more coverage than a traditional rain jacket. But we didn’t want it to look purely technical.

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Colour has always been a huge part of Mernini. Newfoundland and Labrador can have some pretty grey days, but we’re also known for incredibly colourful communities and friendly personalities. That contrast really inspired us. We use colour almost as an antidote to bad weather.

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So while performance is important, Mernini is also about how you feel when you put the coat on. We want people to actually look forward to wearing their raincoat.

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Q: Who is the target customer?

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A: Our customer is someone who wants practicality without giving up personal style.

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We have customers across a broad age range, which is something I’m particularly proud of. Rather than designing for a specific age, we design for a lifestyle. Our customer might be walking to work in Vancouver, travelling to Europe, heading out with the dog, standing on the sidelines at a soccer game, or dealing with a windy, rainy day here in Newfoundland. They want something functional and well-made and to feel put together.

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Q: Is there a hero product?

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A: Definitely. Our full-length A-line classic raincoat is the product that really defines Mernini. It has a very recognizable silhouette and gives you exceptional coverage, particularly in wind and rain. It’s the coat that established the brand and continues to be the piece people most strongly associate with Mernini.

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Q: What is the price range?

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A: Our rainwear is positioned as premium but accessible, with our core outerwear generally priced around the $300 range, depending on the style. We also offer complementary pieces, including rain hats and layering pieces, at lower price points.

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Mernini founder Maria Halfyard. Photo by Mernini /Handout

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Q: And where can people learn more?

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A: People can explore the full Mernini collection through Mernini.com and follow us on social media. We’re also incredibly proud that Mernini is available through Simons stores across Canada. For a brand that started here in Newfoundland and Labrador, seeing our coats reach customers across the country has been an exciting part of our growth.

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