Froher calls herself a Contemporary Energy Artist, and it shows: her paintings surge with gestural movement, saturated color, and breath-fueled marbling that feels more conjured than painted. Her fashion, branded as Spirit Essence, by contrast, feels hushed and reverent - each garment a ritual in patience, in pigment, and in intention. But make no mistake, these are not simply garments or canvases. They are living archives, ceremonial objects woven with ancestral echoes and bold, modern clarity.
From New York to Paris, Froher’s work has illuminated the runways and gallery walls alike. But to speak with her is to understand that her creative journey is less about spectacle and more about sacred collaboration between self and soil, between energy and aesthetic, between what was and what might be.
In this exclusive conversation with Yuliya Suleymanova, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Suley Era, Froher opens up about her creative metamorphosis, the sensuality of slowness, and how dressing the body can be a deeply intimate act of storytelling.
Spirit Essence by Sandra Prest-Froher
Origins & Identity
YS: Can you tell us more about how your upbringing in a family of artists and musicians shaped your creative worldview?
SF: I was born into a family of 3 older brothers, all playing music and instruments. Our parents celebrated creativity, and music was something to be encouraged. Music evokes emotion, and the way my brothers expressed themselves musically has deepened the impact on both my art and fashion. My brothers acted as role models, each one unique and following their musical exploration, and sometimes all in the same band. Our house was always full of music and musicians. My eldest brother, Skip Prest, continued on his musical path for his entire life, eventually being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Their confidence on stage and their individuality in their musical journey push me to express myself in unique ways. My oldest brother's musical journey was filled with risks, and he was often breaking boundaries and exploring new territories, whether through sound or style. His fearless dedication inspired me early on to take creative risks. The biggest takeaway from my brother was to always be true to yourself, regardless of trends and popularity. When I asked for advice on fashion or art, he would always say, “Is this true to who you are today?” And is this an honest body of work?”
The Spiritual & Ancestral Thread
YS: You’ve said that you channel ancestral energies in your artwork. Can you describe what that process feels like for you?
SF: Before I begin my visual art, I clean off my vibration, meaning a meditation and dance with music, to make sure my own vibration is as high as I can get it in order to listen and receive the messages that come through me. My art practice is a journey into the spiritual realm. When I connect with the lineages of the past and allow their unique vibrations and stories to guide my hand, the resulting artwork serves as a visual expression of these ancient energies that are emoted into dynamic present moment shapes and colors to evoke a sense of freedom.
View the embedded image gallery online at:
Spirit Essence - Nature inspired fashion. Photos courtesy of Sandra Prest-Froher
https://suleyera.com/fashion/sandra-froher-interview.html#sigProId0e471ef84e
Nature as Muse & Medium
YS: Your fashion pieces are rooted in the land, incorporating elements such as leaves, bark, roots, and acorns. What draws you to these materials?
SF: As a Sto:lo person, we have an ancient connection and profound relationship with S’olhTemexw (Our Land). Using materials from the land is a way to honor and perpetuate this traditional knowledge, keeping it alive and in a contemporary form. In a world often dominated by mass production, choosing to work with natural hand-dyed processed garments is an act of reclamation reclaiming traditional practices. Working with these natural elements is more than just a fashion statement. This work is intended to be a living expression of culture, connection to land, ancestral knowledge, and a commitment to a sustainable future.
The Art of Eco-Dyeing
YS: The eco-dyeing process you use is incredibly intricate and slow. How does this ritual shape the soul of your pieces?
SF: The ritual of eco-dying is rooted in land, and the process demands connection and attention. This work is about the journey and the patience that reflects the Sto:lo philosophy of living in harmony with the natural rhythms of the land. The slowness allows for a greater appreciation of the subtle shifts in nature. It reinforces the understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from it, and that responsible stewardship is paramount; it fosters a deep sense of respect and gratitude for the gifts that our land provides.
In our Sto:lo teachings, “We are the land and the land is us.” The soul of this work is storytelling through fashion. Each step in this process becomes part of the story woven into the textile. The finished pieces carry the narrative of what my ancestors often thrived and strived for. Their knowledge of plants and botanicals was used for ceremony, medicine, nutrition, and purpose. My textiles are a mindful journey of connection, respect, and storytelling, deeply embedded in the rhythms of the land and the wisdom of my ancestors.
Sandra Prest-Froher - a Contemporary Energy Artist
Painting as Energy Work
YS: Can you describe the technique of blowing air onto the canvas? What does it unlock for you creatively?
SF: The act of blowing air currents is inherently energetic, and this energy translates directly onto the canvas, imbuing my work with a sense of motion and vitality. The method is less about precise control and more about intuitive response. As the artist, I am reacting to the paint’s movement, allowing for a more uninhibited and emotional expression. This process has helped me trust myself and my own intuition deeper. The process feels like practicing the act of letting go without constraints; it feels organic, honest, and unpredictable yet controllable. It allows me to create art that feels alive, full of movement, and uniquely born from the interplay of moment to moment.
Fashion with Intention
YS: What inspired you to step into the fashion world after years of painting?
SF: My journey into the fashion world wasn't a planned transition but rather an organic evolution sparked by a profound yearning for authentic creation. When the pandemic brought the world to a halt, it offered me an unexpected gift: time. Time to reflect, to wonder, and to delve into how I could create something that spoke to my Sto:lo heritage.
My curiosity led me to explore the land itself as a source of inspiration, specifically how it could yield color. This research unveiled the fascinating process of natural dyeing, and I began to experiment. What started as an experiment quickly blossomed into a deep love affair with the entire process. Gathering and foraging for materials became a sacred ritual, a direct line of communication with my ancestors and Mother Earth.
I was utterly enthralled with the vibrant results and profound sacredness of each step. This connection propelled me forward, driven by an almost magnetic force. My deepest desire is always to make my ancestors proud, and I genuinely feel their guidance in this work. The new path in fashion isn't just about creating garments: it's about weaving my history, my connection to the Earth, and my artistic spirit into tangible expressions of heritage.
Photo Courtesy of Fashion District NW
Sandra Prest-Froher | Spirit Essence at Fashion In Flight Show
Model: Aleksandra Parshakova / @aleksasolnce777
Sustainability & Reclamation
YS: Would wearing something handcrafted and naturally dyed change the relationship people have with their clothing?
SF: I believe couture fashion, fashion with meaning, can shift people away from fast-driven garments towards a more mindful, appreciative, and sustainable connection. Each garment is of the highest quality, using only natural fibers that often age beautifully. The uniqueness and individuality of handcrafted, naturally dyed items, where no two are exactly alike, begins a dialogue which feels more personal for the person wearing fashion. Wearing something hand-made, hand-dyed creates an invisible thread between the wearer and the maker.
One of the goals is to encourage buyers to buy fewer items, choosing quality and longevity over quantity and fleeting trends. It shifts the focus from constant acquisition to thoughtful curation of a wardrobe. Wearing nature-dyed fashion can spark conversations, providing an opportunity to educate others about sustainable practices and cultural significance.
Vision & Transformation
YS: What does “freedom” mean to you in the context of your creative expression?
SF: Art and creation are therapeutic outlets that have helped me personally overcome trauma from the past and self-doubt. It's a space to comfort fears, express vulnerability, and heal. When I am painting or creating fashion, it's a relief from reality and it provokes a sense of freedom for me. My paintings are unrestrained, and my fashion mirrors this with its fluidity and intuitive approach, giving them both space to find their own meaning.
View the embedded image gallery online at:
https://suleyera.com/fashion/sandra-froher-interview.html#sigProIdc5f2b23cb6
Energy Art by Sandra Prest-Froher. Photos courtesy of Sandra Prest-Froher
https://suleyera.com/fashion/sandra-froher-interview.html#sigProIdc5f2b23cb6
Reflections & Inspirations
YS: What’s one piece you’ve created, either a painting or a garment, that has stayed with you emotionally?
FS: I have created a MMIW Red Dress for my grandma, Ellen, who was missing and murdered at 17 years old. This dress keeps her story alive, that she mattered, and that I love her and thank her for everything she was. The Red Dress portion of Indigenous fashion shows helps to raise awareness for the missing and murdered women, girls, and two-spirited people who have left behind an absence in their families and communities. It's a visual reminder of lives cut short. When I create the Red Dress, I always use two colors of red: one symbolizes the color of tragic loss and bloodshed, and the other color red also represents the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities in our ongoing fight for justice and healing.
Looking Forward
YS: What projects or ideas are you currently exploring?
SF: I am currently exploring using nature itself as fashion. I am weaving the foot of seaweed into a wearable dress as a statement. I hope this fashion piece evokes a sense of connection, responsibility, and urgency regarding how we care for our environment. My hope is to foster vital conversations around the stewardship of our lands. I am also exploring traditional First Nations art forms with a mentor. It's an honor to hold these stories through art, and I want to be responsible as an artist and keep the stories alive. I hope to infuse these designs into wall art, copper jewelry pieces, and into my fashion to tell the stories of my Sto:lo ancestry in a more traditional way.
Sandra Prest-Froher is a Canadian fashion designer, artist, and natural dyer who lives and works on the traditional ancestral and unceded territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations. She was born in Terrace, BC, and currently resides with her family in Victoria, BC. She is a member of the Skwah First Nation in the Fraser Valley.
The Alchemy of the natural world occupies Sandra’s mind. Most days, she can be found hiking by the Salish Sea, foraging, gathering plants, nuts, seeds, and roots for the purpose of creating sustainable fashion. As a First Nations designer, Sandra approaches her creative process with the mindset of her ancestors. Mutual respect for nature and the world that we all live in.
For hundreds of years, the Stó:lõ women have gathered from nature to use botanicals for medicine, food, purpose, and ceremony. Through this process, Sandra feels connected to her ancestors and grounds herself through this work.
Froher’s Fashion and Art has been collected throughout Europe and North America
Sandra Froher’s Spirit Essence’s collection captures the essence of nature's beauty and raw femininity, featuring flowing silhouettes, ethereal fabrics, and earthy tones complemented by floral and organic motifs. Each piece showcases exquisite craftsmanship with hand-dyed textiles, intricate details like feathered accents, and natural embellishments that evoke a sense of grounded elegance and artistic freedom.
Inspired by the harmony of the natural world and human expression, the collection bridges the gap between fashion and art, offering designs that feel both intimate and otherworldly. The incorporation of unconventional elements like flower arrangements and rustic textures emphasizes the designer’s vision of celebrating individuality and sustainability.
