At B.C. Fashion Week in April, Vancouver was introduced to Christie Clayton, the founder and designer behind Carny Love. As she strutted down the Generation Next runway, editors, designers, and the public alike caught a glimpse of the whirlwind personality that is Clayton—shocking pink hair and all.

Clayton has since dyed her hair a whitish blonde (“It’s so cool right now, didn’t you hear?!” she laughs), but that whimsical, light-hearted sensibility remains an integral part of Carny Love.

“My clothing is really niche,” she says, “so the people who like it are women with personality.”

Named for a family of characters in her favourite book, Geek Love by Katherine Dunn—a “cute but a little-bit creepy” story about a family of travelling circus freaks in which a mother sews clothing for her deformed children— Clayton’s line debuted in March 2007.

“It’s just over a year old, but it’s different when you’re on the inside—you always feel like, ‘This isn’t good enough,’ ” says Clayton, who grew up in Nelson and lives in Vancouver. “But if I was looking at it from an outsider’s perspective,” she continues, “I think it’s doing pretty well.”

Case in point: for BCFW’s Generation Next competition (at which this reporter was a judge), Clayton beat out numerous applicants to be one of three finalists. The contest is an opportunity for up-and-coming designers to showcase their work and vie for a prize that includes marketing assistance, Web site design, and industry mentorship. Although she did not win, “I learned so much,” she marvels. “I was disappointed, and I’m a sore loser because I’m really, really competitive, but it did so much for my credibility and it was such an awesome experience.”

In addition, “this is the first time I’ve ever been on time”, says Clayton, referring to fashion’s seasons-ahead schedule, in which store buyers complete their fall-product selection in the spring. “I’m also restructuring my business, working with an accountant, trying to get into trade shows to get my product into even more markets,” she continues.

Indeed, sales of Carny Love have tripled over last year’s figures, despite the current worrisome economic climate.

The exposure she has received from her participation in Generation Next, as well as print and TV interviews since then, has resulted in increasing orders through her Web site, and she’s had to do second production runs of bestsellers.

For spring, Clayton created 12 easy-to-wear, beach-friendly pieces, including a hip kangaroo-pocket hoodie ($128) and two bikinis ($98). The collection retails for $50 to $200 and was inspired by nu-rave music, with funky silkscreens and zipper pulls featuring the Holy Ghost, a somewhat-controversial, cartoonish icon Clayton designed herself. Like the Geek Love characters, it’s “cute but a little-bit creepy”—and bears a striking resemblance to an old-school video-game character. “Everyone’s been calling it the Pac-Man–inspired bikini,” she laughs, “but I’m not responsible for other people’s interpretations of my art, so if that’s the way they relate to it, it’s fine.” The entire range is produced here in Vancouver.

Her fall collection consists of 19 pieces and, beyond that, Clayton’s enthusiasm for the future is contagious. “I’m trying for Project Runway [Canada],” she says excitedly. “The deadline is June 20, so I’ve been working on my DVD!”

As if we needed any more proof that Clayton is one to keep our eye on.

Carny Love ( www.carnylove.com ) is available at Dream (311 West Cordova Street) and Pleasant Girl (2541 Main Street).