Vasilka Nicolova, of Bulgarian parents, grew up in Toronto, Canada. Although she had an early interest in fashion design, she became a teacher before chance led her to design and sew evening gowns for patrons of the Nova Scotia symphony orchestra. Her interest in design turned to high fashion and the creation of the Vasilka line of women’s knitwear. Now retired, she travels, gardens, and continues her lifetime support of the Tibetan Bon Foundation.