Happy Birthday to Desserts and Skirts!
It seems like just yesterday, and a lifetime, all at once.
On May 1st, 2008, D & S was launched. It all started at Fresh Collective on Queen street west, in downtown Toronto. I had been working at Fresh Collective selling my jewelry in the store for about a year already when I got the bug to start sewing. Being surrounded by other designers was very inspiring, as was being a starving artist and wanting all the new clothes that I was selling to customers. One day I said "I bet you if I tried to, I could make a skirt". From that moment on, it was all I could think about. I was so lucky to be a part of this amazing community already. Every single designer being more than happy to answer any of my questions.
Someone gave me a sewing machine. I'm looking at you Candice of the Candi Factory. Someone gave me a serger. Oh hey Sherri from Cute Stuff! My friend Sharon had studied fashion design and taught me to use aforementioned machines.
My mom (hi mom) sewed a lot when I was a kid. She'd make things for my sister and I, and also for my Barbie's. When I was 15 years old I made myself a skirt and a pair of pants. They were not good. They were not even kind of good. And yet I wore my MC Hammer inspired pants, made of white (low thread count) bed sheets, to the mall. Yes I did. So I guess I did a bit of sewing when I was young, but it wasn't until more than two decades later that found the passion for it as a career.
I'm so happy I did!
Thank you to all of you for really making this possible! I would not be doing what I do if it weren't for you. Yes you. Hi.
All of you who come visit me time and time again at the One of a Kind Show, or visit me in my studio, and all of you whom I have not met who shop online (it's so fun!) or through the stores.
Thank you Laura Jean for inviting me into the world of Fresh Collective way back in 2007. It really is the birth place of Desserts and Skirts.
All the designers who were there with open ears and tons of knowledge, you were my school.
The One of a Kind Show for accepting me! You rock!!!
The stores that continue to support D & S by keeping us around! Workshop and Flock in Ottawa, The Collective Good in Whitehorse and any other store that has been with us in the past.
I hope to continue doing this for many years to come! (I can't imagine not doing it actually)
Thank you!!!
Much love,
Nicole
There is an apron giveaway happening in celebrations of this anniversary!
