About me:

I'm pretty short, about 5' tall. Which is why I started sneaking into my mom's sewing room at age 13, figuring out how to hem my pants so as to keep the flare in them. Before long I realized that my mom was actually fine with me using her machine - and I set about making medieval dresses and stretch pants, and organizing school fashion shows. I studied Theatre Production & Design at York University, focusing on costume design. I worked at a fresh air camp for teens in the summers, and spent time during the school year volunteering with street kids. All the while reading up on global issues like modern day slavery, wondering how I could best use my skills and passions to make a difference. In 2006, I created Copper Coin Arts, a youth program that uses recycled art to raise funds and awareness for various organizations (www.coppercoinarts.com). Over the past five years I have stayed active in the theatre industry, working as a seamstress at reputable costume shops and a designer and head of wardrobe on small productions. I love working collaboratively on creative projects, and watching the way art can transform people as well as materials.

Business Description:

Better Than Alchemy is a recycled design business dedicated to building community and providing women with opportunities to engage in redemptive art. I have spoken with many women who have spent much of their time and energy pursuing their professional dreams, but they haven't had a lot of opportunities to develop their creative skills. Through our workshops, our community members will learn skills that will help them to re-create and re-design clothes they would normally throw away. We offer step-by-step assistance, from the project planning stage to the pattern drafting to the sewing. We will make money not only by offering courses in re-design and studio rental packages, but also by selling our custom-made and ready-to-wear products. Our customers will want to return again and again, to take more workshops, or to buy products from the store. We will employ youth from our leadership development program, giving them opportunities to thrive as workshop leaders and product designers. They will develop skills in specific trades as well as transferable skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and project management. The program does not aim to churn out fashion designers, but to nurture creative thinkers who are able to take on a variety of challenges with confidence and a global perspective. There will be endless opportunities for growth, both in expanding the reach of our programs to other cities, as well as in the services and products we provide. We believe that our "throw-away" culture is not sustainable, and we are committed to finding a better way.

tagged cultural fashion/clothing other_services recreation retail