As a sustainable brand, we are always thinking of ways to put people and the planet first. To us, sustainability is not just about using natural or recycled fibres, but also ensuring that everyone we work with is paid fairly and has access to safe working conditions.
We primarily operate on a made-to-order model, meaning that we only make pieces when you order them. This helps us reduce waste, save resources, and ensures we are not left with tons of unsold stock at the end of a season.
We stand true to our values at every chance we get, and being ethically made in Canada is no exception. Enter our lovely seamstress Alexis, who has been such an integral part in helping our brand grow to where it is today.
We caught up with Alexis to ask her a few questions about her life, her work, and her inspiration, and thought you'd be interested in learning about the woman who makes so many of our beautiful pieces.
But before we jump into the interview, I wanted to share a bit of backstory about our relationship. Alexis and I met in university where we were both studying fashion design. It was a fairly broad program, where many graduates ended up going in so many different directions. In the summer of 2021, we bumped into each other in a fabric store in downtown Toronto. I told her I had started a sustainable fashion brand, and was looking for people to help with sewing (because at the time, I was sewing everything myself). She told me that she was operating a small sewing studio where she occasionally took on small batch sewing work for other brands. The stars were aligned, and a few months later, we started working together.
Fast forward nearly 2 years and I could not imagine where the brand would be today without her. So let's jump in!
In 3 words, how would you describe your personal style?
"Minimal outfit repeater"
Love that answer, and honestly we feel the same! If you could travel to any time period, when would it be and why?
"Right now, I'd pick the roaring 20's. I'm reading a lot of books from this period, and it seems wildly fun."
Now tell us, you're exceptionally talented and so detail-oriented – where did you learn to sew?
"My mom made our halloween costumes growing up. She used a very old fashioned Singer [sewing machine] that my grandfather gifted her as a wedding gift. I tried to sew on it but it was too archaic! I was inspired by her from a young age, but I started my sewing journey in high school making tote bags out of sofa upholstery swatches."
Do you listen to music or podcasts while you work? What are you listening to right now?
"I mostly listen to books. Quite a few have overlapped with your reading list. Right now I just finished a fun book about Ernest Hemmingway's first wife Hadley. The book is called Paris Without End. Now I'm listening to The Sun Also Rises, and I have some F.Scott Fitzgerald on my holds shelf. "
Wondering what reading list she's referring to? Our DOUBLE ESPRESSO newsletter every 2 weeks has some juicy reading reco's (and meal / outfit / music reco's too)! Join the list below to get all our faves.
Can you tell us about the most exciting or challenging piece you've ever made? "I'd say the most complicated pieces are custom dresses for events. You really have to spend time working at a design and fit. It's a big challenge throughout the whole process. These garments are also deeply emotional for the client. I am honoured to be a part of their special day, but behind the scenes there truly can be blood, sweat and tears!"
You recently got back from 2 weeks in Kong Kong and Japan (we missed you), what was the highlight of that trip?
"I loved the way people dress in Tokyo. Of course there were people decked out, but the everyday person looked simply good. I've never seen so many well-fitted overcoats. I just loved it."
What's been inspiring you lately?
"When we were in Tokyo we visited many bookshops. They have a whole little neighbourhood filled with used books we couldn't get here. We also spent an evening at a restaurant called Photo Book Dining Megutama. They have over 5000 books which you can browse over dinner and a beer. It was such a special experience. I've been thinking more about how an image can be created, and how a sum of them can tell a story."
And lastly – describe your perfect Sunday.
"My perfect Sunday is in early summer. I'd wake up to streams of sun and the birds out my window. James would bring me a coffee in bed (which is rare! He sleeps in) and we spend the day chatting, biking, and picking a meal to cook together. Preferably something that includes parmesan! I love having dinner with friends, and falling asleep after laughing over a glass of wine with good company. "
We want to say a massive thank you to Alexis for chatting with us, and for helping us build Modern Sunday into the brand it is today!
+all images courtesy of Alexis, taken by James