Cartelle Blog
"The Fashion Cartelle is one gutsy example of what can be achieved when real women combine hearts, minds and true-grit." -- Real Woman Magazine September 2008.
Truly this business has become an amazing accomplishment, but, just how did our adventure begin?
It started about 3 years ago over an intense conversation with friends. (Although, a glass or two of wine may have been involved.) Really it went something like:
“Why is it so difficult to find Canadian made clothing for women?" Followed by “If you do find these brands, why are they usually too expensive for the average Canadian woman?" And then "Wouldn't it be awesome, if ordinary women could have more input into the whole designing process?" Then the kicker, "Why do we have to end up so frustrated when we go shopping for clothes?" An animated discussion ensued about the fact that many garments never seem to suit or fit, our changing figure types. (Which just sort of happened somewhere between childbirth and menopause!) Of course, we could have simply rolled our eyes and left it at that. Rather we concluded that we would answer these questions for ourselves. So with those "bees in our bonnets" nothing would stop us from going forward. Afterall, we reasoned, we might actually be helping other true Canadian women who get just as frustrated about clothes shopping.
So a new business venture started then and there, quietly in small-town Ontario. We jumped all over this new idea.
We were blessed to enlist a young designer from London, Ontario, Nada Iannialice. She had strong industry experience and added her classic, yet simple Italian flare. With Nada on-board, and her solid fashion background, our combined creative efforts fast-tracked this project.
Concepts were drawn up, and sampling began-- this was completely new to us. Just how IS the clothing we wear made? We established contact with a respected manufacturing company in Toronto--the owner being a former assistant to acclaimed veteran designer, Alfred Sung. She has also produced clothing for other well-known top-notch design companies. Other vendors and suppliers were sourced out too, and this was only the beginning.
A basic collection was drafted and sketched out. WOW, our dream was becoming reality!
We believed we could offer quality-made, yet affordable fashions to compliment Canadian women’s figure types, and come up with a truly Canadian brand.
We sorted through piles of fabrics, studied colour trends, searched out styling details, created sample garments and set the foundation of our business.
Our logo and website were next along with promotional materials. Soon we began branding our label, calling it “The Fashion Cartelle”.
Once garments were in the production stage, our team with the help of family and friends, started attending major trade shows in London and Toronto.
The collection was first introduced on Rogers TV and The A-Channel.
Our inagural fashion show was at the Women’s Lifestyle Show in London, and before we knew it, we had attended Elle Magazine's first Canadian Fashion Trade Show, The Clothing Show at Toronto’s Exhibition Place, and The National Women’s Show.
We’ve been advertised and featured in the “Real Women Magazine” and Niagara’s Business Link.
Last year we conducted three major fashion presentations for The National Women’s Show in Toronto. This was a huge success and honour, considering well-respected Canadian Designer, Linda Lundstrom featured her collection there the year before! (A beloved fashion designer in the business since 1974!)
This venture has required a lot of time and energy but we have learned so much, and hope many others will enjoy the results of that knowledge.
The Fashion Cartelle is proud to announce that our Fashion Designer, Nada Iannialice will be on The Shopping Channel, Sunday May 23rd at 9:00 am. Check it out to view our latest Canadian collection.
