My father’s journey in textiles began as a teenager working at the Dominion Woollens Mill in Hespeler (now Cambridge), Ontario. After serving in the Canadian Air Force during World War II, he benefited from a government initiative that funded veterans’ university education. With his experience in the textile industry, he chose to attend Lowell Technical School in Massachusetts, earning a BASc in Textile Engineering. Upon returning to Canada, he worked at Dominion Silks in Drummondville and Spinrite Yarns in Listowel. He had a deep passion for textiles—the textures, the colours—and he even taught me how to knit.

My mother was a talented seamstress, not only creating matching outfits for us but also running a custom sewing business from our home, designing bespoke clothing for clients. She passed her skills on to me, and before long, I was sewing my own clothes, inspired by her craftsmanship and attention to detail. Though I pursued a BASc in Mechanical Engineering and an MASc in Systems Design, leading to a career in nuclear safety, my love for sewing never faded. I continued making clothes, now for my daughters.

A change in work location that did not work for my young family and a few twists of fate led me to a market stall at St. Lawrence Market in Toronto, selling children’s hats. Soon, local shops took notice and began carrying my handcrafted designs. And just like that—Puffin Gear was born.