About

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I’m a fashion graduate who has worked in most fields of the fashion world, from mannequin modeling to design and production. I have been handcrafting my whole life,  I remember learning to safely use a sewing machine at the age of four. I was always encouraged to be creative and learn the process of making things.
I was born in Kingston, Ontario and was raised in a small community (Colebrook) just north of there. I presently reside in the town of Napanee, Ontario in a gorgeous red brick Victorian house, with my computer geek hubby and our daughter.

INSPIRATIONS
I was raised in a household where waste was always discouraged, if something could be reinvented and repurposed it was. My clothing and accessories were often hand me downs that had been recreated or my mother and I went fabric shopping so I could make a new outfit. Thus old clothing is just raw material to me. It has always been part of me to look at something and instantly see how  it could be individualized. I was never a fan of looking exactly like the other people on the street.
IsaTe’s comes from a combination of my daughter’s name and our last name. I pronounce it IS  A  Te’s.

WHAT & HOW
Most of my designs are made from clothing that I have repurposed with the occasional vintage or new fabrics/embellishments thrown in. This is where my hoarding –magpie tendency appears, I collect things that I find pretty and/or tactile. The way that I curb this hoarding tendency is to ransack my stash and make new things. I assure you that my studio often looks like it has been ransacked when I am in a creative mood.
My designs are created as I go, though I now have some basic design templates that reoccur. All my dresses and skirts are machine washable as I prewash everything. I do recommend cold water wash and low temp dryer or even better line dry.
All my creations are made by me, the materials are sourced by me. Occasionally a customer will provide clothing they wish to be recreated or if it is a straight donation to my stash I happily provide credit towards future purchases.
I am proud to say I do not outsource or have involvement  in off-shore production.