OFFICIAL BIO

Founder & Creative Director, Peggy Sue Deaven-Smiltnieks

Peggy Sue Deaven-Smiltnieks graduated with a B.F.A. from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). She founded Peggy Sue Collection Inc. with the mission of taking steps towards revitalising the North American Farm and Fibre Industry. She works directly with farmers, start-up mills and artisans to design sustainable clothing that celebrates their skills.

She has spoken at both New York University [NYU] and the Rhode Island School of Design [RISD] on sustainable sourcing. She is passionate about creating a product that tells a story and uses natural North American materials to their fullest extent; by growing and educating a conscious consumer and dedicated fibre industry.

Having worked with many luxury brands and houses: Roksanda Illincic (London), Bruno Duluc (Los Angeles), SAKS Fifth Avenue 611 (New York City), Trinity Repertory Theater Company (Providence), Peggy Sue has come to believe that true luxury not only lies in the quality construction of her garments, but in the heritage of her fabrics and fibres that can be traced back to the individual farm that raised them, the mill that spun them, the artisan that made them.

In a time where a garment's maker and its fibre source are anonymous, Peggy Sue seeks to effect change in the industry by producing an exclusively North American Collection that honours the Farmer, the Maker and the Creator. For without their time-honoured skills, knowledge and hard work there would be no fibre, no fabric, no fashion.

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“@peggysuecollection makes fashion that honours the farmer, the maker & the creator. W/o them there is no fashion.”

— tweetable

FACTS & FIGURES

The Peggy Sue Collection was established in 2009 by fashion designer, Peggy Sue Deaven-Smiltnieks.

In 2016 the Peggy Sue Collection won the Toronto Fashion Incubator New Labels Award with a locally sourced haute couture Runway Collection.

Peggy Sue works directly with local farmers to source raw wool and alpaca. Her intention is to bring value to the local fibre economy and highlight the beautiful materials it produces.

Custom yarns are created from the raw wool and alpaca. Working in collaboration with local mills, the fibres are scoured, blended and spun into unique yarns.

All hand-woven fabrics use these custom yarns and are woven in Toronto, Canada by Upper Canada Weaving.

The Peggy Sue Collection is proud to work with 20 farmers, 20 makers and 13 creators.

Local artisans are commissioned to produce ethically-sourced natural shed antler accessories.

When sourcing a material, maker or creator, the Peggy Sue Collection first looks locally in Ontario. Only if the material is not available do we look for a North American source. If it’s not available in North America, it’s not used.