It’s been an age!

I don’t often have much time or energy but today happened to be a snow day and we are unable to make it to the Atelier - which then offers up a sweet little window to reflect on the last many months.

2021 was a tremendous year. Despite the global pandemic life continues as it must and with it change as it will. Since the chance inception of MG I had been working from a small home studio. We have a small house with only 2 bedroom, one of which then became The Studio. This small feat of owning a home allowed so many possibilities that were otherwise unavailable to me.
I was forced into retirement from house-painting (a 10 year career) and fell into what was my dream job: linen clothing.
The privilege and determination via this tiny home studio allowed me the capacity to make a dream a reality.

But - the space was finite and no matter the ingenious attempts to squeeze more room out of the 200 sq.ft. I was eventually forced (in the best way possible) to move out.

The goal of having an external studio was attempted at the onset of 2020 - but that was thwarted (or perhaps quietly, and potently on hold) until the absolute right time.

My partner in life, Jesse, was also a house painter - and as I fledged for the first couple of years with MG he supported my dream. But his turn for support came as he too needed to leave painting. My goal for 2021 was to be financially stable enough to make the space for him to slowly leave the industry.

During the beginning of 2021 we had the opportunity for him to ‘help out’ as he was slow of work and my right hand woman, Jeneva, was a new Mom.

We tested the waters.

It went well.

The house filled up with to rafters with work that we could barely LIVE in our own home.

Crunched some numbers.

Had some big conversations and came to the realization that it was no longer feasible - both energetically + fiscally - to remain in the home studio.

We needed a bigger studio. All our chips were in and it was now or never.
It felt truly exciting + terrifying simultaneously. Thrilling, one might say.

On 21 June - Summer Solstice - we collected the keys for a new studio space in one of my favourite neighbourhoods in all of the Comox Valley, Tin Town in Rosewall Crescent, Courtenay.

We found ourselves via a magical, twisty-turny journey to the most ideal space we could ever have imagined.
The studio is BIG, full of light and beautiful - though it did require much painting as the entire 1200 sq. ft. was a midtown grey - floor to ceiling.
(good thing I know a painter!)

Jesse and a dear friend also in the biz spent the better part of the heat dome we had this summer painting the studio.

All the while I was still working via the small studio, even while the studio slowing dissolved around me while the moving crew took it apart piece by piece.

By August The Moss Grey Atelier was open for business.

I cannot express my joy and appreciation for all that has transpired.
The Atelier gives me so much more access to customers - to see how clothing fits, receive direct feedback, and be nourished by the one on one interactions.
There are so many regulars who stop by just to say hello which makes my heart explode with joy.

The Atelier is a working studio. We have our workshop where we work and have a small boutique at the front of house where one can shop and try on samples.
It’s all an open concept so a visitor can see how we work, feel the process and be apart of the overall energy of the space. It’s very special!

And Jesse was able to retire from painting!
He now works full-time with MG in the workshop and we are very happy to be working together again.
It’s essentially a family business.

We also brought on more seamstresses to the team - as demand has increased - and we are so blessed to have them all! Such an amazing group of women! The company is nothing without them xo

This year is on Creativity + Collaborations.

Keep your eyes peeled as we share details in the coming weeks and months.

Be well,
Destanne