Humble Beginnings

I started life with nothing to grasp. We grew up so poor we had to eat from shelters, and live off powdered milk, abused by everyone I trusted and learned to only rely on myself. My siblings and I ended up in random foster/group homes eventually making our way back to our mom after being drenched by the system. The only thing that took my focus from the bad was creating, anything and EVERYTHING!

I remember some of the first things I created were tiny little food items out of fimo (a bakable clay) when I was about 6 years old. Everyone was always so impressed that I had thought of little things like ketchup bottles with lids and hot dogs with a string of ketchup and mustard on them. I dabbled in photography when I was 15, getting some of my photos into art galleries, but lost interest quickly. I also started training with elite hairdressers thinking that's where I was going to be headed.

I think the real turning point for me was when someone gifted me a used sewing machine at 16 years old; I sewed for months straight. I didn't have a full time job then and battled with depression and low self esteem (I actually can't even imagine myself as this person anymore, it's strange) Part of what changed me most was creating my own wardrobe that no one else had. Strawberry shortcake skirts and tube tops (I was young, I know I know) I really just started to become who I was meant to be. I was finally taking interest in taking care of myself and my diabetes, that I had matured into someone confident, streetwise, creative and came out with a great sense of humor on life.

I began my mens neckwear label in 2010 after reconstructing vintage neckties for women accessories as a side hobby. I was making hairbands from silk neckties as well as mini tie necklaces, mini tie earrings, ascots and more. I almost couldn't sleep at nights imagining all of the pieces I was going to make the next day. Life got REALLY exciting.

I got a job making lavish hairbands for Holt Renfrew through a local hairband designer studio called Le Catagon. I really owe the two ladies who completely ran that studio a ton of gratitude for their trust in teaching me all the tricks of hand stitching for high end retail.

After that I quickly realized I needed more business savvy experience so in 2010 I was laid off due to down sizing and managed to get into an amazing small business program to learn how to put together an intriguing business plan and I did!


Since then I've been featured in Magazines like British GQ and was the Bowtie Sponsor for TIFF 2013. People like Rhys Darby (Murray from Flight of the Concords), Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Steadman, and William Baldwin own Handsome&Lace, just to name a few!

When times get tough now, I always look to the picture of me as a kid and think "I'm doing this for you!" as if that little girl is mine and I'm there to protect her future.

I never look back with anger or sadness, but instead I'm grateful all of those things happened because running our own business takes a lot of strength, and I don't think I would have it in me otherwise.

Now, I am happily married, living my dream full time, and have every bit of confidence I should have had from the beginning. Life is beautiful if you can imagine it can be! <3

-Keira