Let me introduce you to Leslie Smith-Aragona, a long-time Burlington resident who says she is “now living her best life.” Leslie established herself in the fashion industry over 35 years ago as a fashion developer and designer soon after graduating from Sheridan College. There have been many bumps, twists, and turns along the road to where she is today, but her love for well-fitting, well-constructed garments made from high-quality fabrications has never waned.
Now upcycling top-quality brands, she modifies and refurbishes clothing and other items to give them new life, or what she calls “next to new.” Initially, her interest in upcycling was related to her appreciation of good-quality fabrications and garment design, but then she quickly came to the realization that there was a bigger picture for society as related to climate change and the massive amount of throwaway clothing that is disposed of after being worn just a few times.
“When I was a young woman, we were encouraged to invest in our purchases, buy the best quality we could afford for clothing, household items or appliances, etc. Buying well-made items that would stand the test of time. But a new generation seems to accept consumerism, valuing new over need, expecting a short life span for all purchases,” says Leslie. “We need to change this generation’s current way of thinking if we are going to affect what is now happening to our climate, and upcycling is one positive step in the right direction. I, for one, miss the quality of the clothing from the 80s and 90s, but I can capture it back through my designs.”
In addition to her upcycled clothing, she re-purposes clothing and textiles, accessories, wool, men’s ties, kilts, and saris into updated clothing for men and women, as well as making kimonos, Christmas ornaments, mittens, shawls, and bow ties.
Leslie says, “Find your fashion sensibility. Know what fits and what looks good on you and stick to it. Look in the mirror before you go out and if you don’t like what you see, change it. Care about yourself the same way you do about others. You don’t need to spend a lot on your wardrobe, just look for something different. A brightly-coloured pair of glasses, a pin, a scarf or a hat will make you stand out and can ensure that others will remember you.”
I asked Leslie how she got to where she is today. She said, “While my career was a fabulous experience, I aged out at 50 and had to reinvent myself.” During her first career, she had three wonderful children, struggled through a failed marriage, and she courageously came out as gay. For the past six years, Leslie’s store, The Thrifty Designer, was located on King St., Hamilton, but a combination of COVID-19 and two bouts of cancer has caused her to close her store and move her collection to the historic Cotton Factory in Hamilton, where she can focus on her own designs.
The Cotton Factory supports local fashion and textile designers and is located at 270 Sherman Ave. N. #OF268, Hamilton. Leslie’s collection is currently displayed in the showroom, which you can view by appointment. The Cotton Factory also currently has a show running from Dec. 10–13 and 17–19, from 12–8 p.m., which includes over 30 of the Cotton Factory designers and artisans.
“I love being at the Cotton Factory,” says Leslie. “I no longer feel like I’m going it alone, because there are many other designers you can network with for support and expertise. Everyone there is living their dreams, doing what they love.”
Working together with a group is not new to Leslie, as she has always worked together with others to support her community, giving back by volunteering and lending expertise at charitable events, such as fashion shows and fundraising initiatives. Most recently, before COVID-19, she was involved with Glamour in the Hammer, a charitable fashion event in support of the Good Shepherd. “It’s important to be a good steward in your community by helping others. Your efforts don’t have to be big, just do something to help when you see a need. I sell old buttons in my shop to support a local café for the homeless,” she says.
When I asked her what impact she would like to leave on this world, she said, “It is my hope to demonstrate to others that there are wonderful things in this world that don’t come from Canada Post. Ignore the consumerism and instead see beauty and appreciate the things around you. See the sunsets, take the kids to the beach in the winter dressed in a snowsuit. Balance your life in real time away from social media. Accept that in life we gain, we lose, we change, and we eventually die, and our job is to be present and ‘live our best life’.”
Contact Leslie Smith-Aragona at thriftydesigners@gmail.com.
If you have an idea for a local business hero for Blair to profile, contact: Blair@blairlancaster.ca.
