Histoy of...Muriel

 

Maybe it is because Muriel Dombret always believed in the values of knowing a trade, or maybe it is because her grandmother was a great seamstress, or maybe it is all circumstantial...

In any case, back in her hometown Antwerp, Belgium, Dombret, began working for a private label. Dombret assisted the designer and was responsible for both the production coordination and the retail shop. During this time, she learned a lot about the industry, but she found she wanted to be more hands-on and hired a private pattern-making tutor. She bought a sewing machine and started to customize vintage clothing, buying and selling it out of her home. Once a week Dombret took a day long sewing class and in her free time she practiced her new skills.


Dombret moved to Ottawa, from Antwerp, Belgium, in 1991 and started sewing for various people whom she met during her early days in Canada. It was then that Dombret learned more about technique and speed.

In 1992, Clothes was founded.  Through the selling of wares on the ByWard Market in Ottawa, a time during which the market was still producer-based, Dombret met creative people in her new hometown and connected with the community.

Clothes opened its first shop and studio in 1994 in a location off the beaten track at 177 Armstrong Street. On summer weekends, you could still find Clothes at the ByWard Market, and the company started to explore and exhibit at various crafts shows throughout Ontario.

By 1997, it was time to expand and Clothes moved to Wellington West; and soon these quarters became too small and the latest move happened in 2002.  Remaining loyal to the neighborhood, Dombret moved to the building on the corner of Huron and Wellington. After a year of metamorphosis, the current location at 1258 became a new landmark amongst the trendy strip of Wellington Village.

Muriel Dombret went into this business not knowing where it would lead. It is a continually evolving creative process. Dombret now has the privilege and pleasure of working with 10 amazing multi-talented ladies. Clothes would not be here without them! And, of course, thanks to her loyal clientele, Clothes was able to grow into the amazing shopping destination that it is.

 

 

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