Thursday, March 13, 2014

Meet the Designers: Celina from Petit a Petit

Hello! My name is Celina and I blog over at Petit a Petit and family and I cannot tell you how excited I am to be here today. Let me tell you a little about myself. 



I was born in England, by the sea in Brighton and lived there until I was one and half,  then I moved to Morocco in the capital of Rabat until the age of five when I moved to Montreal, Quebec and have been living here ever since. This might explain my explain my eclectic tastes from vintage to modern, from quirky to classic.

As for my first sewing experiences, I would say they date back to days where I made my barbies lots of clothes, I could spend hours on end. I took my first sewing class at the age of 13 but it wasn't until my last year in University where I had a lighter course load and decided to take extra night classes for sewing and pattern making that my passion for fashion really grew. I then completed a 2 year intensive program to become a fashion designer. After graduating I worked for various Canadian companies until I decided to launch my own label, Laila B.- a collection of up-cycled clothes for girls. This was long before I had any children of my own. I just loved the possibilities children's design could bring. I did everything from conception, samples, patterns, sewing, selling- you name it! I sold at craft markets and through word of mouth. I also open up a cute little boutique/ atelier which carried all the best indie designers of the time and some of my creations as well. 

It was 6 years ago, when my son was born that I decided take a break to be a stay at home mom and 2 years later I had my daughter. I gave designing one more go when my daughter was one, and created a spring/ summer collection for babies to teens, after only one boutique had booked the collection ( the coolest kids store in Montreal nonetheless) I knew I had to move on and found a full time job making personalized gifts for a small family owned business. Knowing I wouldn't be able to design anymore and to keep my passion alive for children's design I started my little blog. That was 3 years ago. 



I am now a working mom who blogs in her spare time. I mainly talk about children's design from clothing to toys to books and what not. I also showcase some of my creations and the sewing I do for my kids. Although I have been blogging for 3 years now, I've only really started sewing for my kids on a regular basis since last spring. You can review all of my sewing projects HERE if you like. 

Besides blogging,  this year I launched STYLO magazine with Jess from the Sewing Rabbit, it's an online magazine all about kids sewing and fashion. Issue 1 was so much fun and we are now working on issue 2 which will be out in May.  
I am also a contributor to the pattern collective Willow & Co, where we will be launching our first collection in April which you can see here. And I am working on creating more PDF patterns under my own company In+Seams patterns. You can say I like to keep myself busy! 

Here are a few extra facts about me: 
- My mother tongue is french.
- I can't live without my morning coffee.
- I love color but wear mainly shades of black.
- I hate to cook, unless it's sushi for 10 or more people.
- I have a Bachelor of Sciences in Psychology from Concordia University.
- Dancing was my life growing up, I dreamt of becoming a choreographer.
- I lived in Paris and the south of Spain for a year.
- I hate the winter and yes I live in Canada!

Now you know everything! and I can't wait for you to get to know me a little more through my designs. Is it March 24th already? See you then!
Celina

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18 comments :

  1. So looking forward to your designs Celina. I'm sure you're going to amaze us with your creativity. no pressure though ;)

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    1. heehee- nope, no pressure at all! Thanks Annika, you are always soooo sweet. :)

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  2. I'm SO excited to see what you have planned for your first look!

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    1. and I am soooo nervous. Hope you love it!

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  3. Looking forward to see your creations!!!

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    1. Thank you! I promise to give it my all. :)

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  4. Wow, now I am SUPER excited to see what you've got up your sleeve! With an amazing background like yours.....I'm feelin' the pressure!

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    1. haha! I can't wait to see what we all do. It's so much fun to see the different styles and interpretations. Don't let my background pressure you- i was way more creative 10 years ago ;)

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  5. I just know you're going to knock us all out with your looks this season Celina! I can't wait to see them!

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    1. Just as you are Ajaire! As we all are. It will be fun to see how we all interpret the themes. I wonder if anything will overlap. Can't wait to see everything, the suspense is killing me.

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  6. OH, this is shaping up to be a great season! I CANNOT wait to see what you come up with Celina! Big fan here!!!

    Natalie
    xX

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    1. Thank you soooo much Natalie! I hope I make you proud. I really do.

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  7. I feel as if I already know you a bit more through this introduction. Looking forward to knowing you better through your designs....

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    1. Oh yay! I forgot to be funny in there somewhere. :) Not that I am the funny type. ha. I hope you will be sewing along, because it's always a pleasure to see what you ladies are up to! Of course that is if you aren't taking a break after last season. :)

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  8. Yaaaaaaaay! What an amazing life you lead, Celina. I can't wait to see what you've sewn up.

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  9. I cannot wait for this season to begin, so excited for your first look.

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  10. It was great to know a little more about you!

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  11. I am excited to see your contributions they are always intriguing and dreamlike fantasy to me.

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