A unique clothing designer business in Oro-Medonte is finally up and running after surviving almost two years of challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Syl-Tori Designs is located at 81 Line 7 N. near Highway 11. They specialize in Renaissance clothing with a modern esthetic.
“Our biggest thing is making corsets, chemises, tiki bottoms, and cloaks,” explained co-owner and retired science teacher, Sylvia Weir.
Weir started the business with her goddaughter, Tori Burrell, in February 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have faced numerous setbacks.
“We've had to pivot like so many businesses; we just hunkered down and sewed as much as we could. Most of the clothes you see on our website are ours as a result of that,” Weir said.
The inspiration for the business and the unique clothing style comes from Burrell’s background of working at Renaissance Fairs when she was a teenager.
“Tori had a mentor who taught her how to make corsets, and when her mentor retired, she passed the business onto Tori. Once she got her double major degree in costume studies and history from Dalhousie University, we decided to start this design company,” Weir explained.
Weir says Oro-Medonte is the perfect spot for the business to get started.
“Tori is an Orillia girl who grew up in Barrie, and now lives in Orillia with her mom. I’m from Cape Breton originally and have been in Ontario since 1986. So, this is a good spot for us,” she said.
Syl-Tori Designs began selling their products for the first time in December and are making progress toward become profitable.
“We are funding this ourselves. Like a lot of small businesses just starting out, we weren’t eligible for money from the government when COVID hit because we just literally started and had to be in business for two years. We couldn’t access any money (because) we didn’t qualify,” Weir explained.
Weir is hopeful the pandemic will begin to fade away in the summertime, then, Syl-Tori designs can start attending Renaissance Fairs and markets in Ontario.
“So far the feedback we’ve gotten is very positive. People who try on our products really like them, and we hope that will translate into sales when we get our products out there,” she said.
“We are going to stand behind our clothing, they are pieces that you will buy and will wear for as long as you want to.”
