Shoot us an email at contactblackbirdstudios@gmail.com or give us a call at 905-529-3923.
NOTE: This is not a custom dress service, you can only order from our style lines.
]]>Pick up at our Limeridge location or have it shipped.
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Runway to Waterway Gala
Saturday September 28th - Dinner and Show
Blackbird Studios will be showing a capsule collection along with participating designers and boutiques - Kari's of Ancaster, Joelle's, Jeff's Guy Shop, Kristen's Fashion, ISarti Menswear, Amarettos and hair by Euphoria.
For Tickets - email: info@knotabreast.com
Handbags for Hospice Dinner and Fashion Show
FASHION SHOW with VOGUE MODELS
Thursday, October 19th, 2023
Hamilton Convention Centre
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Click photo to read more......
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For the past 15 years, Blackbird Studios thrived on James Street North. We started out in the Sonic Unyon Building, making uniforms for Roller Girls worldwide (Japan, Australia, USA and Canada).
For the first couple of years, we spent our time designing, sampling, figuring out the brand. We focused on textile prints of the curious and quirky and starting screen printing our fabrics.
Blackbird Studios first event was the "The Hanky Panky Panty Party" Fashion Show. It was to help fund our first collection. We designed underwear and t's with hand-printed fabrics. We were both in bands, so we were on the bill too! Lorrainas and the Poisoned Aeros. Ridiculous! What were we thinking??
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We were always one for Rock and Roll Shows. The Orphans (a seriously great garage rock band) played on many of the Blackbird stages, backing the runway with live music. Guest musicians were often featured and the shows were always sold out! We even collaborated with Tish and Snooky, founders of Manic Panic and brought their band to Hamilton from NYC. Bonkers!!
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Before long, we opened our first shop on James, 161 James Street North. We worked in the back of the store and sold our clothing up front. But as production increased we decided to move our production to the Cotton Factory and the shop moved to 123 James Street North. This expansion was largely due to winning the First Ontario Awards 1. The winnings fueled this initiative and we opened up a small run factory.
Thanks to our customers, we had a great go on James Street. We released 6 collections a year, collaborated with local photographers, models and make up artists. We staged the Supercrawl Fashion Zone, sat on the Board for Glamour in the Hammer, presented at the AGH Annual Gala(s) and continued to participate in fundraising and private events.
Then Covid struck! Like so many small businesses, we shifted into survival mode! We were fortunate enough to have just launched our website before we had to shut down. To our delight, the online orders started to pour in. We had a chance.
It was also at this time that Cadillac Fairview contacted us to discuss the possibility of a pop up at Limeridge Mall. We really needed to explore this as James Street was suffering from homelessness and store closures. We had a chance.
We've managed to extend our stay at the mall and now have a permanent location. So glad we can stay. It's been so fun, challanging and nice to be so accessible to our customers.
After 15 years, there is an abundance of stories and friendships that have blossomed over the years. Thank you!! Thank you for the posts, the shares, the wears, the snaps, the encouragement. You have helped us shine!!
To many more years!
LUV
How are you managing in this crazy winter weather? For me, once we hit February, my outlook starts to shift to warmer climates and the birth of spring. I'm always in for a let down though, as I know we still have a ways to go - BUT, I am excited about the beginnings of a new season!
Kerry and I have had our nose to the grind! We've managed to bring in a collection of finished goods, to give us a chance to prepare for Prom, Grad and Wedding Season. If only you could hear the sighs, the oohs and awes, as we roll out the most decadent fabrics!! The gowns are indeed on their way - and we are beyond happy with the collecton. The teaser? Our Athena Gown in Sheer Black Floral Sequin and Peau du Soie satin. Drop dead gorgeous!
We are also in love with the Eden Gown. This designer is based in France. A floral print black chiffon with a crossover front, smocked Juliet sleeves, gathered cuffs, waist tie belt, back zipper closure, floor length skirt and is fully lined with a padded bust for those who choose to wear braless. Divine!
Click the following link for more Blackbird Black Tie
On another note - we had no idea how much you loved Dolly Parton! Seriously, we have had to restock this T-shirt three times already....and it looks like we need another haul! If you missed it, no worries - we will bring them back!!
Lastly, I would like to conclude by saying THANK YOU!!!!
Blackbird Studios has grown in leaps and bounds because of you! Thank you for your shares, likes, purchases. It means the world to us and we cannot thank you enough!
LUV
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But October also stimulates my desire to dress in black, add hardware, boots and a touch of leather. It is of course the “Season of the Witch” and after all, I'm a Good Witch!
With our FW22 - Rumors Collection hitting the shop, the clothing touched a nerve! The Black Cable Twist Carly Hoodie can fulfill both my desire to stay cozy and dress for the season. Add a pair of black faux leggings and a striped turtleneck - a voila! The perfect October outfit.
You may decide that the Black Cable Twist Jordan is more your style. Either one, they are essential for this season!
I'm particularily fond of Velvet too. So lux, soft....decandant! We designed the Rachelle,Talia and Nicola Dress in Black Velvet. Our Ricky Dress in both Red and Plaid Velvet. Our Robynne Dress in Sapphire Blue and Black with Gold Stars - yes, Velvet. I would encourage you to give it a try on.....I don't think you will question your decision.
I'm going to get a pumpkin, pull out my Fluevogs, remove cat hairs (except one) from my Black Baroness Coat and prepare for Hallows' Eve!
Happy Halloween!!!
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With the overwhelming state of the world looming over us, we decided to focus on the positive, create as happy a work space as possible and pull in the people we love and admire a little closer.
In short, we did a major “Life Edit” and boy, did it work.
Opportunities came in droves...some we jumped on and are leaning into, some we have put on the backburner to stew into fruition. As everything started opening back up, we realized nothing would ever be completely the same, and that's not a bad thing. How do we want to change to make this new world fit us?
We pivot our retail, and shake things up...yay! Limeridge Mall! A MAJOR change for an Indie Boutique. And it's been a wonderful change so far.
Our customers new and familiar love the big beautiful space, the product expansion (such a larger variety of things to choose from!) our lovely, skilled and considerate staff who have been so wonderfully helpful, and the Free Parking...hee!
It's really given us a chance to grow. And grow we did.
We are now utilizing our James St N location as a full on Atelier. We design, draft patterns, make samples, brainstorm, decision make, spitball ideas...it's become our own personal, creative cocoon.
We can now contract out larger product runs, utilize our community stitchers for smaller runs, and work on our own One-Of-A-Kind/ Over-The-Top prototypes that may or may not make it to larger scale runs. We have created a small team of behind the scenes Superstars, making mini fashion video editorials and photo editorials. It's all coming together...finally!!!
Will James St N go back to being a full on shop? Time will tell. For now we are managing what we can, while still maintaining a work/home life balance.
As Summer fades, Fall always feels like the beginning of a New Year. We are back in our groove and so excited about our Fall/Winter/Holiday collection - ”Mary Shelley”
Thank you, as always, for the love, the reviews and the support. Happy Fall Solstice!
LUV
Lynn & Kerry xx
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