Vancouver-based Jennifer Bojm is a creative force who seamlessly weaves together her passions for counselling, music and sewing into a vibrant tapestry of personal expression and connection. As a talented seamstress, Jennifer has captured the hearts of many with her adorable sack dress designs, known for their simplicity, style, and functionality—especially the inclusion of those much-loved pockets! But her creativity doesn’t stop at fabric; it extends into how she envisions her workspaces and her life. With a deep respect for her family’s tailoring heritage, Jennifer approaches her sewing with a sense of nostalgia and a commitment to sustainability. In our chat with her below, Jennifer shares insights into how her diverse pursuits influence each other, her vision for combining a counselling office with a sewing studio, and the inspirations behind her popular sack dresses. Whether she’s sourcing sustainable fabrics from Bangladesh or dreaming up new styles in her cozy studio, Jennifer’s work reflects a thoughtful, intentional approach that’s as refreshing as it is inspiring. —Noa Nichol
You’ve balanced several creative and professional pursuits—counselling, music, and now sewing. How do these different aspects of your life influence one another, and how do they help you maintain your personal balance?
All of my endeavours – counselling, music, and sewing are forms of expression and creation in some way. Each brings it’s own kind of raw materials to the foreground and offers an opportunity to reimagine them anew. Each of these endeavours provides different ways of connecting with people and with myself. I find they compliment each other, and they challenge me to exercise my mind in diverse ways that keep me inspired.
Your plan to combine a counseling office with a sewing studio is so unique! How do you envision these two worlds coming together in one space? What kind of environment are you hoping to create for your clients and customers?
I don’t know exactly how realistic this idea is, but I do love the idea of combining these two spaces. counselling has a lot to do with the reframing or reworking of narratives and patterns – ‘the fabric of life’ if you will. There are poetic commonalities between these two worlds. When I was younger I was a little more reticent about merging my work worlds in any way. However, I do find something fitting about counselling among textiles, needles and threads. As I imagine returning to an office space, I would hope to create an environment that inspires authenticity and creativity.
You mentioned that your grandfather was a tailor and that you treasure the coats he made for you. (He actually made them for my mom but they fit me too) How does your family heritage influence your approach to sewing and fashion design?
My grandfather helped his family to survive the Second World War using his skills as a tailor. While a refugee in Siberia he would trade making overcoats for food for his family. After the war, he, my grandmother and aunt were able to come to Canada through an initiative called ‘The Tailor Project’ which helped garment workers to immigrate from displaced persons camps after surviving the Holocaust. The bravery and resilience in these stories has always, and continues to inspire me. I never had a chance to learn from my grandfather. I am largely a self taught sewer and I’m still learning all the time. My family heritage imbues my approach to sewing with a sense of nostalgia and a real love for the craft.
Your sack dresses are known for being simple, stylish, and functional—especially with the inclusion of pockets, which are essential for a mom! What inspires your designs, and how do you decide on the fabrics and features for each piece?
At the moment I would have to say that utility and comfort are the primary themes behind the pieces I make. I made a lot of little day dresses a couple of summers ago with the precondition that they would be hold onto style while also being easy to bicycle in. The sack dress has the same utility goal. I made the first one really quick on a hot day as I felt I needed something that looked good and was also really easy to throw on and go. With a toddler around, there isn’t a lot of time to try on different outfits before getting going. This dress made it easy for me and the feedback has been really positive, with people requesting the sack dress.
When it comes to fabric, I love to try and find comfortable, natural fabrics and sustainable ones where possible.The first sack dress I made, I used a piece of seersucker I had held onto for a long time because its such a comfortable, breathable and light fabric for warm weather. When I tried to find more for incoming orders, there was none to be found in Vancouver. I was told I wouldn’t find any in stores. Online prices were rather high which would translate to higher prices for clients which I didn’t love. Luckily, I was headed to Moncton New Brunswick to visit my husbands family, and sure enough, they had a treasure trove of seersucker. I went a little overboard stocking up, but was able to pack it all home and get sewing. I’m still loving the first little sack dress I made for myself. I’ve worn it all summer long.
You’ve sourced fabric from a sustainably sourced program in Bangladesh. What role does sustainability play in your design process, and how do you feel it contributes to the future of fashion?
I think it’s incredibly important to think about sustainability in every industry today. I’ve read about the fashion industry being one of the most wasteful and there are a lot of people embracing ‘slow fashion’. This is in part why I love making things – I really struggle with fast fashion clothing these days. I prefer to thrift and to make where possible. When I’m sewing, I can create simple staples and garments that are functional to wear often. I hope the things that I make can inspire more people to embrace slow fashion and also to seek out other makers to support what they do. I should also mention the organization I got the sustainable fabric from, from Bangldesh is called Motif Handmade
With your sewing becoming a larger focus this year, what new styles or projects are you most excited to explore in your little studio? Do you have any dream collaborations or goals for your brand in the future?
I’m already starting to scheme some long sleeved dress styles which I’m looking froward to making. I’m also planning to makes some shorts, pants and top combinations. Again, the inspiration or theme being comfort and utility. I’ve also been chatting with a friend of mine about starting to make some beautiful summer Kaftans.
At the moment, my goal is to keep making small runs of select styles, get them onto some great people and also, who knows…maybe into some great shops as well.
You also have a strong background in music and are currently producing a festival celebrating Malian African culture. How does your experience as a musician and producer shape your creative process in sewing and fashion?
Music is a constant in my life. While I’m sewing, I’m almost always listening to music or writing music in my head. Sewing helps me to clear my mind because of it’s tactile focused nature. So really I would say that sewing helps to shape my experience as a musician. It grounds me, slows me down a little so that I can organize my planning /production more effectively.
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