Our Team
Sarah Sue MacLachlan (she/her) has had fashion running through her blood since the day she was born. Born a prairie country girl growing up in rural Manitoba, Canada, (on Treaty 1 Territory close to the Brokenhead Ojibway Nation) but always with big dreams of fashion.
From threading her first needle at the tender age of 5 to diving into industry training at 15, Sarah's journey led her to the large-scale fashion industry at Nygård International’s head office in Winnipeg by the age of 18. However, the allure of distant horizons beckoned, prompting her move from Winnipeg to the vibrant cityscape of Vancouver.
In Vancouver, Sarah pursued her dreams, earning a degree in Fashion Design and Technology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (name from the Kwantlen First Nation, on unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Kwantlen, Musqueam, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen, Qayqayt and Kwikwetlem peoples.)
She then spent the next 10 years working in the Vancouver fashion Industry helping create and grow a small business into selling across Canada and the USA. Yet, after a decade on the West Coast, the call of her roots in Winnipeg and her family, drew her back home.
Returning to Winnipeg marked a turning point for Sarah. A year-long sabbatical unfolded, a period filled touring the world with her backpack, volunteering, working in community, teaching at MC College in the Fashion Department, and cherished moments with family. This transformative journey became the catalyst for Sarah's newest chapter.
Nine years ago, Sarah embarked on the entrepreneurial endeavor of a lifetime, creating SARAH SUE DESIGN. Through dedication and hard work, she nurtured the company, watching it blossom into its current form. Recently, after a period of growth, Sarah made a thoughtful decision to take a step back and downsize, embracing change as a source of renewal.
In the ever-evolving world of fashion, SARAH SUE DESIGN stands as a testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring connection between roots and creative dreams.
Kathleen
Meet Kathleen, aka Kathy or "The Mama". That's right this is Sarah’s Mama! Kathy works tirelessly away by Sarah’s side as her right, and left, hand lady. Her favourite part of the business is getting to see our creations come to life after our many long months of development so that she can see how excited customers are to see everything. Mama is a people person and just loves to help our customers find their perfect piece. She also has her hand in the whole process with helping with sewing and patternmaking in our studio. Not only does she physically help Sarah with all parts of the business, but she is her biggest support system and always tries to keep her smiling (if you check out our Instagram Stories you will often find her laughing away with Sarah in the Studio…sometimes even dancing away).
Fun Fact about Kathleen: She is not only the Mama to Sarah but also to her 4 sons (plus 1 bonus son) and all their significant others. Plus, she is pretty darn proud to be a Nana to her first granddaughter! Her passions outside of work include spending time with her husband, Tom, and spending time in her insanely gorgeous garden (it is a work of art).
Her Favourite Piece of Ours: She just loves our Lizzy Tunic Tops!
Jen
Jen has been with us from the beginning, sewing away! She is a fabulous seamstress with many, many years of experience. Jen has another full-time job but loves sewing for us in her free time. She says her favorite way to sew is with a great movie or her favourite show playing while she sews away at home. She also loves coming into our Studio to sew with us on some Saturdays. She even says that sewing is sometimes like her form of relaxation or meditation. She also loves are our pieces, so she models them, not only in front of the camera (you will see her in a bunch of our photoshoots) but also wearing our pieces daily. You will see Jen also pop up in our social media sometimes and even at a few of our in person shows.
Fun Fact about Jen: She loves her plants and has a sweet tooth for Wine Gums
Her Favourite Piece of Ours: She loves our bamboo Kelly Boxy Cardigan!
Brenda
Brenda has been a huge influence on Sarah for years now, she was actually her teacher in high school at Murdoch McKay Collegiate in the Fashion Design and Technology Program. Sarah attended and graduated from this program with lots of guidance from her. Brenda was not only a teacher but a fashion community leader where she also started the Skills Canada Manitoba chapter for Fashion Design and Technology and helped guide Sarah to pursue that. Years later Brenda started the fashion program at MC College in Winnipeg and later hired Sarah to teach there as well.
When Sarah left teaching to concentrate on SARAH SUE DESIGN full time, and Brenda retired from teaching, they still stayed connected and Brenda has been a part of the SARAH SUE DESIGN team over the years! Brenda lends her expertise to the Team with her Patternmaking and Sewing skills. Brenda is also always working away on her own fun sewing projects either for herself or for gifts for others and even for charity.
Fun Fact about Brenda: Guilty pleasure is watching fashion reality shows like Project Runways…. she really wants to meet Tim Gunn one day!
Her Favourite Piece of Ours: She loves our Bamboo Lily Leggings!