Meet Linda

I would like you to meet Linda the woman behind the Linda tunic. You probably already know she’s my sister. But did you know she’s 12 years older than me? She practically raised me and that’s not to take anything away from our dear mom. Growing up, I always looked up to my older and wiser sister. And I still do.

I’m thrilled that she has moved to Ottawa and we’ll be looking for a new home together. It’s so much easier to be a family of two. Of course, the big thing is financially but also things like taking care of a pet. Oliver is no longer all alone while I’m at work. We share household chores like cooking and cleaning. And, it’s always nice to have someone else in the house to greet you when you walk through the door and to share meals with.

Some history

Linda has lived her entire life in Thunder Bay other than attending university for 4 years in Manitoba. Not only that, but she’s lived on the same street for most of her life and practically in the same house. She designed and built her own home right next door to our family home. Mom and Linda were neighbours.

Linda waving goodbye to the old neighbourhood in Thunder Bay

She worked for our dad at his sign painting business, Kent Sign Company. That has been her only full time job. When he passed away, 40 years ago now, she took over the business and has run it ever since. That is, up until recently. A long time employee became her business partner and gradually bought her out. However, she still has her hand in the day-to-day helping with the bookkeeping and payroll.

Why I named the tunic after her

My sister has a very calming presence which is a good influence on me. She’s not a woman of many words, similar to my dad, but she is kind, thoughtful, extremely helpful, has a quiet inner strength, and gets stuff done. She’s a go-with-the-flow kind of person, very low maintenance, yet can be stubborn and strong-willed.

The one thing she doesn’t like is change. So picking up and moving to Ottawa and leaving behind the only city, home, and work environment she has ever known is a massive undertaking for her. Hence, I’m adding in the word “courageous” to the long list of traits I admire about her.

It seems only fitting to name my new bamboo tunic after her. She’s my #1 COKANNA fan and has every single item of clothing I’ve ever produced. In fact, I’ve just told her it’s okay to retire some of the early prototypes, lol.

Linda in the Linda tunic in midnight black

Our visit to Kingston

This past weekend we headed to Kingston to visit my daughter. My daughter and my sister are very close which warms my heart. Maddi lovingly refers to her as Auntie Lin Lin Elephonte. Don’t ask me where that came from but it has stuck.

My very first design which I just brought back to life, is the Maddison bamboo zip-up named after my daughter. And my final design is the Linda bamboo tunic named after my sister. I love this. Here they are showing off their namesake tops.

Maddi in the midnight black Maddison zip-up and Linda in the midnight black Linda tunic

Shop the Maddison and Linda

To order the Maddison or the Linda, click on the links below. I’ve kept the price as low as possible at $99 for high quality, locally and ethically Made in Ontario garments. Even the bamboo fabric is knit locally in Toronto.

Shop the Maddison

Shop the Linda

Until next time,

~ Colleen

I’m a recovering Chartered Accountant and Breast Cancer Champion turned Fashion Designer. My COKANNA Canadian-made bamboo clothing is all about comfort and style. Giving back to the community is important to me so I support local breast cancer organizations who treat the whole person and not just the disease.