For Julie Hewings, her undeniable passion has always been in creating unique works of art that can be worn, while infusing each creation with care, respect, love, and good intentions.
Hewings, a Brantford native, explained her upbringing surrounded by a creative family.
“I come from a long line of creative women and men. My grandmother was a sewer. I remember for every special occasion, we had a handmade dress. My great-grandfather had a tailor shop in Brantford. And at the age of four, my mom taught me how to sew…So, I have always been interested in fashion. I could and would always create something from something else, I believe, is my greatest skill. When I was a teenager, my mom would buy me my back-to-school clothes, and I would take them apart and make other clothes out of them, just because I saw the possibilities to create something else,” she said. “My mom encouraged my creativity. She’d get me set up at the sewing machine [and] we’d go shopping for fabrics, and go thrifting. We would just be brainstorming constantly. I remember getting this bucket of vintage buttons at the store and then sewing them onto the entire surface of a jacket that I had. My mom would always make sure I had supplies, and she would get me set up for a creative endeavour I had in mind. I think because she’s very creative herself, she was thrilled having someone equally passionate about expressing their creativity, which, of course, I loved to do.”
Hewings continued to delve deeper into her passion during and after high school, eventually getting the idea to start her own company, Jewels BeLoved.
“After high school, I did quite a bit of traveling across Canada…while still making or transforming things. I would make dresses for my friends. I’ve made a few wedding dresses for people, and they knew I could make something unique and special. But as my business sort of took off around five years ago…organically, as people were noticing the clothing I made, which I wore too. Strangers would come up to me and want to buy what I made, which was flattering,” the entrepreneur stated.
However, Hewings has truly enjoyed finding rare and unique textiles, fabrics, and various articles, and in some cases, repurposing them.
“I really love textiles, and there aren’t a lot of places to purchase textiles from these days. So, I had to be creative in what I was going to use [because] I really wanted to use beautiful, high-quality textiles. So that’s sort of how the sustainability aspect lies in what I do…where I would be out thrifting…and one time, finding this beautiful Irish Linen tablecloth that had embroidery all over it, which I made a dress out of. I love the feel of that dress, and the amazing feedback I have gotten from people was special,” the designer noted. “I also try to find fabrics that don’t exist in typical fabric stores…. they’re like beautiful treasures that I’m able to find and then transform them. Basically, I’m using someone’s old tablecloth that [and], in some cases, they haven’t even been used. Sometimes I’m lucky enough to find them still wrapped, like they’ve been given to someone as a gift, maybe for their wedding present, back in the 1930s. Then I’m able to transform it into a beautiful garment. The fast fashion in our world is damaging on so many levels. So, I’m able to do something good for the earth and for people, but also to deliver a product that is full of good intentions.”
Hewings also maintained the importance of music, as well as an important memory related to her grandmother from her childhood.
“Music has been important to me for my entire life. I grew up in a family [where on] Sunday mornings we had the music cranked up while breakfast was being made. I’ve always been a music person [and] have been going to concerts since I was young. It was always a great experience seeing the people there, not only the musicians on stage, but the fans who were going to enjoy the music. Those people have continually inspired me. When I see someone dancing, I notice how the textile moves on their body. I am very drawn to that. And I just feel that music is an emotional thing for a lot of people, but I also feel that clothing is an embodiment of magic and, helps you feel your best,” Hewings said. “And then also, a huge inspiration for me was when I was little, my grandmother would hang her table linens on the clothesline outside. She had a huge clothesline, and I would just let the wind blow these lines against my body. I just knew I wanted to wear something like that. So, all of my clothing is feminine, and I feel like it embodies what I do and create.”
However, Hewings would get a boost when she collaborated with a popular singer from the United States.
“My first introduction to The Band Loula was through Tamara Maddalen, a musician and a childhood friend of mine. I made her dress that she wore for the Country Music Association Awards (CMAA), which was very well received. It was very exciting to see her in some photos wearing that dress at the event,” recalled Hewings. “We are constantly looking for new music, and Tamara sent me something about The Band Loula. I immediately followed them because I loved their sound, and one of the singers, Logan Simmons, really stuck out to me. I was encouraged to send her a message, introducing myself, which is a bit tough as I am really shy. Eventually, I did, and to my surprise, Logan messaged me back, and we started to collaborate on some ideas.”
The Band Loula would eventually come to Toronto, inviting Hewings and bringing her friend Corrie Gallant, another small business owner in the community.
“We went to the show, and I brought along a basket with a couple of garments that I had made for Logan. At some point, the band’s manager came and found us in the crowd. They invited us backstage, which we weren’t expecting at all, and we met them and hung out with them…quickly establishing a connection. I had made her two things, and she loves them. And ever since, people have been asking her where she got those clothes from,” she recalled. “She’s been really helpful in promoting my business during their tour, mentioning me during shows, and wearing my clothes on stage. Recently, they performed at the Grand Ole Opry, which was very personal to me as I loved listening to all those bands at the Opry when I was a child. I was so honored that she had chosen one of my pieces to wear.”
However, the reaction from the people has been overwhelmingly positive.
“People whom I’ve met just through my business, they just keep me going. They really fill my tank with all their words of encouragement. I get a lot of support. When I first started doing this, my support was mainly out of town. But when I did the Homedale Art Crawl in town, I realized people in the community already knew about me, and they told me they were coming out because I was there. It lifted me to have these people come see me and support me…appreciating what I did,” Hewings said. “They understood that I did everything. I’m the person who hunts for the fabric. I do all the business stuff, and all the sewing, all by myself. It’s just me and my sewing machine. It’s sometimes really tough, wearing a lot of hats, so it’s very exciting when people love what I create, but also, all the work that goes into running a business.”
After close to five years since starting Jewels BeLoved, Hewings has some goals in mind going forward.
“My vision for my garments is to keep on creating…these aren’t just your normal run-of-the-mill creations. Every single piece is one of a kind and is put together with a lot of care and respect for the textile. They are very special, and I feel like they deserve to be worn as such. I mainly created these garments for women, but at some point, I would love to make some things for men eventually,” she noted. “I would love to have my garments [professionally] photographed, and use my website to sell my creations. Right now, I’m mainly doing markets and connecting with people over social media. Also, I’d love to travel a bit and do some fashion shows, and get my garments out there in the world.”
Nevertheless, Hewings has learned a great deal from being a small business owner, continuing to relish in her lifelong passion.
“I think the biggest value that a small business owner brings to the table is how many mistakes they’ve made. And because I’ve been doing this for so long, I have realized that this self-education that has come with making every single mistake has a lot of value. As a small business owner, you make all these mistakes, but there’s something in you that has such a creative passion that you keep going,” Hewings explained. “Now, as an artist, you are always putting your heart on the line…Everything I create is made with love and passion. And most of us can’t help but be creative, because these ideas that come to us sometimes stop us from sleeping at night, but they are the things that excite us. I have also discovered that it’s important to know who your cheerleaders are, making sure you surround yourself with positivity, and that’s crucial for both the business and creative aspects of what I do. And just coming off a huge market that I did recently, there is this sense of community with people who create [and that] is so magical to me, it’s a really beautiful thing. I feel so grateful that I get to partake in that.”
