Sewing Slow Fashion
Keli – Haliburton Clothing Co
In the Haliburton Highlands, a small but mighty studio is reshaping the future of fashion, one thoughtfully made garment at a time. Haliburton Clothing Co. is the brainchild of Keli Schmidt, a seasoned professional with over 18 years of experience in apparel development. But more than that, it’s a heartfelt expression of slow fashion, rural living, and community connection.
From Big City Industry to Cottage Country Craft
Before planting roots in Haliburton, Keli spent nearly two decades building a career behind the scenes in Ontario’s fashion industry. After earning her diploma in Fashion Techniques and Design at George Brown College in Toronto, she worked closely with local designers as a patternmaker and sample creator. Her skillset is extensive—she’s worked every stage of garment production, from drafting to pressing.
“I’m a professional apparel developer—this is my career, not my hobby,” Keli says. “I’ve spent years making clothes for others, and now the time has come to make my own designs for you.”
What began as a childhood obsession—sewing Barbie clothes at age three and ditching store-bought patterns by eleven—has now grown into a full-time slow fashion brand with a loyal and growing customer base.
putting the pieces together
A One-Woman Studio with an Industrial Edge
Everything at Haliburton Clothing Co. is created by Keli herself, designing, cutting, sewing, screen printing, and shipping. Her studio is split into a tidy retail space and a fully outfitted workshop, complete with five industrial sewing machines, a twelve-foot cutting table, and a commercial-grade pressing setup.
“Everything is arranged for efficiency so I can move easily between machines,” she says. “It’s just me here, so the workflow has to work.”
That hands-on control means quality is never compromised. From the first sketch (or often, just a pattern straight from her mind) to the final stitch, each piece is made with purpose, durability, and comfort in mind.
Clothing Designed for Real Life
Keli’s clothing is designed and built for living—not for dry cleaning or standing still. Her motto is simple: If you can’t do jumping jacks in it, she won’t sell it. “You’ll never find a garment here that requires Spanx, handwashing, or limits how you move,” Keli says. “I make stylish, durable clothes that feel good and fit real bodies.”
The collection includes women’s wear like hoodies, tanks, tees, shorts, pants, underwear, and dresses—pieces that can go from a wedding to a hike with ease. She also offers select men’s items like summer shirts and cozy hoodies.
All fabrics are chosen for their feel and long-lasting performance, with a strong preference for natural fibers. Every piece is pre-washed to avoid shrinkage, and alterations or custom sizing are always available. “I love making clothes that people actually wear, and love to wear,” Keli adds. “I offer free alterations or bespoke adjustments because every body is different.”
Keli’s Fashion
Building Community Through Craft
Although Keli and her family originally moved to Haliburton in search of peace and quiet, it didn’t take long for the community to capture their hearts. “We moved here for calm, but we stayed for the incredible sense of community,” she says. “I’ve never felt so connected to a place.”
That connection runs both ways. Haliburton locals have become her biggest champions—bringing visiting family to her studio and proudly sharing her story. Participating in the Haliburton Farmers’ Market and the Art and Craft Festival has helped grow her brand and deepen her roots. “I’m proud that locals are proud of me,” Keli says with a smile. “That’s one of the best feelings.”
She’s also become a small but meaningful contributor to local environmental initiatives. Through informal sponsorships, Haliburton Clothing Co. has supported events hosted by Turtle Guardians, including snapping turtle handling workshops held in her studio—a perfect match for her turtle-themed logo.
Innovation with Comfort at Its Core
Though she keeps production small, Keli’s ideas are big. Her best-selling innovation? A revolutionary women’s underwear design. “It’s a one-piece construction with no uncomfortable seams, designed for real body shapes,” she explains. “It’s simple, practical, and comes with a comfort guarantee.”
It’s the kind of solution that’s only possible when the designer deeply understands both the garment and the person who’ll wear it. That knowledge comes from years of experience and a passion that’s never faded—not even after thousands of hours at the sewing machine. “Even after all these years, I still think the serger is fuuuuun!” she laughs.
Sewing some clothing
Looking Ahead: A Life in Slow Fashion
For Keli, Haliburton Clothing Co. isn’t a stepping stone or a side hustle—it’s the life she wants to build, now and into retirement. “My goal is to grow a loyal customer base and use my business as a platform to promote slow fashion and thoughtful consumption,” she says.
To her, slow fashion means intention at every step—from thoughtful fabric sourcing and durability testing to helping customers make informed, lasting choices. “I want people to fall in love with their clothes,” she says. “To wear them for years. To have a story behind them.”
And in a place like Haliburton Highlands, where stories matter and neighbours still take pride in one another’s work, that mission is already unfolding beautifully—one garment at a time.
clothing almost ready
printing by hand
Keli at her studio
Screen Printing
putting the pieces together
Keli’s Fashion
Sewing some clothing
Keli of Haliburton Clothing Co
To find more succuss stories in the Haliburton Highlands click here.