Catsue McBroom

local design artist influenced by heritage and nature
by Zohreh Zandvakili

As Catsue enters my home for the interview I ask her if I
can take her coat. She hands me a soft, velvet creation,
light and warm. The silk lined coat gets my full attention
and admiration. It is one of Catsue’s designs.Commenting
humbly Catsue says, “Perfection consumes a lot of time, but it is worth it.”While showing me beautiful pictures
from her velvet coat collection inspired by vintage design, she mentions her luck in finding people in Canada who sew well, and continues, “They know exactly what my expectations are.”

I ask Catsue how she got into fashion. “Art has always
been part of my family. My mother who was an artist (in
visual art) taught me patience, perfection, and how to
sew.”

Inspired by her mother, Catsue began designing “special
occasion” dresses when she was just a teenager. At
Seneca College she obtained her fashion degree. Leather
outfits were added to her portfolio and orders for wedding
dresses started to come in. Not only does she design costumes for local theatres and dance studios, but also for
giants such as Coca-Cola, for whom she designed and
produced two polar bear outfits in the1980s.

“When I was a child we used to have a cottage in
Southampton, from where Chantry Island and its light
station can be seen. My beach-inspired casual clothing
and home furnishings found their roots there.” She fondly
remembers a cabana shirt her dad used to wear: by modernizing that 50s style she now has her own design of that shirt. Her robes and beach wear are made of 100% cotton and are terry cloth lined, designed to cope with the chill one feels after swimming in Ontario lakes. She shows me some photos of the robes which are colourful and joyful - a perfect match for a playful visit to the beach. Looking at the kid-wear samples she has brought makes me wish I could go shopping for children’s clothing all over again.

Catsue’s love of history comes out not only in her vintage
clothing, but also in her volunteer service with the King Township Historical Society (KTHS) for the last 12 years. In her role as Community Outreach and Special Events Coordinator, she researches material and then uses her artistic talent to put together displays which are attractive as well as informative. Virginia Atkins, Past President KTHS and Founding Chair of Archives, says of Catsue, “She is absolutely indispensible to the King Township Historical Society.”

Living in King City, Catsue is self-employed and runs two clothing labels: Catsue McBroom and Chantry Island
Design. Besides her busy life as a designer, marketer, and
historical researcher, married to an art director, and with
four children, she also paints custom signs for homes,
cottages and for businesses. Next time you are passing by
King City Nursery School pay special attention to the
sign created by this talented and active member of our
community.

Catsue can be reached at
catsue@chantryislanddesign.com or at
www.chantryislanddesign.com