The love of fabrics and wonder of designs began early in Helen's life.
Her earliest recollection was sitting at her mother's treadmill sewing machine at age five cutting out dresses for a cardboard doll.

Sewing was not taught in her High School, but it did not stop Helen from copying her graduation gown from a magazine.

Awards in art and costume competitions directed Helen into studying Fashion Design at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. Now Helen thought she died and went to heaven. Pattern drafting, sewing, design and history of costume became a passion she nurtured for the rest of her life.

A career in teaching sewing and design did not lessen her need to be creative. After school hours were spent in making costumes for various theatre groups and skating carnivals.

Her costume shop began quite by chance. Her school needed a Santa costume for a Christmas party. Nothing good enough could be found, so Helen made one. It was borrowed instantly.

The following year two more Santa suits were made. However, renting costumes did not enter the picture until her oldest son encouraged her to make Halloween outfits.

Presently, Helen's costume shop is 3000 square feet on the main street in Peterborough, and is full of thousands of gorgeous costumes and accessories.

During the busy Halloween season, addition satellite stores are open in other cities. Christmas business has expanded to supplying a number of malls with her deluxe Santa Suits. Helen claims she makes the best Santa Suit in Canada.

This lady's need for creating will continue as long as Helen is here. Presently custom made costumes are a priority.

"Bring me a picture and I will make it" claims Helen.