Carman’s Lois Van Koughnet is reviving her Lois Laine clothing business now that she is back and settled in the area after being away for several years.
Van Koughnet is originally from the Carman area. She moved away in 1974 at 17 to attend university in Toronto, where she continued to live and work after graduation. She moved back to the Carman area two years ago to be closer to her parents.
“I wanted to be here with my parents,” said Van Koughnet. “My mother just passed away, but I had two years where I could be close with her, and my dad is still around, so I get to see him lots.”
Van Koughnet started her career studying Interior Design and, shortly after, Costume Studies. She has extensive knowledge in clothing design and costume making, working on two fashion labels, and many years of costuming in film and theatre.
Her passion is to create beautiful clothing from gorgeous fabric that is inventive, easy to wear, and beautifully crafted. Van Koughnet is recognized for her signature style and quality. She is honoured to do creative work that people enjoy.
“I’m going to keep it as an online business for the time being now that I’m setting up again,” said Van Koughnet. “The workshop I have in town is really a working studio and not a public viewing area. It’s too small, really.”
Lois Laine is mostly contemporary adult women’s clothing. It is all-day wear that focuses on natural and ecologically sensitive materials. Garments are made of quality, sustainable, and natural fabrics, including organic cotton, silk, wool, bamboo, hemp, recycled polyester, and production bolt ends.
“All of my choices are mostly natural because I feel like our bodies like it better, and it feels better. I like to try and do a unique thing with each piece.”
Folks can check out Van Koughnet’s clothing website to learn more about it at https://www.loislaine.com/about
