Catherine Stephenson - The Hidden Profession

Our guest in this episode is Catherine Stephenson who lives in Ajijic, Mexico. The owner and name behind Catherine Stephenson Couture, she’s been in the sewing world doing what she loves for more than 35 years.

Originally from Portland OR, she travelled to Madison WI to earn her BA in textiles and clothing from the University of Wisconsin. Returning to Portland after that, she opened her business and worked to create the Custom Clothing Guild that eventually became the Professional Association of Custom Clothiers (PACC). All of this led to…well, let’s let her tell you her story!

(3:06) Catherine tells us how she began to sew and who inspired her as a youth, then in Madison, WI as a high school sophomore. Then, when she went to the University, there was a sewing program that enticed her to attend there. AND – a textile chemistry lab. Then, she talks about the ready to wear industry and why it wasn’t for her.

(9:26) What initially took her to Madison from Portland. Well, there was a connection there from the beginning.

(10:26) She was taught in a system that funneled people into the ready to wear industry. Why? Catherine explains!

(12:36) Catherine talks about fast fashion and where it’s going…what our culture supports. (14:42) Catherine talks about what it took to found the Custom Clothing Guild of Oregon in January of 1992…to her…is was easy peazy!

(20:02) Catherine explains the quality standards and how they are implemented industry wide by the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals (ASDP) (31:01) She talks about Linda Stewart and how together they developed the Master Sewing & Design Certification Program.

(24:10) Catherine talks about her own career and the long-term relationships she has with her clients. It’s the specialness of each unique piece. It’s all a symbiotic process and price range/timing is a part of it! And, why she’ll only do special events now.

(30:40) Why did she close her business? Well, global warming had a little to do with it…as well as a special culture in the Ex-Pat community of Ajijic. They are a part of building Mexico’s first co-housing community. What is this? She explains!

(34:00) Both Catherine and her husband are artists. She talks in depth about their work and his world renown Spotify channel!

(37:31) Ajijic Chic is her line of “Easy Fit Clothing for Lakeside Living”. Catherine talks about how she envisioned this, made it happen and how she brings her creations to her customers.

(43:17) Fast Fashion? Oh yes, she does have an opinion about it. She takes us through her thinking. And what this has done to the value of sewing.

(48:10) What didn’t I ask? Catherine talks about her association’s relationship with the Department of Labor to develop and run a 2-year apprenticeship program to teach people to sew and eventually get into the job market. There is also a non-profit that people go through to contribute to this program.

You can reach Catherine on her website which is www.cscouture.com, or email her directly at Catherine@cscouture.com Her husband Allen’s library on Mixcloud can be found at https://auralfixations.allanstephenson.com

If you know someone who has an outstanding story that should be shared on this podcast, drop Meg a note to Meg@sewandsopodcast.com or complete the form on our website.

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