Samantha lives her fashion. Inspired by the legacy of her Couture seamstress grandmother and taught the ropes and threads at Montreal's specialized three-year La Salle Fashion Design Program, the Toronto-born fashion designer creates only what she adores, custom made to share with fashionable women who love bold color, feminine silhouettes and feeling glamorous. Everything from the photo shoot modeling to the final creation is infused with the signature Samantha Stoncius look: fun, fresh and vibrant designs that change the way wearers feel fromthe very first fitting.

Sam's been putting needle to thread since the chance discovery of her mother’s old sewing machine whenshe was a child. Falling in love immediately with the instrument, Samantha abandoned her acting aspirations and took up tearing through Her family’s wardrobe to create unique recovered pieces. Samantha would turn her father’s old t-shirts into halters, scraps of fabric into Barbie accessories and discarded curtains into well-loved pajama pants. Known as the creative one in her group of friends, Sam shone as resident fashionista of the Lithuanian summer camp she attended in her adolescence. So insatiable was Samantha’s creativity that her family and friends soon came to recognize Samantha by the sound of shearing scissors just as much as they did by the sound of her voice.

It was not long before Samantha began professional pursuit of her love of fashion. Sam was accepted to the prestigious La Salle College International Fashion School in Montreal, where for the very first time she found joy and fun in the classroom. Samantha excelled at her studies, earning top marks, entering fashion shows and volunteering her time backstage. Armed with world-renowned training, Samantha learned to draw on these experiences while creating a vision all her own.

There was no simple pattern to follow when forging the Samantha Stoncius line. After a few missed fashion house internships, Stoncius decided to stitch together her own business plan, underpinned by hard work and hands-on learning. In September 2007 while completing her final year at La Salle, the line first took form in a showing at Montreal’s Headquarters Galerie + Boutique. Building on the buzz generated at this first event, Samantha formally debuted her line at the 2007 Segal Gala Benefit in Montreal. Supported by family and friends, this optimistic start to the label was prophetic of the business’ future success. Currently being sold in two stores, the labels designs are being torn off the racks at independent boutiques like Fresh Collective, as well as JTrove in Port Credit Mississauga

Samantha is an active member of Fresh Collective - a community of designers in which she receives mentorship and business building while also learning about her customer while spending many of her Sundays in the Queen West shop. After starting Five Frilly Facts to meet her friend’s nuptials needs, Samantha’s bridesmaid dress business has perfected collaborative design to bring to life the visions of Toronto brides on their special day.

Behind the scenes, Samantha collaborates with Toronto graphic design artist and photographer Erik Norris. A partner both in work and life, Erik designs the web site, shoots the line’s images and provides tech as well as emotional support. Loving what they do and living what they love, the two mix business and pleasure by brainstorming business ideas over the dinner table. On the side, Samantha squeezes in time every week to bar tend at a local pub with a love for her clientele, an activity that offers a welcome respite from studio intensity. Believing in slow growth and steady workmanship, Sam applies this ethic as new designer and business owner to every aspect of the Samantha Stoncius label, never compromising care for quantity or quality for speed. Samantha’s design philosophy centres on feminine, colorful designs that empower women through feeling beautiful and glamorous. Everything with the clothing line is something Samantha loves, ensuring her fashions are just as fun and fresh as she is. Every piece is infused with the signature Samantha look: fun, fresh and vibrant designs that change the way wearers feel from the very first fitting.