ABOUT | Zed & Ess

Hey, I’m Holly — the owner of Zed & Ess.

My sewing journey started when I was very young, learning beside my mom, a wonderful quilter who sparked my lifelong love of creating with fabric. I grew up in the Ottawa area and moved to Toronto in 2009 to study Fashion Arts at Humber College. A year later, I married my high school sweetheart, and before long we settled in Sarnia, his hometown.

I joined the team at Z & S Tailors in 2011, where I spent many years developing my skills in alterations and repairs. Over that time, our family grew — we welcomed four children, and our youngest was born just two weeks after Meaghan and I opened the shop as co-owners in September of 2021. Many of you may remember seeing him in the shop with me every day during that first year and a half.

In October 2024, I stepped into a new chapter as the sole owner of Zed & Ess. It was a big transition — going from a partnership and part-time help to running every part of the business myself, all while navigating life at home with my wonderfully neurodivergent kids (and my own neurodivergence). One of my little ones was (and still is) experiencing a difficult period with reactive behaviour at school, and balancing everything became a daily act of patience and determination.

Because of that, my shop hours are designed with work–life balance in mind. Serving the community with care, consistency, and craftsmanship is deeply important to me — but so is being the best parent I can be. Sometimes that means I need to close a bit early or occasionally fall behind on a timeline. I truly appreciate the understanding and kindness I receive from the community.

There is also a more personal part of my life that feels important to share, because authenticity matters to me. While it’s not something I typically shout from the rooftops — it can be unconventional and misunderstood — I am part of a triad. Recently, we celebrated a hand-fasting ceremony in Greece. This family structure works beautifully for us; we are all very happy (children included), and I feel incredibly fortunate to have found the other pieces of my soul. My home life is full, supportive, and loving, and that joy shapes the energy I bring into my work.

Thank you for supporting not only my craft, but the well-being of the family behind it. Every garment you trust me with helps keep this little dream of mine thriving.