Tumbleweed Apparel
What do you look for in a t-shirt?
What catches your eye? Is it a comfortable fit, a flattering cut, or a fun, colourful design? Is it made in Canada or produced sustainably?
With Tumbleweed Apparel, Lloydminster’s own Della Stefanuk set out to create the perfect t-shirt that accomplishes all of the above. She wanted a piece that would easily become the wearer’s favorite shirt because it “just makes you happy when you put it on”.
Inspired by animals, nature, and making great memories, Della sought out to design a Canadian clothing brand that would fit the western lifestyle.
Her mission is “to create clothing that is good for people and good for the earth,” which helps contribute to bridging the worlds of regenerative agriculture efforts and sustainable clothing.
“There are so many great things happening in the farming and ranching world with regenerative and holistic practices,” said Della. “It makes sense to create clothing that recognizes that lifestyle in its designs and production.”
One of Della’s goals was to have the clothing produced ethically with a focus on quality and sustainability. The Original Collection was ethically made in South America in social-compliant facilities certified with WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production), C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism), and FLA (Fair Labour Association. The Hearth and Dare Collections are produced in Manitoba, Canada and the designs are screen-printed in the Canadian shop. The process uses water-based ink, which helps reduce waste and the use of plastic during production. Due to Della’s specific production requirements, the timeline of creating and releasing the products is a bit more challenging. For example, the fabrics are tested and sample shirts are tried and modified before they can be added to the collection. She advises anyone who is looking into starting their own clothing line to plan well, “take the time to brainstorm each step of production, seek advice, and explore a variety of options.”
Della began to work with Startup Lloydminster early in her business journey and continues to partake in workshops when she can. “Startup Lloyd helped me hone my business even in its earliest stages,” said Della. “The Business Model Canvas helped me envision and plan for my business launch. They helped me with my business plan as well”. Startup Lloydminster also connected Della with “Project Gazelle” where she was able to access supports such as the Business Profile Builder and peer mentoring pods.
What makes Tumbleweed Apparel stand out from other clothing companies? Della strives to create her products with you and your lifestyle in mind, aiming for her brand to “represent good vibes and body positivity.” Quality is important, even if it is more costly, as she believes that is what her customer deserves. Additionally, Tumbleweed Apparel donates 10% of the monthly sales to various non-profit organizations.
Della wearing the “Cowboy Crewneck”, designed by artist Lee Walker
When asked what has been her favorite design so far, Della responded that it was the Cowboy Crewneck as she was able to work with a talented artist, Lee Walker, on the design. Della explained that “seeing it makes me feel the warmth of the fire and lets me imagine the stories that would be told around the fire. It also brings personal memories to the surface, which is what I want my designs to be able to do for everyone.”
Looking ahead, Della’s desire is to expand into a variety of apparel styles, along with men’s and children's collections. She hopes that through the next few years, Tumbleweed will become a known brand among the prairies and throughout Canada. Della recently released a new collection, the Dare Collection, which you can now purchase on her website https://tumbleweedapparel.ca. You can also find Tumbleweed Apparel on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
