An Origami Customs Origin Story

In a world where fashion shifts like the tides, there's something truly special about a brand that stays true to its roots. The path of how Origami Customs was born is by no means a straight line, and our alternative origin story is a big reason why this company is so unique. 

Origami Customs wasn’t born from sure wasn't straightforward; it’s a rich tapestry woven from one person’s diverse experiences, unexpected life twists, and a deep commitment to individuality. This unique journey is what makes us who we are today: a diverse company built to create undergarments that are outside the norm. Today, we're excited to share how Origami Customs came to be and how our story is intertwined with the values we hold dear.

How It All Began

Every brand has a beginning, and ours started with one child and a spark of creativity. For Rae, our founder, sewing wasn't just a skill—it was a form of self-expression. Rae was always “that kid”, the one with an uncontainable passion for crafting their own clothing, even for their dolls and pets. (Their Barbies got elaborate dresses- but of course, all their hair also had to be chopped off!)

Their journey began at the young age of 6, seated at their mom's vintage sewing machine – one of those ancient in-desk singers built to withstand the test of time. It was a gateway to a world of self-expression. With their mother’s guidance, Rae started small, but playing with fashion soon touched every area of their life.

Creativity runs deep in Rae’s bloodline. With a family steeped in the art of making, they were surrounded by inspiration. Rae’s mom, a skilled dressmaker, crafted not just her own clothes (including her wedding dress!) but also garments for her children. Rae’s great aunt, a celebrated quilter, added another layer of artistic knowledge to their lineage. 

Proof that they really always were this gay. And that they had the best fashion sense from ages 3-6

But it was Rae’s sister who truly fanned the flames of their creative spirit, exposing Rae to punk and DIY fashion during their teenage years. Their sister encouraged Rae to play, helping them construct an array of alternative outfits that taught showed them the joy of expression through fashion.

Sewing as Queer Expression

High school was a time of exploration for Rae, a period marked by experiments with fashion—everything from old wedding dresses to combat boots, sleek suits, and even a three-cornered pirate hat. Hair colors ranged from purple to blue to black, even liberty spikes, and the first time they shaved their head. You could also often find their stretched ears full of batteries, tampons, or clothespins! 

Their goal was simple: to wear unique things, to play with styles, and to challenge gender norms. It was a time of self-discovery and acceptance, a period when they were embracing their Queer identity, coming out, and seeking authenticity.

But the journey wasn’t always easy. Growing up in Victoria, a town that wasn’t exactly a beacon of LGBTQ+ acceptance, Rae faced discrimination because of their orientation. It was a tough road, but they found solace in the world they could create for themselves. Fashion became a place where they could channel their expression and Queer joy into something tangible. It was a medium to not just explore but also to embrace their blossoming individualism and their identity.

In a world that often met their identity with closed minds, Rae found freedom in the clothes they could put on their body. Each new garment they created helped them feel more grounded in who they were as a person. Rae discovered the boundless power of self-expression and the limitless possibilities of a visual identity that could be achieved through fashion.

Finding Their Path

Rae never imagined that sewing would become their career. Even though sewing had been a form of self-expression, they never thought they’d be making clothes for others. Their dreams looked very different and consisted of travel, exploration, and most of all, helping people.

As a kid, Rae wanted to become an underwater archaeologist. When that dream shifted, they decided to follow in their mother and sister’s paths and pursue social work. They were driven by a deep desire to dismantle discrimination and access barriers and they thought that social work was the best way to accomplish that.

Their teenage years saw them deeply involved in volunteering through an international peace education program, CISV. These experiences not only ignited their passion for aiding others but also ignited a strong wanderlust. 

After high school, Rae was accepted into McGill University but chose to embark on a year of exploration first—a year that unexpectedly stretched into seven. Their travels spanned from Mexico to Panama, eventually leading them to settle on the charming Honduran island of Utila. It was here that their path took an unexpected turn. 

How Origami Customs Was Born

The brand story begins with this 19-year-old adventurer, carefree and barefoot, with no real plan, following where their heart led. A decision to learn SCUBA diving brought Rae to Utila, a small, picturesque Caribbean island with just one town and minimal development. What was supposed to be a short stay quickly ended up shaping their whole life.

They were never very good at surfing, but they love it. 

Living the quintessential backpacker life, Rae spent their days peddling handmade jewelry and swimming in the ocean. Weeks turned into months, and before long, they were head over heels for the island’s laid-back lifestyle—and for a woman who would become their wife.

Life on Utila was a simple affair, with a lone road meandering through town. Their days consisted of community, ocean, and leisurely bike rides with their two dogs in the bike basket. It was an idyllic existence, rich with the sights and sounds of coastal beauty, a far cry from the whirl of the outside world.

Given their deep connection with the ocean, Rae was practically living in swimwear, and they were quickly bothered by how poorly most fast-fashion bathing suits fit. That old creative spark flared up again, and the discomfort of generic gendered swimwear drove Rae to start crafting custom suits that truly fit and celebrated the uniqueness of each individual body.

Where the Name Origami Customs Comes From

As Rae crafted more swimwear for themselves, word started to spread. The island’s SCUBA divers, who were also frustrated with ill-fitting swimwear, began turning to Rae for help. Utila’s tight-knit community quickly recognized Rae’s sewing talents, and soon, they were known for creating swimsuits that solved common issues—poor fit, low quality, and lack of availability. Word spread across dive shops about Rae’s unique swimwear.

Armed with a sewing machine gifted by their wife and a determination to make something better, Rae began crafting custom swimwear that truly fit people. It wasn’t easy—working with lycra was new and challenging, and the salty air often jammed the sewing machine. But Rae persevered, spending countless hours drafting patterns on the kitchen floor and perfecting their craft.

The biggest challenge was that Utila’s remote location made it difficult to get supplies. Rae scavenged materials from local thrift stores, took shaky boat trips to the mainland, and embarked on long bus journeys to the fabric store in the capital.

Sometimes, Rae’s dad, a traveler to Asia, would send handmade silk scarves, which Rae ingeniously repurposed into their beachwear creations. It was this resourcefulness, this ability to turn disparate pieces into beautiful swimwear and coverups, that eventually inspired the name "Origami Customs." 

They resonated with the idea of taking unique, one-of-a-kind materials and upcycling them into something new, blending cultures and fashion styles into something at once personalized yet ubiquitous. 

Word of their unique creations spread. The demand for their custom-fit swimwear grew, and their designs were put to the ultimate test – tried and tested by friends and divers who wore them every day. With each success and every piece of positive feedback, Rae’s determination to perfect their designs only intensified. What began as a personal endeavour evolved into a vocation driven by a higher purpose—changing lives through custom clothing.

Origami Customs' impact soon extended beyond the little island. From personal orders to racks in a resort and eventually the launch of a beachwear store, the brand's journey grew ever broader. Rae’s commitment to their community and passion for gender-affirming clothing resonated deeply, creating a space where people could find clothing that truly celebrated their identities and needs.

The Move to Canada

After several years in Utila, Rae decided it was time to return to Victoria, BC. This move marked a new chapter for Origami Customs, one that would see the brand grow and evolve in ways Rae could never have imagined.

Back in Victoria, Rae found themselves in high demand within the local Queer and Trans community. People were searching for gender-affirming clothing—items that simply didn’t exist in mainstream fashion. They spoke with many old friends about their struggles accessing garments like gaffs, packing undies, and affirming swimwear, and learned the DIY ways in which the community members were learning to meet their own needs. 

Rae started prototyping, working with these friends to bring their dreams to reality and create products that could then be shared with others. While Rae’s custom swimwear had been a hit in Utila, in Canada, the focus shifted to creating gender-affirming products that made people feel seen, valued, and comfortable in their own skin.

As the demand for Rae’s creations grew, Origami Customs began to take shape as a brand with a mission. From commissions like a wedding dress, and a superhero outfit for a feature film, to tucking underwear and binders, Rae would take on projects that many wouldn’t.

Through years of honing their sewing talent, Rae had created the capacity to do what most brands can’t- create custom-fit affirming garments that could fit anyone, regardless of size or gender. 

From there the business only continued to grow, and they began partnering with NGOs. Rae wanted to make sure that their gender-affirming products were accessible to everyone, regardless of financial means. Origami Customs now gives away thousands of products to people who need them. 

This commitment to accessibility and community support is at the heart of Origami Customs’ mission. For Rae, it’s not just about creating clothing; it’s about creating a sense of belonging and making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Growing

As Origami Customs continued to expand, so did the challenges of managing a one-person operation. By this point Rae had moved to Montreal and found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer number of orders and the complexity of the customization options they offered. At one point, Origami had 300 different customizations available, making it nearly impossible to train someone else to help with production.

It became clear that changes were needed. Rae decided to streamline the offerings and focus on what Origami Customs did best—creating high-quality, gender-affirming garments. They hired staff that they trained as professional sewers, with a focus on creating replicable, high-quality products that still carried the personal touch that Origami Customs was known for.

Looking forward, Rae is excited about the future of Origami Customs. The brand has come a long way from its humble beginnings on a Caribbean island, but the core values of creativity, individuality, and community support remain the same. 

A Journey Of Love

The story of Origami Customs is one of passion, perseverance, and above all, individual expression. From Rae’s childhood experiments with sewing to the global adventures that shaped their path, every step of the journey has been about love and a deep commitment to making a difference in their community.

At Origami Customs, we believe in the power of clothing to transform lives. Our gender-affirming garments are more than just products; they are expressions of who we are and who we strive to be—a brand that celebrates individuality, lifts our community, and stands for ethical craftsmanship.