Our Story
We have always been so similar yet opposite. Vanessa is more left brain, Andrea is more right. Vanessa has always been a social butterfly with a knack for giving directions. Andrea was knee-deep in glitter by the time she could walk and has been creating ever since. Growing up together as young sisters we would dream of someday owning and operating our very own retail store.
We’ve always been big-dreamers, cautious risk-takers, and huge believers in love. Yeah, you could call us hopeless romantics. Working for ourselves was always the obvious choice, and who wouldn’t want to work with their bestie?!
You see, we are a little bit of retail nerds with an obsession for authentic customer service. Our favourite thing to do when visiting a new place is to check out it’s trendy independent shops. Gathering inspiration and learning how other retail businesses differentiate always excites us.
It must be in our blood or something cause together we have always wanted to provide a special shopping experience. Until in 2014 when Sash + Bustle came to be we didn’t exactly know what that meant.
Sash + Bustle has some how married (pun intended) all of our skill sets and
passions as individuals. One of our favourite work-perks is that S+B allows us to be a small part of a bride’s wedding day, which we couldn’t be more honoured for. Supporting other women has always been a driving force for us.
It gives us the warm and fuzzies when someone lights up in a gown, when they feel like the best version of themselves and they just FEEL great. If we can help someone feel AH-mazing, that’s a win!
2021
the year we moved to our forever home
2015
the year we grew
2014
the year we started
5,000
happy brides
The Sash + Bustle Origin Story
As young girls, sisters Vanessa and Andrea shared a dream of working in fashion. In 2014, they became co-owners of Sash + Bustle, combining their passion for bridal with their business and design backgrounds.
Meet the Dineen Sisters
meet ANDREA
Andrea’s love of art and design began at a young age and eventually led her to study at Ryerson University’s School of Fashion. As a student, Andrea was recognized with several awards. Her designs were the People’s Choice Winner in the 2013 Toronto Art of Fashion competition and she even had her leather jacket design chosen to be produced by Danier.
Andrea brings her aesthetic gifts to creating a strong visual identity for Sash + Bustle. While managing the shopping experience and buying with her sister, she also oversees the store’s social media and creation of our visual advertisements. Andrea recently became a Sash + Bustle bride herself when she married her high school sweetheart, Eric, wearing an incredible Carol Hannah gown.
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FAV S+B DESIGNER of the moment:
Rachel Rose
Fun Fact:
Can rock out on the ukulele
VANESSA
Vanessa studied Business Management at Conestoga College and Ryerson University. In addition to her extensive education, she has invested 11 years in the hospitality industry, filling roles from entry level to management. After working with more than 75 brides to plan and execute their weddings, Vanessa learned that this overwhelming task is much more enjoyable when the people assisting you are friendly, realistic, and down to earth – and that’s the philosophy she brings to Sash + Bustle. While much of her work happens behind the scenes making the store’s operations run seamlessly, Vanessa makes it a priority to meet each and every bride. She is like the Sash + Bustle momma bear, helping ensure that each stylist is supported in providing the one-on-one, attentive service we stand for. When Vanessa got married she wore one of our favourite Canadian designers Truvelle for her special day. She stunned her husband Dillon and he couldn’t hold his happy tears back.
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FAV S+B DESIGNER of the moment:
Daalarna
Fun Fact:
Loves to hit the slopes with a snowboard
