Some of life’s biggest moments are marked not by what we own, but by how we feel. A wedding, graduation, milestone birthday, first gala, or long-awaited celebration all become part of our personal story, and sometimes the right outfit helps us step into those moments with confidence. When those experiences can also be shared, made more accessible, and leave a lighter footprint, they become something even more meaningful.
That philosophy is what drew us to Angela Pastor and Julie Kalinowski, the childhood best friends behind The Fitzroy. Since founding Canada’s leading dress rental company in 2016, they’ve created a welcoming community rooted in inclusion, sustainability, and the belief that everyone deserves to feel their best. By reimagining what it means to “dress up,” they’ve shown that generosity, confidence, and celebration are all things that can be shared.
In their reflections, Angela and Julie speak about the uniquely Canadian spirit of lifting one another up, the community that has embraced their business, and the belief that there is a place for everyone here. Their story is a reminder that Canada’s greatest strength isn’t just its diversity, but the willingness to celebrate each other’s milestones as if they were our own.
You can find a Little Julie & Angela in Little Toronto, twinning in the Lola Dress by Lexi.
What does “being Canadian” mean to you, personally?
It means being grateful for the freedom we have here and living in a place that respects all cultures and backgrounds.
Can you share a moment when you felt deeply connected to this country or its people?
We have felt so welcomed by our community and Canadian women who love and support our business. It means the world to us to hear their stories about renting a dress for their wedding, or the award their winning, or their family or friend’s important milestone and all these major life moments in their lives. We are currently embarking on our Rental Revolution Tour, starting in Ottawa, and are so excited to connect with even more women across the country and spread the Dress Rental Magic.
Is there a part of your story that you think reflects something uniquely Canadian? Or something you could only have accomplished here?
Being part of the “smaller pond” up here allowed us to grow our business without the shadow of corporate giants or the noise of multiple competitors. It also provided us access to the business community leaders in a way we might not have had in a place like the US. Being able to call some of the top female Canadian business owners in Canada our loyal customers just shows how Canadians step up to support and lift one another up together.
What values guide how you show up in your community or work, and where did those values come from?
We are all about helping women look and feel their best, starting with our community of Fitzroy customers who we’ve gotten to know and have supported us as we’ve grown over the years. In return, we always do our best to support their own community initiatives, from donating to school fundraisers and local charity auctions, to providing prom dresses to girls in marginalized communities and working with various fundraising partners over the years. We are proud to be part of the Toronto community people know they can count on for support.
If someone reading this is still figuring out their place in Canada, what would you want them to know?
That there’s a place for everyone in Canada, and all are welcome. We love to learn about other cultures through our customers and team members who have recently arrived in Canada and see how each unique perspective makes us stronger as a whole.