Kinna Sohna celebrates 25 years of craftsmanship and ethical fashion in Stratford

Kinna Sohna owner Sartaj Kaur stands inside her Stratford boutique, surrounded by the handcrafted, fair-trade garments and textiles she designs and sources from artisans across the world.

By Amanda Modaragamage

Kinna Sohna, the boutique space at 55 York St. in Stratford, is celebrating 25 years of traditional craftsmanship and ethical fashion with 15 per cent off most items from Dec. 4-7.

Kinna Sohna translates to “how beautiful” or “how handsome” in Punjabi – a fitting name for a shop built around handmade artistry. Owner Sartaj Kaur moved her boutique from Toronto’s designer district to Stratford eight years ago. With the rising financial pressures of the city, she knew it was time for a shift and set her sights on finding the right home for her work. Stratford ended up being exactly that.

“I really was just following my heart,” said Kaur. “I wanted to leave Toronto. I wanted to be in a small town. This location became available and some of my customers from here kept saying I should move to Stratford, and it worked out for me; the timing was just right.”

In her 30s, after stepping away from the corporate world, Kaur found herself drawn to textiles. She began exploring the craft more deeply, learning everything she could about fabrics, production and the global textile landscape. Coming from a family with a strong business background, she knew entrepreneurship was where she was headed – but doing it ethically was non-negotiable.

“I wanted to do something creative,” she said. “I would talk to anybody who was doing what they loved. I talked to them and asked, “How did you get to do what you loved?” to learn from them. I started this business when I was 35, so I did a lot of soul searching. I went through the book, Artist’s Way, about three times. A book that really impacted me was Creating a Life Worth Living. I spent a lot of time figuring out what gives me joy.”

Today, her clothing line is produced through an ethical textile cooperative in India, where artisans earn fair wages, have democratic input and have access to essentials like health care and clean water. Kaur chooses her partner communities based on personal experience and meaningful relationships, travelling yearly to work and learn alongside the makers themselves.

“I feel like I’ve been successful all this time because I’m present while all of the work is being done,” she said. “I’m (in India) on the floor, packing boxes and I get to be there while they’re sewing. I buy the fabric and sometimes I’m the one going to the block printers and bringing fabric to them.”

Kinna Sohna offers something rare: slow-fashion pieces created with intention. The clothing is vibrant, unique and thoughtfully designed – a mix of bold patterns, memorable colours and timeless silhouettes. Kaur says the shop is for anyone looking to elevate their style while still being mindful of what they’re purchasing and where it comes from.

“My stuff is truly slow fashion – it’s sustainable,” said Kaur. “There’s the person who washes the fabric, the person who prepares it for printing, then the block printer, then another person washing it again and someone else laying the fabric out in the fields. There are so many people involved – the ones I buy buttons and thread from, as well as the embroiderers themselves. It’s almost like supporting a whole village.”

Most pieces in the store are designed by Kaur and crafted from natural, handmade fibres. The collection includes clothing for both men and women, ranging from XS to 4XL, with each item created as a one-of-a-kind piece.

The shop also carries globally sourced carpets, handcrafted jewellery and other artisan-made items. Everything in the store – every pattern, print, stitch and textile – comes with its own story.

Kaur is deeply involved in every step of the process and is on site to help shoppers find the right fit, colour and style. Her knowledge of the craft, paired with her personal approach, is part of why her customer base has stayed loyal over the past 25 years.

Being a woman in business hasn’t always been easy, Kaur says. From selecting textiles abroad to unpacking new arrivals in the shop, the work is hands-on and often labour-intensive. But the reward is in seeing people wear and cherish pieces that are made to last.

In a culture dominated by disposable fashion, Kinna Sohna offers something different – clothing meant to be loved, cared for and passed down through generations.