Wear Our Heritage specializes in artisanal quality clothing and accessories made with natural fur. Wool capes and jackets with detachable fur collars are also very popular. See the SHOP tab for fall and winter fur accessories, including a wide variety of fur-trimmed wool hats. There are also a few spring fur trimmed items and some hand embroidered items inspired by her Polish heritage. She has no “physical store” but works from her home studio, outside of Saskatoon. Online ordering through this website is available, with items sent by priority mail within Canada. Please email in advance if you live outside of Canada.
Sheila Schmutz is the designer and creator of the fur trimmed accessories and apparel at Wear Our Heritage. Her husband Joe contributes to the design process. Sheila is interested in promoting the use and wearing of natural fur in honour of our Canadian fur trapping heritage and in respect for the many northern peoples who still depend on fur as part of their livelihood. Thus “Wear Our Heritage” has become her logo.
She uses fur from Canadian wild animals. She only purchases fur that is “garment tanned” to ensure maximum softness and quality. Many pelts are acquired through a special program whereby Indigenous youth are paid full market price, even if the pelt has some small holes or imperfections.
The process of design is begun by studying a particular pelt. The pelt is her inspiration. Different furs lead to the creation of different pieces. The colors and length of fur vary among different individuals and so no two pieces are ever quite the same. She tries to use the entire garment-tanned pelt, often incorporating the tails into various pieces. She chose to work with wool (often 80/20 wool blends) to maintain the “natural” fibre aspect of the pieces, and to provide the warmth expected of winter clothing. 100% silk is used for the smaller spring collection.
Therefore Sheila does not do “custom work”. She tries to maintain a diverse inventory, but she does not necessarily have the particular pelt desired or the wool fabric in stock to make a specific item. She attempts to keep all the items she has in stock up to date on these pages, but feel free to email her ([email protected]) if you are looking for an item you don’t see on the SHOP pages. It’s possible she’s recently finished something else. Please check back monthly during the fall and winter as new items are created.