Dress Cozy will show their FW25 collection on the runway at Vancouver Fashion Week on Fri., April 11th at 5:10 PM. Purchase tickets HERE!
Bio -
Carol Botelho, founder and creative mind of Dress Cozy, weaves more than clothes — she weaves stories. Her brand is a quiet rebellion against fleeting trends, offering women garments that are both a refuge and a revelation. Carol’s work is rooted in the belief that fashion is not merely adornment, but a companion in the delicate act of reinventing oneself. Shaped by her own journey of transformation, she invites women to find comfort, purpose, and authenticity in every stitch. With Dress Cozy, Ana Carolina redefines the relationship between style and self, reminding us that fashion can be both a second skin and a second chance.
Our outfits are proudly designed and made in Canada. We are deeply committed to conscious manufacturing, focusing on producing fewer, better pieces that offer durability, style, and functionality.
Interview -
Please share a bit about your journey to embrace fashion design as a career.
I started Dress Cozy two and a half years ago, almost by instinct. At that time, it wasn't planned, and I had no background in fashion design. It came from a personal need to reconnect with myself after becoming a mother and feeling disconnected from my own body. Fashion became a tool for healing and expression. Later, I formalized part of my learning by graduating from Blanche Macdonald, where I studied Fashion Marketing — but design itself? That part I learned by doing, experimenting, and staying curious. I’m naturally very focused, always learning, and I tend to deep dive into everything that sparks my interest. That’s how I built Dress Cozy — heart first, then hands-on learning every day.
How did you learn your skills?
I would say I'm mostly self-taught when it comes to design. I never formally studied fashion design, but I’m the kind of person who is always observing, studying, and putting things into practice. My creativity is constant — my mind never really stops — so I’ve learned by making, testing, and listening to the women who wear my clothes. That said, I’m also really lucky to be surrounded by amazing people. I have a very talented seamstress who has become my right hand and is essential to bringing my ideas to life.
Carol Botelho, founder and creative mind of Dress Cozy, weaves more than clothes — she weaves stories. Her brand is a quiet rebellion against fleeting trends, offering women garments that are both a refuge and a revelation. Carol’s work is rooted in the belief that fashion is not merely adornment, but a companion in the delicate act of reinventing oneself. Shaped by her own journey of transformation, she invites women to find comfort, purpose, and authenticity in every stitch. With Dress Cozy, Ana Carolina redefines the relationship between style and self, reminding us that fashion can be both a second skin and a second chance.
Our outfits are proudly designed and made in Canada. We are deeply committed to conscious manufacturing, focusing on producing fewer, better pieces that offer durability, style, and functionality.
Interview -
Please share a bit about your journey to embrace fashion design as a career.
I started Dress Cozy two and a half years ago, almost by instinct. At that time, it wasn't planned, and I had no background in fashion design. It came from a personal need to reconnect with myself after becoming a mother and feeling disconnected from my own body. Fashion became a tool for healing and expression. Later, I formalized part of my learning by graduating from Blanche Macdonald, where I studied Fashion Marketing — but design itself? That part I learned by doing, experimenting, and staying curious. I’m naturally very focused, always learning, and I tend to deep dive into everything that sparks my interest. That’s how I built Dress Cozy — heart first, then hands-on learning every day.
I would say I'm mostly self-taught when it comes to design. I never formally studied fashion design, but I’m the kind of person who is always observing, studying, and putting things into practice. My creativity is constant — my mind never really stops — so I’ve learned by making, testing, and listening to the women who wear my clothes. That said, I’m also really lucky to be surrounded by amazing people. I have a very talented seamstress who has become my right hand and is essential to bringing my ideas to life.
Who are you as a designer? Aesthetic? Customer? Brand?
I see myself as someone who creates clothing for women who want to feel comfortable, beautiful, and seen — without following trends. I don't chase fashion cycles; I focus on the woman behind the clothes. My aesthetic is cozy yet intentional — soft, layered, sometimes minimal, sometimes playful — always with meaning. I design for women who are going through (or have gone through) transformations in life and are looking for clothing that feels like a second skin. The brand is about slow fashion, sustainability, and honest storytelling. I want women to wear Dress Cozy and feel like themselves — comfortable but empowered.
What comes easiest for you as a designer? What is hardest?
What comes easiest is the storytelling behind each piece. I love thinking about how clothing can be part of a woman’s journey, not just a pretty outfit. The hardest part is definitely production timelines and finding good quality materials, especially since I work, mostly, on a made-to-order model and often use deadstock materials. It’s unpredictable sometimes, but it keeps me grounded and creative at the same time.
Where do you find inspiration for new collections? How important is colour to your design process?
Readers would love to know more about the collection you will be showing at Vancouver Fashion Week.
I worked with a lot of deadstock fabrics, which I love because they carry their own stories, and combined different fabrics to create contrasts and unexpected textures. Every detail is intentional. The colour palette also evolves along the way. It’s all about expressing the beauty and complexity of change.
Do you have a favorite look in this collection?
Since the collection is still being made — literally as we speak — I don’t have a favorite yet. But I can say I’m falling in love with the pieces as they come to life. There’s something magical about seeing them evolve right in front of me.
In closing, is there anything else you'd like to share with readers?
I just want to thank every woman who has crossed paths with Dress Cozy. Whether by wearing the pieces or sharing their stories, they inspire me every day. "Metamorphosis - The Becoming of Her" is dedicated to them.
Links
I see myself as someone who creates clothing for women who want to feel comfortable, beautiful, and seen — without following trends. I don't chase fashion cycles; I focus on the woman behind the clothes. My aesthetic is cozy yet intentional — soft, layered, sometimes minimal, sometimes playful — always with meaning. I design for women who are going through (or have gone through) transformations in life and are looking for clothing that feels like a second skin. The brand is about slow fashion, sustainability, and honest storytelling. I want women to wear Dress Cozy and feel like themselves — comfortable but empowered.
What comes easiest for you as a designer? What is hardest?
What comes easiest is the storytelling behind each piece. I love thinking about how clothing can be part of a woman’s journey, not just a pretty outfit. The hardest part is definitely production timelines and finding good quality materials, especially since I work, mostly, on a made-to-order model and often use deadstock materials. It’s unpredictable sometimes, but it keeps me grounded and creative at the same time.
Inspiration usually comes from women themselves — their stories, their strength, their transformations. I also take a lot from my own journey as a woman, immigrant, mother, and creative. Nature is another huge source of inspiration for me, especially here in Canada, where the seasons are so present.
Colour plays a big role, but not in the usual sense. I use colour to support the narrative of the collection. For my new collection, for example, colour tells the story of transformation — we start with earthy, muted tones, move into neutrals, and finish with vibrant colours as the character becomes freer and more fully herself.
The collection is called *Metamorphosis – The Becoming of Her*. It’s inspired by the transformations that women go through — sometimes silently, sometimes powerfully. The collection is divided into three acts, each showing a stage of this metamorphosis. We go from more grounded, structured silhouettes to soft, and powerful shapes.
Since the collection is still being made — literally as we speak — I don’t have a favorite yet. But I can say I’m falling in love with the pieces as they come to life. There’s something magical about seeing them evolve right in front of me.
Where can readers purchase your designs?
My designs will be available on my website: www.dresscozy.ca
What's next for you as a designer and your brand?
I want to continue deepening the connection between my designs and the women who wear them. My next step is to open more space for storytelling through slow fashion — sharing real women's stories, creating pieces that are meaningful beyond the runway, and expanding the brand with care. I also want to keep participating in fashion events like Vancouver Fashion Week that allow me to share this message on a bigger stage.
My designs will be available on my website: www.dresscozy.ca
What's next for you as a designer and your brand?
I want to continue deepening the connection between my designs and the women who wear them. My next step is to open more space for storytelling through slow fashion — sharing real women's stories, creating pieces that are meaningful beyond the runway, and expanding the brand with care. I also want to keep participating in fashion events like Vancouver Fashion Week that allow me to share this message on a bigger stage.
In closing, is there anything else you'd like to share with readers?
I just want to thank every woman who has crossed paths with Dress Cozy. Whether by wearing the pieces or sharing their stories, they inspire me every day. "Metamorphosis - The Becoming of Her" is dedicated to them.
Links
- Website - www.dresscozy.ca
- Facebook - www.facebook.com/share/16Cd6MdPLL/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Instagram - @dress.cozy
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