Corsets & Women Entrepreneurs, Part 2: The Remarkable Mme Vermilyea

Schedule

Sun Nov 16 2025 at 02:00 pm to 04:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Back Lane Studios | Toronto, ON

Advertisement
In the1880s-90s, Hannah Vermilyea had a store and showroom in Toronto, and a corset factory in the Junction. She was also caught smuggling!
About this Event

In this second of three illustrated talks on corsets and dressmaking in 19th century Toronto, historian and fashion expert Dr. Alanna McKnight introduces us to the extraordinay corset maker Mme Hannah Vermilyea. She had a showroom and a store in downtown Toronto and a corset-making factory in the Junction. She employed an all-woman workforce of 150 and had some corset patents to her name. Later she moved to the U.S. but decided to bypass any tariffs: She was caught smuggling thousands of dollars’ worth of corsets across the border!

In her last talk on Sunday, Dec. 14, Alanna introduces us to Mary Augusta and the pre-industrial needle trade in Toronto. While much has been written about Mary's husband, Alexander Augusta, the second Black doctor in Toronto, Mary's career as a Black dressmaker and shop owner would have remained forgotten had she not in 1854 placed an 1854 in a newspaper serving the Black population in Upper Canada.

The illustrated talks take place at Back Lane Studios, 9 Neepawa Ave. in Roncesvalles Village (a block south of Howard Park Ave. and just east of Roncesvalles Ave. Tickets: $15 for each lecture (refreshments included). Only 30 tickets available for each session.


Event Photos

Lecture 3: Mary Augusta: The Forgotten Black Dressmaker with a Famous Husband: Sunday, Dec. 14, 2-4pm. Get tickets .


Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Back Lane Studios, 9 Neepawa Avenue, Toronto, Canada

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

CAD 15.00

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Back Lane Studios

Host or Publisher Back Lane Studios

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Toronto

Folklore in Your Face! Melanka Masks & Embodiment with Kosa Folk Arts
Sun, 16 Nov at 01:00 pm Folklore in Your Face! Melanka Masks & Embodiment with Kosa Folk Arts

Hart House

WORKSHOPS ART
Girls in Business Camp Toronto 2025
Sun, 16 Nov at 01:00 pm Girls in Business Camp Toronto 2025

475 Yonge St

BUSINESS
JazzInToronto's Songbird Series: Jennarie Sings Amy Winehouse
Sun, 16 Nov at 01:00 pm JazzInToronto's Songbird Series: Jennarie Sings Amy Winehouse

The Pilot

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Wood Block Printing
Sun, 16 Nov at 01:00 pm Wood Block Printing

Centre for Social Innovation - Spadina

WORKSHOPS ART
Jan Lisiecki, piano
Sun, 16 Nov at 03:00 pm Jan Lisiecki, piano

273 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, Canada, Ontario M5S 1W2

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
A Conversation with Kamala Harris
Sun, 16 Nov at 03:00 pm A Conversation with Kamala Harris

TO Live

ART
FASHION presents: An Exclusive Designer Reveal x Fashion Art Toronto
Sun, 16 Nov at 03:00 pm FASHION presents: An Exclusive Designer Reveal x Fashion Art Toronto

Undisclosed Location

ART FASHION
Macrame Winter Wreath Workshop
Sun, 16 Nov at 03:30 pm Macrame Winter Wreath Workshop

Morning Parade Coffee Bar

WORKSHOPS CHRISTMAS-WREATH-WORKSHOPS
Toronto Clue Solving Adventure - The Beasts of Bloor Street
Fri, 19 Nov at 09:00 am Toronto Clue Solving Adventure - The Beasts of Bloor Street

Royal Ontario Museum

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
AMPD PROGRAM TOUR: Visual Art & Art History
Fri, 11 Feb at 01:00 pm AMPD PROGRAM TOUR: Visual Art & Art History

Joan & Martin Goldfarb Centre for Fine Arts (CFA) room 164D (Student Information Booth)

ART WORKSHOPS
Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Toronto & Collingwood
Sat, 12 Feb at 12:00 am Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Toronto & Collingwood

Highway 400 & 26

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Toronto Secret Food Tours
Thu, 15 Jun at 11:00 am Toronto Secret Food Tours

St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts

SPORTS FOOD-DRINKS
Amazing Scavenger Hunt - The Wonders of Old Toronto
Thu, 29 Aug at 08:00 am Amazing Scavenger Hunt - The Wonders of Old Toronto

157 King St E

SPORTS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
A Date Night Adventure! - The Wonders of Old Toronto
Wed, 23 Oct at 08:00 am A Date Night Adventure! - The Wonders of Old Toronto

157 King St E

TRIPS-ADVENTURES SPORTS
A Date Night Adventure! -  The Heart of Toronto
Tue, 29 Oct at 08:00 am A Date Night Adventure! - The Heart of Toronto

206 Bay St.

ART TRIPS-ADVENTURES
FREE Mural Tour Dundas West - Little Portugal Toronto
Sat, 22 Feb at 11:00 am FREE Mural Tour Dundas West - Little Portugal Toronto

Three Sister mural

ART ENTERTAINMENT
Hiroshima Appeals: A Poster Exhibition of Global Messages
Thu, 13 Mar at 11:30 am Hiroshima Appeals: A Poster Exhibition of Global Messages

The Japan Foundation, Toronto

EXHIBITIONS MUSIC
Multicultural Marvels & Maple Delights in Toronto Audio Tour
Sun, 06 Apr at 08:00 am Multicultural Marvels & Maple Delights in Toronto Audio Tour

30 Yonge St

SPORTS TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Old Town Toronto Walking Tour \u2013 Pay What You Feel (Booking Required)
Tue, 15 Jul at 01:00 pm Old Town Toronto Walking Tour – Pay What You Feel (Booking Required)

Toronto Old City Hall

ART MEETUPS
Toronto Graffiti Walking Tour \u2013 Pay What You Feel (Booking Required)
Sat, 19 Jul at 10:00 am Toronto Graffiti Walking Tour – Pay What You Feel (Booking Required)

MEC Toronto

ART MEETUPS

What's Happening Next in Toronto?

Discover Toronto Events