Raised in the sleepy prairie town of Brandon, Manitoba, Janna Clearwater’s interest in design began at a young age when her mother first taught her a few sewing basics. By the age of 12 she altered all her own clothes, and loved to redesign second hand pieces and create new garments from vintage patterns.

Janna left Brandon for Edmonton, Alberta, where she enrolled in the Fashion Design Program at Marvel College. She focused her talents, and acquired the skills a professional designer must have. She then gained valuable experience pattern making and sample sewing in local clothing shops. Finally, she was ready to venture out on her own.

Starting with a small collection of one-of-a-kind T-shirts, under the Murmur label, she began by selling her designs at a seasonal outdoor market in downtown Edmonton.

Demand grew, not only for the t-shirts but for other pieces, too. In Spring of 2008, Janna launched her first bi-annual collection under the cinder+smoke label.

Cinder+smoke consists of well-constructed, feminine and versatile pieces. Twigg&hottie, a Vancouver boutique, describes Janna and her work: "Working vintage and new together, this Edmonton-based designer cuts like a bat outta hell."

By use of interesting vintage-inspired fabrics, and the utmost attention given to detail and fit, cinder+smoke has gained recognition and a loyal customer base throughout Western Canada.

Janna has high standards of construction and quality, and in order to adhere to those standards, she designs and manufactures each piece personally.

Classic and charming, cinder+smoke embodies Janna’s creative spirit and her passion for clothing and great design.