Le cucitrici : Voices of Montréal’s Italian seamstresses

They had the impression immigrants didn’t speak any language, didn’t understand anything. A woman who knew me said, ‘Ausilia, don’t worry. Tomorrow, I’ll take you with me to work.’ That’s how I found a job. From that day on, I always worked. Always, always, always.” — Ausilia Giannetti

The exhibition Le cucitrici – Voices of Montréal’s Italian Seamstresses highlights the vital role played by Italian women in Montréal’s clothing industry following the Second World War (1939–1945). Part of a major wave of immigration, these seamstresses made a significant contribution to the social, economic and cultural development of their community, at the same time participating in the rise of the manufacturing sector, which was key to the city.

Reflecting on their work inside and outside the home, le cucitrici share testimonies about responsibility, emancipation, resourcefulness, and heritage. The exhibition highlights their often- overlooked contributions, underscoring the way in which these women shaped their life, that of their family and, more broadly, the memory of Montréal.