For ONYX, the individual brings the product to life.  

Feeling sexy should not be constrained to body types portrayed in the media. Everyone deserves the opportunity to embrace their divinity and sexiness within. Founder Sandra Haney introduces ONYX Bodywear as a, “Proudly inclusive, accessible, body and sex-positive Canadian brand. Each product is a statement piece - whether that be edgy/alternative or sexy is up to the customer.” Haney spoke with me about the story behind ONYX and their mission for body-positive lingerie. 

When COVID-19 restrictions eased in B.C. this summer, I stumbled onto The Hive Home & Gifts, a boutique in Squamish with clothes and miscellaneous items from local designers. After noticing me gazing at the tantalizing strappy harness on display, a salesperson informed me that a woman-owned company crafted it in Vancouver. Sliding my fingers along the straps, I felt dedication in ONYX’s stitching. Compared to similar harnesses I had bought online, which held no grip and ripped after a night of dancing. The material was soft yet durable and also vegan as it was all elastic strapping. 

Haney says “We stand by the quality and the fact our products can change for when your body changes.” The customer can adjust key straps so they can wear the harness for hours comfortably and fit it perfectly for their body shape. ONYX’s approach is creating products as one-size-fits-most as they can adjust from XS to XXL (or more) depending on the style. 

Haney’s story begins with a shopping trip for her 40th birthday. She ventured into various boutiques in Vancouver on the lookout for intimate fetish-inspired apparel - returning home with hundreds of dollars worth of lingerie. Unsatisfied with her haul because of inconsistency in fit and style- the customization process unfolded. “I looked at basically a pile of elastic, lace and mesh and thought I could make this myself!”  She believes that some boutiques fail to supply quality, affordable lingerie that adapts to different body shapes. Budget-friendly items seem to be mass-produced packaged in plastic film or the more luxurious brands come at an exorbitant price. There was a gap in finding something in between with the strappy style she was searching for

Shortly after Haney met up with a long-time friend and former colleague Alison Palmer for their semi-regular bitch and stitch session. Haney mentioned the idea to make some harnesses or cage wear and together, designs for ONYX Bodywear began. Haney says that “ [we] shared a creative synergy that extended beyond our professional relationship and friendship, and ONYX was born out of that.” 

ONYX’s humble beginnings as an Etsy shop producing sexy accessories for everybody. Haney never set out to create products for wholesale. However, that changed in 2018 when Palmer strolled into Your Open Closet,  the sister-shop of Womyn's Ware, known for its sex-positive values including toys and sexual health items for folks hoping to transform their self-care routine. “A big thing we represent is that feeling sexy and looking sexy is healthy and good - for themselves - or however they want to do it,” says Haney. 

Palmer was her business partner during the early stages - helping out with start-up, design and production up until 2018 when she left to concentrate on her full-time career. They remain close friends and ONYX still carries one of Palmer’s original designs:  the diamond cage bra that makes everyone feel like royalty. 

Needing a partner to help the business grow, Haney recruited her friend of almost 30 years, Marga Devam, to help. Devam is based in Edmonton and supports ONYX in design, manufacturing and sales

Despite the simplicity of their designs, the manufacturing process is time-consuming. “It takes a long time to assemble with a lot of attention to quality work and details - definitely not fast fashion and makes labour costs higher.” Before each harness reaches consumers, the ONYX team designs a prototype, adjusts, sews alterations and revises until they have a final product that meets their standard. ONYX’s website features a limited selection of cage bras, harnesses and garters - of several distinct designs that change once or twice a year.

 "We are a small operation, so compared to some other brands we operate lean and produce many of our orders on-demand, so there is no wastage," says Haney. Currently, in addition to Devam, she has two part-time seamstresses sewing their products. 

Pre-COVID, ONYX attended trade shows to help grow the brand and connect with consumers. Haney says people would commonly remark, “I love your stuff, but there is no way this will fit me!” She challenges them to try it anyway. After they try on one of our products they feel sexy, strong and empowered,  “it’s a rush every single time - it just makes you feel so good when you see something you’ve made make someone feel that way.” 

Haney recognizes that ONYX designs a niche product that will not fit everyone’s taste. The harness allure is more likely to interest a crowd looking for an alternative or edgy look. The stretch of the strapping does not work for those interested in exploring their kink for leather and bondage. However, strappy fashion is becoming more mainstream which also speaks for ONYX’s versatility beyond erotic fashion. Haney says, “you can wear [the harness] with your most utility, comfortable bra and daytime outfit, and it just takes it up a notch - so there is that versatility for boudoir and every day.” 

You can purchase ONYX’s products at various brick and mortar shops in the Pacific Northwest, Alberta, the Midwest of the USA and even Kenya. Haney says “We are a local brand and our growth has been careful baby steps, but we are moving in the right direction.” 

Model River Rusalka I Photographer Jamie Edgar Photography

ONYX

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Alexis Zygan

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