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Ivy & Alex works to get water projects all sewn up by Abigail Cukier Special to the Beaver 39 | Thursday, June 4, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Alex Dinsmore is determined to change the world -- one dress at a time. The 11-year-old Oakville girl is the founder of Ivy & Alex. Working with her mom, Jacqueline and World Vision Canada, Alex is designing and selling dresses to raise money for initiatives around the world. "I wanted to help other kids. I am so fortunate to have all of the things that I have and I wanted to help other people who aren't as fortunate as me," said Alex, a Grade 5 student at E.J. James Public School. The cotton blend, A-line dresses are reversible, featuring a pattern on one side and solid colour on the other. The colour of each dress symbolizes what project the money will support. The blue dress supports clean drinking water projects. The green dress helps provide nutritious meals. The pink dress will assist education and health initiatives. Proceeds from the red dress support programs for children in Canada. The dresses, which are made in Canada, are designed to grow with you. They start as a dress, then can be worn as a tunic and then a shirt. Scrap material from the dresses are used to make hats and headbands. The idea of reversible clothing came naturally to Alex. Jacqueline, who used to be a corporate lawyer, left that career to start FlapJack Kids, which sells reversible winter and sun hats for children. "I was thrilled when Ali came up with this idea," Jacqueline said. "I went from being a corporate lawyer to an entrepreneur with the idea of spending more time with family. But as an entrepreneur, it never shuts off. I feel sad about travelling a lot and working. Now we can go down the entrepreneurial path together. She can come with me to trade shows and to do interviews. "We are making memories together. And no matter what happens, Ali spoke at World Vision headquarters to 500 people. The exposure, the public speaking, the confidence-building. I am thrilled to give her that experience." Alex has started an Indiegogo campaign to buy more fabric and help market the dresses at trade shows and to U.S. and Canadian stores. The campaign is halfway to its $15,000 goal. The dresses are selling in local boutiques, including Glama Gal in Oakville, in hospital gift shops and on ivyandalexproject.com. Alex, who also enjoys playing soccer, volleyball and singing, loves to explain the name of her company. "Alex is me. Ivy stands for I value you," she said. "It represents all of the people we will help with this project." serta® mattresses at outlet prices 6 new lines to choose from queen sizes starting as low as Oakville's Alex Dinsmore in her blue dress whose sales benefit water projects through World Vision Canada. | submitted photo available in twin to king sizes Hurontario st. Cawthra Road Dixie Road QEW $ Lake Shore Blvd. mon.-fri. 10 am-9 pm saturday 9:30 am-6 pm sunday 11 am-6 pm store hours: Dixie Outlet Mall Dixie Outlet Personal shopping only. All merchandise is sold "as is" and all sales final. No exchanges, returns, or adjustments on previously purchased merchandise, savings offers cannot be combined. Offers exclude delivery fees and catalogue purchases. No dealers. We reserve the right to limit quantities. Prices do not include home delivery. Although we strive for accuracy, unintentional errors may occur. We reserve the right to correct any error. Offers valid at Sears Dixie Outlet Store. C 2015 Sears Canada Inc. 29999 ea. Alert: Your ash trees are at risk from the Emerald Ash Borer ® TruGreen, Canada's leading lawn and tree care company, has been contracted to treat ash trees on public lands in the Town of Oakville from June through August. Ash trees in the Oakville area are at risk from Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive pest that destroys ash trees if left untreated. Avoid the costs of removal and replacement by treating your ash trees today with help from TruGreen. Special pricing available for Oakville residents. Call or visit TruGreen online for details. 1-866-294-7962 TruGreen.ca Learn more about protecting your ash trees. Join the Oakville Canopy Club. For more information visit oakville.ca Hwy. 427