Tamara Stepchuk-Forrest and Olenka Stepchuk are born and raised Ottawa natives. They both are mothers of two daughters and have been active in the Ottawa community their entire lives. Tamara and Olenka come from a family with a long history in the garment industry. Their mother Lydia Stepchuk grew up in Toronto with a father who was a master tailor and designer. She was taught at a very young age how to sew, design and understand fabrics.  She later went to New York to Fashion Design School and after she graduated, she opened her first shop in Ottawa in 1977. Lydia taught Tamara and Olenka the ins and outs on running a successful retail business and taught them everything they know about the fashion industry. The girls grew up learning the family business that has been an Ottawa mainstay for over 45 years. 

Now Tamara and Olenka have taken the family business to the next level. "Our concept is to have a one stop shop with designer clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories like a little department store, a fashion emporium. Fashion United is all about fun, living a full life and looking and feeling fabulous! Fashion is a way we express ourselves and show the world our personality and who we are. We love what we do because it makes people happy and isn't that what life is all about? Isn't there always a reason to get something new and treat yourself! If you are feeling good, having a bad day and need to be cheered up, got a promotion, have a hot date, got a new job, have a trip to go to, lost weight, won the lottery...lol!"