Roger DeSouza is a one of a kind guy like the vintage clothing he sells in his shops in the heart of Kensington Market, a Mecca for lovers of vintage clothing from around the world. Kensington Market is found in the City of Toronto, an oasis of multiculturalism in action, steps away from Chinatown and a ten to fifteen minute walk from Toronto’s downtown core.
Seated on one of his vintage motorcycles in his garage at the back of his shop, dressed in a denim jacket, a 60s sweater, a Western style shirt, and denim jeans, DeSouza radiates joyfulness. His journey into the vintage clothing business started 12 years ago, when he landed a retail job in a vintage clothing store. As a chef, he was no longer interested in cooking. “It was an easy transition for me and then, it became a part of my life,” said the amiable DeSouza, who likes people immensely. Since his childhood days growing up in Brazil in a household with seven sisters and a mother who was a seamstress who made wedding gowns, he had an appreciation for well-made clothing and developed a passion for vintage denim.
His voice fills with excitement as he describes his twice-weekly trips to a huge warehouse in the city to sort through piles of clothes in container bins and pick out vintage clothing. Vintage clothing is considered any style of clothing made between the 20s and 70s with good quality fabrics and crafted with superior workmanship.
DeSouza doesn’t mind getting down and dirty. In fact, he loves it. In his recent foraging, he found a Christian Dior dress from the 50s, which was quickly snapped up by the Royal Ontario Museum. Another interesting find were these Japanese embroidered souvenir jackets (which are called suka-jan in Japan), a popular souvenir item among the G.I.s stationed in Japan during the 40s. The ’suka-jan’ jackets are very popular among the Japanese tourists who visit his shops.
DeSouza considers himself to be a very fortunate person to make a living from doing something he loves to do. “Do what you love and let life be your inspiration,” DeSouza said. After learning the business, he took a risk and opened a tiny store at No. 39 Kensington with a little money he had saved, turning his passion for vintage clothing into a reality. Now, 12 years later, he has several stores in Kensington market, and wholesales to other businesses. “You should have a plan, be patient, and re-invest your profits in your business,” he added.
His mom, who passed away last year on Thanksgiving Day, was one of the greatest influences on his life. His voice conveys a deep sense of gratitude. “She raised ten children without ever having to raise her voice,” he said lovingly. 
Another profound influence on his life was Hermann Hesse’s Indian novel Siddhartha, which inspired DeSouza to go to India in 1975. He stayed in India for many years, lived in an ashram and adopted many concepts of a spiritual life. He became a vegetarian and a practitioner of yoga. In total, he has visited India 21 times over his lifetime.
DeSouza can’t see himself doing anything else and hopes others find their calling in life as he has done.
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