Claudella Gillies spent four years in New York before moving to Montreal. She studied fashion design at Lasalle College, opened her atelier in 2001.

Born in Jamaica, Claudella Gillies spent four years in New York before moving to Montreal. She studied fashion design for three years at LaSalle College, and worked two years in Montreal's large fashion industry before opening her own atelier-boutique in February, 2001. Proud of her heritage, she christened it Oonu - Jamaican patois for "you".