PAID ADVERTISEMENT Read more at truenorthliving.ca
A SPECIAL INTEREST SECTION BY MEDIAPLANET
Ethical Fashion SUSTAINABLE FASHION:
Q&A with Nikki Reed, Founder of BaYou with Love What sparked your interest in sustainability? How does it intertwine with your passion for fashion? Interestingly, my passion for sustainability came from my desire to see less, not more, in the fashion space. I wanted to merge consciousness with production and create a world where we didn't have to design around seasonal trends and short-lived items. We're all being told we need more when I truly feel like what we need is less, but better. I had this desire to create multi-purpose products and products that would last a lifetime.
What tips would you give someone looking to incorporate sustainability into their daily life and fashion choices? The best advice I can give is to purchase less but purchase better. Forget trends, stop watching TikTok videos where people try to sell you a new outfit every day that will fall apart in two seconds, and start to learn about the harm fast fashion does to the environment. Instead, re-wear things, re-purpose garments, shop from vintage stores, and continue to look at what's in your closet through a new lens. So many things that my mother wore 45 years ago are still relevant today. Some amazing websites like TheRealReal have high-end second-hand clothing, and if I'm feeling the urge to shop, it usually comes from there.
What inspired you to start BaYou with Love?
Shop BaYou with Love at bayouwithlove.com.
I really wanted to create products that could last a lifetime. One of the reasons why I love working with gold is because I really connect with the idea that we can have something we love forever. I love heirloom pieces, and I love thinking about a piece of jewellery being passed down from generation to generation. There's something so special about knowing you're wearing something that has a story.
Q&A with Sage Paul, Indigenous Designer and Artist What actions need to be taken to ensure that Indigenous people are properly represented in the Canadian fashion industry? I've seen a lot of change in the fashion industry over the last couple of years. But I know there are definitely some areas that need to be focused on for Indigenous people and people who are generally left out of the industry. The way to include that perspective in the industry is by creating access, by diversifying what's available to consumers, and to audiences who are interested in witnessing fashion. Our communities bring many values to the industry, especially regarding things like sustainability. I was raised with many values that I think are universal but seem to ring true in my community: only taking what you need and not leaving anything behind. And I think that can change processes, like how people are treated or how we take from the earth and how we give back to the planet and each other.
If you could say one thing to top fashion executives, what would it be? I would tell them to come to the Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival (IFA) and listen and really take it in. I don't want to sit here and tell them what they should do. But there's already a lot of really great work being done. And if they just come and be a part of our space, I think that can inspire and influence change. IFA is a multi-platform festival. We have hundreds of designers who attend, so it really is a fruitful place to go. There's a lot to celebrate and experience, but there's also a lot to learn, and it's really about people listening. It's like, "Stop thinking about the profits for a second and think about strategizing about what those next steps are and how you want that to look." And if you're living in a vacuum, change will never happen. So step outside of that box and visit other people who are doing it differently.
Q&A with Kelly Drennan, Founding Executive Director of Fashion Takes Action Why is it essential to incorporate sustainability throughout the entire clothing lifecycle? Overall, our clothes have a massive impact on the environment — from harvesting raw materials through processing the fabric to cutting and sewing and then end of life. Fashion brands must consider each stage of the lifecycle and the alternatives to reduce that impact. For example, choosing a plant-based or natural fabric that’s free from toxic chemicals can return to the earth after it’s no longer wanted. The emissions generated from manufacturing our clothes make up nearly 80 per cent of a garment throughout its lifecycle, so more attention needs to be paid to the facilities where our clothes are made — do they use renewable energy or coal? Do
they have a wastewater treatment plan, or are they illegally dumping toxins into nearby waterways? And they need to make less clothing so that what they do make sells through and doesn’t end up going into the landfill. Brands need to adopt more circular business models such as repair and reuse as well.
What do you think the future of fashion will look like? Innovation and technology are huge drivers of sustainability, and I think this will only grow over the next five years — from traceability apps that allow a brand to find out where their clothes are made to bio-based materials. I also think circularity will play a much bigger role as more brands are starting to explore repair and resale business models.
Publisher: Chloe Zinn Business Development Manager: Sarah Ferreira Country Manager: Nina Theodorlis Content & Production Manager: Raymond Fan Designer: Kylie Armishaw Lead Editor: Karthik Talwar All images are from Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve The National Post or its editorial departments. Send all inquiries to ca.editorial@mediaplanet.com.
@MediaplanetCA
facebook.com/TrueNorthLivingCA
Please recycle