Reflecting on the Eco-Fashion Industry

If I were a fashion designer, and I was environmentally conscious, the question that would cross my mind is that if open up my own fashion business, should I make it sustainable? There would be a lot of pros and cons for me to open up my own business that would be sustainable.

First off, the cons would be that it would cost more money to be sustainable. Even though I promote environmental companies and issues on the blog, I still do have to give the facts. The second problem, which is tied to the first, is the overhead will cost more to have pay workers, and also my brand will be expensive as well. The third is finding the niche, which even in the eco-fashion industry, is incredibly difficult to do.

The pros are that my product will be less harmful to the environment, and I feel good about growing my business out of Vancouver. I will also be able to do good for the BC economy because most of  my products will be from BC , it will be good for the environment, and I could make a solid buck out of it as well. Finally, I would not have let go of my passion, and my empathy for the environment to make a profit.

Here is what some local eco-fashion companies said about regular fashion business vs. an eco fashion business, and why they made their business eco-fashion.

Melissa from Adhesif Clothing said that “Sustainability is the way of the future and the creative process is much less mundane”, and also that “I run my business with moralistic value and I practice sustainable solutions to the production process.”

Dandelion Kids  said that, “Sustainability is all around us, and we need to appreciate the environment a lot more than we currently do”, and also “I personally like to support local businesses, in order to give everyone a better life here in BC.”

Written By: Inderpal Brar

Interview with Adhesif Clothing- Melissa

We also recently spoke with Melissa from Adhesif Clothing. This is our interview with her.

Tell us about your company?
Adhesif Clothing is a Vancouver, BC clothing company that produces handmade memorable one-of-a-kind garments. Each up-cycled piece is made with up to 95% vintage & reclaimed materials & 100% heart, a truly well thought out process made by designer Melissa Ferreira. Every article of clothing has it's very own distinctive personality with a visual array of eclectic prints & color compositions. The result brings a striking presentation of polished yet playful pieces that are also Eco friendly.

How did you get started?
My mother worked in garment production factories in Montreal throughout my childhood. I grew up with her sewing at the kitchen table after work and doing alterations for extra money. Naturally I learned how to sew from her. I taught myself how to design from taking apart vintage garments and seeing how they were put together, after spending many years as a vintage clothing buyer out of high school . I love everything vintage and it remains to this day my main source of inspiration. Vintage clothing, music, buildings, cars, appliances...they have all withstood the test of time because things were built to last and because they’ve lasted the pieces leave behind a legacy with abundant stories to tell. I have been in and out of retail/fashion related jobs my whole life. I started Adhesif Clothing in 2003, opened my own boutique in 2010 and never looked back. Upward and onward...

What was your vision and drive to start this company?
Being from a Portuguese heritage has given me a huge appreciation for European traditions like homemade/handmade goods and the story that goes along with the process. I have always admired quality over quantity for this reason. I feel that the objects we surround ourselves with in life should be cherished for not just function but sentimentality also. With this same mentality, I strive to create pieces that tell stories and have a heartbeat and are made to withstand years of wear. I was raised to never waste what was given to me as a child for a lot of others in this world have much less. This has made me a resourceful person able to promote a waste not want not mentality with everything I do. In my opinion much of what transpires in the Western World is quite wasteful. I hope the underlying message behind my up cycled clothing line & zero waste process can inspire others to feel like there are alternatives for a healthier world.

Why did you get into eco-fashion vs regular fashion?
Sustainability is the way of the future and the creative process is much less mundane.

How is an eco-fashion business run vs regular fashion business?
I run my business with moralistic value and I practice sustainable solutions to the production process being that all of my reclaimed materials are sourced locally & most everything I create is handmade.
Because I am a small independent run business I have the ability to have a thought process in my decisions and over thought process. It really makes sense to support your local artisan/local business.
From what I can see with big box chains the only thought process is making billions off of the less fortunate and exploiting them with little pay and poor conditions so that people in the Western World can have the latest & greatest fashion trends. The worst part about creating poorly made items is that there is no longevity in the garments which makes them destined for the landfill almost as quickly as they were made.

What tips would you give to a fashion designer or someone who is
interested in a similar industry
You know what? I get asked this all the time and I've gone off on long rants in the past. As someone who's self taught the best advice I can give is this. There are no right or wrong answers. Be prepared to make a lot of sacrifices, and mostly you'll need to work your little behind off...constantly so you better be passionate about what you're doing! Get your work/yourself out there and create your own
opportunities. The rest will fall into place in time.

Do you advise individuals who are aspiring to go into this industry to
go to fashion school/get a degree in a related subject?
Not everyone is suited for being self taught. Some people need guidance. Knowledge is power so I guess it doesn't hurt. Above all schooling I definitely recommend anyone look to open their own business to take a small business course.

What direction do you think this industry is going in?
Over the last 10 years I've seen some major progression from businesses both fashion related and non which have been introducing “green” option which is a good sign. Everyone seems to jumping on the bandwagon, so to speak. I think it's even more important than ever for consumers to do their homework and find out the back end of businesses of who is really walking the walk and talking the talk. Supporting local in my mind is a win win usually for reasons already mentioned.

Are there any internships/positions available for college students?

 Not currently

Any other comments?
Please review my blog for previous posts on related topics http://adhesifclothing.blogspot.ca/

Special thanks to Melissa for taking part in this interview. Check out her blog as well! Also, here is a link to her website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed. 

Interview with Dandelion Kids- Eco-Fashion

Dandelion Kids is a company that specializes in eco-fashion for children. This is our interview with them

Tell us about your company?- 

Dandelion kids has been around for about 10 years. I have had the store for 5 years. We tend to focus on the little things, such as organic toys and clothing for kids. Our goal is to provide affordable organic and fair-trade clothing for kids

How did you get started?

This company started within conversation. Getting a store that sells decent stuff. There were lots of kids stores, with lower price items, but their quality was not great or environmentally-friendly.


What was your vision and drive to start this company?

No true goal in mind. To help with the environment as well as go with the flow!


Why did you get into eco-fashion vs regular fashion?

I think the environment is definitely important. Sustainability is all around us, and we need to appreciate the environment a lot more than we currently do.


How is an eco-fashion business run vs regular fashion business?-

The biggest problem is the price. Organic products are more expensive, but better quality. We get products that are locally and organic made. Producer to customer should be the way that business is conducted. I personally like to support local businesses, in order to give everyone a better life here in BC.

What tips would you give to a fashion designer or someone who is interested in a similar industry-

Get together with other designers and network! Make cheap, affordable clothing that is good for the environment!

Do you advise individuals who are aspiring to go into this industry to go to fashion school/get a degree in a related subject?-

It is necessary to go to school. You need to build the foundation first. After, then you can do it your own way.

What direction do you think this industry is going in?

It will be a big market down the road. After the country realizes the importance of the environment, it will have a big boost.

Are there any internships/positions available for college students?

Currently, we have no openings for internships or paid positions. We mainly like to hire people who knows how to deal with kids. 

Special thanks to Dandelion Kids for the Interview!

Website: 

http://www.dandelionkids.ca/

How Eco-Fashion is on the Rise

Up until this point, we have discussed what Eco-Fashion is, the opportunities in British Columbia, and the differences between Eco-Fashion and regular fashion. Today, we’re going to discuss why Eco-Fashion is on the rise. As people become more aware of sustainable practices and issues involving the environment, the curtain towards how many companies operate has been revealed more and more. As shown in previous articles, the fashion industry has not been innocent in terms of damaging the environment. Eco-Fashion has allowed for more environmentally-conscious clothing, as well as clothing that is sustainable and potentially more durable in the long-run.

Innovation has been another by-product of a rising Eco-Fashion industry. As we speak, many new materials are being used to make clothing, in order to prevent damage to the environment. “CRAiLAR is an eco-friendly alternative to cotton that is just as soft and durable, but created using flax, which needs far fewer pesticides to grow” [1]. CRAiLAR has become more prominent as eco-fashion has grown and has become a more environmentally-friendly source. Another type of fabric is Milk Fabric. This type of fabric “...is breathable and is soft and smooth on the skin. The fibre is created by drying fermented milk, which is then combined with natural ingredients to make yarn.” [2]. There are many other fabrics that are being used which make this industry become more and more innovative, as Eco-Fashion continues to grow. This shows that industry trends are pointed upwards, and the opportunities for eco-fashion in the multi-billion dollar fashion industry are definitely prominent.

After reading these articles, I hope you have a greater understanding and appreciation of Eco-Fashion, and maybe to look into reading the labels on your clothes to see the potential harmful effects that can come from your own clothing. Eco-Fashion is on the rise, and it’s a great industry to jump into, especially while it's still a relatively new concept. If you are interested in entering the industry, there are many resources available to you as well, especially here in British Columbia.


Written by: Shaun Kular


[1] http://www.shopecofashion.ca/blogs/news/8487029-innovative-eco-fabrics-that-are-on-the-rise
[2] ibid.

How the Fashion Industry can damage the Environment

The fashion industry is one of the most harmful industries against the environment. I personally did not know, prior to my research, the things that I wear such as my shoes, my shirts and my jeans can have such a major effect on the Environment. The fashion industry has damaged the environment in many ways. As I type this blog and I look at my dad’s new dress shirt, I wonder the effects it has caused on the environment. I am assuming the cotton that my dad’s shirt has pesticides that will “substantially cause water pollution and land pollution.”[1] The colour of my dad’s shirt is a bright green, which could be because they used, “chemicals from toxic dyes”. Also , I want to mention the human effect from my dad’s shirt that has potentially been made by underpaid workers in toxic environments. When my dad paid for the shirt, he just helped that factory still get away with de-regulating the workplace, and underpaying the workers. Also, who knows the harm that my dad’s clothes have had on animals and species in those environments. One piece of clothing can have a major effect on the environment, and we need to be aware of that to help prevent the damage that occurs from it.


Written by: Inderpal Brar


[1] http://www.treehugger.com/style/green-fashion-7-reasons-why-you-should-care-about-sustainable-fashion.html

Interview with Prof. Stephen Collis- Kinder Morgan Pipeline

Thank you to the BROKE group for inviting us to the Rally against the Kinder Morgan Expansion on September 13th, 2014. This event was a great launching pad for residents, activists, and political leaders who all opposed the Kinder Morgan pipeline. During the event, we were pleased to have interviewed MP Kennedy Stewart of Burnaby-Douglas, Mayor of Burnaby Derek Corrigan and Professor Stephen Collis. We are really excited to meet these three people. Here are the interviews.

Stephen Collis is a professor of English at Simon Fraser University


1) Why are you here today?

Stephen Collis: I’m the organizer and MC of this event. I am actively concerned about the future, and know about the reality of climate change. The pipeline is a massive issue, and I want to bring awareness to as many people as I possibly can.

2) What few words would you give to Burnaby residents regarding the pipeline?
Stephen Collis: It’s a local threat. All pipelines spill at one point or another. This will impact our community on a massive scale. We need to all be concerned about the future. In the next 50-60 years, a lot can change, especially in a negative manner. It’s time that we think about the children, instead of leaving the problems for them, because negative and irreversible changes will happen

3) What do you think of Renewable Energy?
Stephen Collis: Renewable energy is definitely feasible. We have no other option but to focus on it right now

Special thanks to Stephen Collis for taking part in this interview, and we hope to continue to collaborate with BROKE and members of the Burnaby Community for the foreseeable future!

Interview with Mayor Derek Corrigan- Kinder Morgan Pipeline

Thank you to the BROKE group for inviting us to the Rally against Kinder Morgan event on September 13th, 2014. This event was a great launching pad for residents, activists, and political leaders who all opposing the Kinder Morgan pipeline. During the event, we were pleased to have interviewed MP Kennedy Stewart of Burnaby-Douglas , Mayor of Burnaby Derek Corrigan and Professor Stephen Collis. We are really excited to meet these three people. Here are the interviews.

Derek Corrigan is the Mayor of Burnaby!

1) Why are you here today?
Derek Corrigan: I’m here to support the BROKE anti-pipeline rally. Want to be sure that we all support them and explain our position. Also, we want to show the obstacles that are faced by politicians because of this ongoing dilemma

2) What few words would you give to Burnaby residents regarding the pipeline?
Derek Corrigan: This simply isn’t just an issue as a pipeline. There are problems with the holding capacity of tank farms. If a fire occurs, it will spread to all of Burnaby Mountain, and nothing can stop it. We would have to let it burn out. Also, tankers in inlet could cause extreme devastation, and it will be only a matter of time before it happens.

3) What do you think of Renewable Energy?
Derek Corrigan: It seems intentional, or even a conspiracy by companies to prevent renewable energy. There are lots of options. Not getting interest by the major companies. Renewable energy is viable now, but nobody will care until the oil runs out. We need to be concerned now!

Thanks to Mayor Corrigan for taking part in this interview!