4 local, slow canadian fashion brands to consider supporting
written by erin smith
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has hit small-businesses harder than ever before while big name companies have continued to profit.
I, myself have taken this time to self-reflect and reevaluate my personal consumption habits. I’ve made it part of my mission to use my voice for change while influencing others to create transformation through their buying power.
So, in this post I’ll be recognizing some local, slow Canadian fashion brands that focus on sustainability by making it their mission to give back to the earth and those who play a part in making the clothes.
what is sustainability?
There isn’t one clear definition of the word sustainability -- it means something different to everyone.
But with that being said, Fashion Revolution, (a global movement made up of people such as designers, business leaders, policymakers and fashion lovers who make the fashion industry work) defines sustainability as,
“Finding solutions that will help to move their own business forward without over stretching the planet’s resources and with respect for artisans and garment workers who craft and stitch their collections.
There are 3 key points to keep in mind as we evaluate each one of these brands and their business models, as well as the practices that they currently have in place to abide by these restrictions:
Sustainability
Quality, and
Transparency
With those in mind I’ve compiled a series of questions to ask each of these brands. The goal here is to dig below the surface to see what it is about each brand that makes them a leading force in the industry (and worth supporting!).
These questions are:
what is it that really sets your brand apart from others?
what materials are your products made of?
who makes your clothes?
what are your values and the overall style of your brand?
hernest project
+ what is it that really sets your brand apart from others?
Their mission statement is pretty straight-forward, “to use innovation and creativity to accelerate the sustainable fashion movement.” This is made possible by the team at hernest project who work towards creating effortlessly comfortable sleep and loungewear essentials by using premium, sustainable fabrics and transparent practices to make you feel good.
Initially, when I emailed hernest project to see if they would be interested in partnering up, I started the email with the question, “What is it that really sets your brand apart from others?” I think this is such an important question because with the growth and popularity of social media we’re often bombarded with new up and coming brands - so much that it can be overwhelming.
It can also be rather difficult to navigate our way around companies to see whether their values align with ours!
Their founder Cassandra Osborn answered with the following response,
“I believe this type of work sets us apart. The term sustainability is so misused and goes much deeper than fabric and ethical sewing – although that is the best place to start. Supply chains are so complex and it’s very hard for most businesses to trace all the way back to the seed. Also, “fair” or “living” wages is a vague term and subject to interpretation. Overall, we need better public education on all of this, so I love that more and more people like you are writing articles.”
+ what materials are your products made of?
You can be rest-assured that the kinds of textiles they use to produce their clothing are free from harmful dyes and chemicals. hernest project uses TencelTM Lyocell fibers which are, “produced by environmentally responsible processes from the sustainably sourced natural raw material wood.”
What I think is so nice about this material is that surprisingly it’s said to be more absorbent than cotton, softer than silk, and offers natural hygiene. Win, win win.
Something else that we as consumers should take into account when purchasing something is the packaging a company uses to ship our item(s). The hernest project uses earth friendly packaging — that are 100% reusable, home compostable, renewable and easily recycled.
Another thing I think is so great about this brand is that they’re working towards creating open communication between their customers and professionals on how to recycle, re-use and compost any relevant packaging.
An important takeaway to consider after reading this article is to ask yourself before throwing anything away, “is there is a better alternative to this?”
+ who makes your clothes?
hernest project is a catalyst for supporting the change for workers. This is actively being done by researching fair labour practices in order to assess current downstream wages of the supply chain to efficiently identify any gaps and areas for improvement.
In order to achieve this, they plan to ensure 100% living wages in their supply chain, by developing specific targets for wage transparency and gender pay equity.
They also make a conscious effort to go above and beyond supporting causes such as diversity, equity and inclusion within the workplace by evaluating representation of workers and assess supplier practices increasing diversity.
+ what are your values and the overall style of your brand?
I am left speechless at the level of openness and transparency across the board. hernest project has truly opened my eyes to what a sustainable fashion brand can and should look like. With a concrete framework surrounding the planet, people, product and advocacy with actionable next steps.
Follow the hernest project on Instagram
arráei
+ what is it that really sets your brand apart from others?
All the garments from the Arráei Collective are produced locally in Vancouver, Canada. Purchasing from this brand is more than just buying from a slow fashion company!
P.s. if you’re unfamiliar with the term slow fashion it means buying clothes that are made to last a lifetime, while respecting our planet and the people that inhabit it. It’s a way for us to connect with the earth – to go back to nature and be rooted in conscious lifestyle.
Arráeis’ vision is to harmonize humanity and the planet, by facilitating the union of responsible thought with action, and providing a way for people to connect with ethically and sustainably made products that uplift and empower humanity.
+ what materials are your products made of?
Arráei uses a ‘closed loop’ economy approach, which is restorative and regenerative by design. It’s an alternative to the current linear economy (make, use, dispose).
Instead, resources are kept in cycle until the maximum usage value is reached, after which restoration of the resource occurs, allowing for a regenerative model that redefines growth and focuses on positive global impact.
Fabrics are certified with either GOTS or OEKO-TEX.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the world’s leading textile processing standard when it comes to organic fibres. It defines high-level environmental criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain and requires compliance with social criteria. GOTS certification covers the whole textile process which includes fair labour practices and the assurance that there are no known toxic substances used as part of the manufacturing process and therefore safe for humans.
The STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX is a worldwide consistent, independent testing and certification system for raw, semi-finished, and finished textile products at all processing levels, as well as accessory materials used.
Some of the materials that Arráei uses are:
Hemp:
plant is extremely hardy and resilient to pests, which eliminates the need and use of harmful chemical pesticides
high yielding plant which reaches maturity within 100-120 days, reaching the heights of up to 4.5m. This hemp uses considerably less resources such as water, land and fertilizers to cultivate and grow
therefore, a plant that naturally partners with organic growing practices – making its environmental footprint insignificant compared to that of other fibers
naturally UV resistant, water absorbent and breathable
hemp bacteria and mold resistant, which keeps hemp odour free
strongest and most durable natural textiles – exceptionally long-life cycle
Linen:
all natural, eco-friendly fiber made from the flax plant, if left it will completely biodegrade returning as a nutrient to the soil
one of the strongest fibers making it last a lifetime
unique properties that adapt to the body’s needs; in the summer linen allows air to pass through fiber, keeping you cool and fresh. In the winter (much like hemp) it acts as an insulator maintaining the body’s warm temperature
+ who makes your clothes?
Like I mentioned above, all garments are made locally in Vancouver, Canada. This is possible with the help of a small team of sewers to ensure that they are paid fair wages and work in adherence with fair trade principles.
These practises ensure a good relationship with each member of their team, which in return helps them to ensure that each and every garments’ quality is impeccable.
+ what are your values and the overall style of your brand?
I think that there are two words that best describe the overall style of Arráei. Those two words would be effortless + versatile.
I think an Arráei woman embodies confidence through graceful self-expression, knowing that she is in harmony with herself and the planet.
Follow the arráei collective on Instagram
bellantoni
+ what is it that really sets your brand apart from others?
“Dress Well, Be Kind”
Bellantoni believes in small batch production or “made to order.” Alice James, founder of StartUp Fashion wrote an article titled, How to Produce Small Batch Production. Where she describes small batch production as “producing under 500 units per style. In traditional fashion production, 1000 units is an industry standard for an MOQ (minimum order quantity).”
Some of the pros associated with small batch manufacturing are:
it minimizes your risk of producing inventory sizes, colours or products that won’t sell
it allows you to test different products and try more styles while you learn what your customer likes
you have less inventory to house and physically manage
Something else that I think makes shopping at Bellantoni a bang for your buck is that they have implemented a modular design to how they run their business and produce their clothing. This means a garment can be worn 2+ ways which allows for a more sustainable lifestyle (it creates a longer lifespan for the garment, multi-dimensional functionality and added value).
+ what materials are your products made of?
Bellantoni uses certified organic textiles, Tencel, toxic-free dyes and reclaimed / pre-consumer waste.
Tencel fabric, like mentioned before, is made from eucalyptus wood pulp – wood chips are processed, spun and woven into fabric, and while there are some solvents used to turn the pulp into yarn, it is made in a closed loop process where the treated water keeps being reused.
Reclaimed / pre-consumer waste is very valuable because it allows designers to incorporate any fabrics that are unused and leftover after being cut for production in their clothes.
The founder of Bellantoni works closely with other designers, companies, students and even home sewers to collect these materials and reuse them for her designs. Most importantly, she partners with local jobbers, such as FABCYCLE, to purchase these fabrics.
FABCYCLE is a collection service of textile waste. They work directly with local apparel manufacturers like factories, fashion designers and schools to collect the scraps, off-cuts, dead stock and sends of rolls that are left during the apparel production process and reuse or recycle what they cannot use. Their mission is to divert textile waste from the landfill by finding solutions, promoting the sustainable mindset of waste as a resource.
+ who makes your clothes?
Garments are designed, drafted and hand-made in Vancouver by the designer, local pattern makers and seamstresses. This is extremely important to note because producing locally reduces the amount of travel-time throughout their supply chains and better yet helps the local industry immensely. Plus, this enables them to be a part of the entire design and manufacturing process to ensure best practices are being made.
Bellantoni also started the Re Nu Project which is a zero-waste initiative. It’s primarily aimed to (re)define the new(nu) by giving life to textile waste and old clothing through upcycling and using fabric scraps. This is made possible throughout all three levels of production - pre-consumer waste, zero waste design, and post-consumer waste.
Here’s how:
During the pre-consumer phase, textile waste often accumulates from manufacturing clothing. The designer will use 2D patterns strategically laid across a flattened pile of fabric but with this usually comes small, oddly shaped pieces of fabric that are used and made into either pet beds or ‘fabric scrap embroidery.’
To help eliminate any additional waste Bellantoni makes sure to use every square yardage of the fabric.
With the rise of fast fashion in the early 2010’s, people were buying clothing and either throwing them out or donating them after only a few wears. Thrift shops have been over-inundated with clothing, and often times they are shipped to third-world counties, who also don’t need so much clothing. So, Bellantoni has made it part of their mission to practice upcycling for various items. P.s. Upcycling means the “reuse (discarded objects or material) in such a way as to create a product of higher quality or value than the original!”
+ what are your values and the overall style of your brand?
Bellantoni’s website is vast with an abundance amount of information ranging from their take on sustainability, their story and even a blog where they share tips and tricks to living a more sustainable lifestyle and why we should care more.
Bellantoni takes responsibility of the waste that comes with each garment’s production and ensures that they reuse the scraps to create small accessories for their customers as well as pet beds for animals. This brand allows you to look good and do good at the same time.
Follow bellantoni designs on Instagram
aleur
+ what is it that really sets your brand apart from others?
Aleur is a sustainable loungewear company that provides comfortable clothing made with natural fabrics. They empower their clients to feel confident and beautiful while doing the most at home, office, or just about anywhere.
They are proud to offer sustainable, eco-friendly, and ethically made alternatives to fast-fashion. All orders are designed and made to order in Montréal.
+ what kinds of materials are your products made of?
Overall, Aleur uses organic cotton, linen and silk to make their garments. Aleur sources overstock fabrics in order to reduce industry textile waste. This conserves energy and reduces the carbon footprint that would’ve been expended on producing new fabric.
In order to achieve as much minimal waste as possible Aleur uses certain tactics to curve their level of output. For example, they cut, arrange and cut out pieces thoughtfully to create less waste. Also, they work to use the leftover fabric scraps for alternative production like scrunchies or dust bags.
They believe in small batch production as an essential part in preventing overproduction waste and release small collections so that each release is thoughtful and considerate of its place in this world.
Lastly, Aleur uses upcycling as, “a way of processing an item to make it better than the original. For example, with clothing, this is often taking something that doesn’t fit or is stained/torn and refashioning a wearable product from it.” – Beth Stewart
Aleur will shop at huge warehouses in the old textile sector of Montréal to find cool overstock fabric that would otherwise be burned. They also use deadstock fabrics that are perfect for small batch production, as they only need about 40m to create a few ranges of garments.
+ who makes your clothes?
Aleur is a proud supporter of local production. All of their clothing is hand-crafted in Montréal. It is only when they receive large shop orders, that they reach out to local artisans to take on some of their production. This helps to create more jobs for the local community and help revive the textile industry within their premises.
+ what are your values and the overall style of your brand?
Al Hutter, the designer of Aleur, did an interview with Elle Canada just back in February of this year. When she was asked to describe her style, she said that “When it comes to my style, I’m most inspired by airport lounges, Parisian cafés, and Danish skate parks; you might call it Scandinavian-romantic.”
She is drawn to natural fibres and flattering fits. Her style and the designs that she has in mind for Aleur are the perfect balance for wanting something practical and functional for everyday but assertive enough to help get the job done.
Make sure to check out Aleur’s YouTube channel to get an inside look at the secretive side of the fashion industry. There she will teach you how to sew small batch production from 1-50 pieces, what jobs she’s contracted out and why, and how to price handmade products and so much more!
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about the author
Hi friends! My name is Erin Smith and I just recently moved to Toronto, Canada. I moved to the city in pursue of a career in modelling full-time. However, due to the nature of the pandemic I have not had as many opportunities to meet with my agency or attend auditions/castings as I would like.
Since moving out on my own it has provided me with time to reflect on what it is that I want to get out of my life, ultimately my purpose. As much as I love modelling and fashion, I also love helping others. I thought to myself what could be better than using my platform to share my experiences and raise awareness about issues that matter to me.
You guessed it, one of those issues is sustainability within the fashion industry. My goal is to shine a light on the work being done to prevent the destruction of the planet and the people that are falling victim to it. To diminish the darkness and greed within the top of the supply chain so that moving forward as citizens we are more conscious about the decisions we are making and who is benefiting most.
Make sure to follow me on my socials (Instagram and YouTube) to come along this sustainable journey with me and everything in between <3
