Stylish Sustainable Fashion Is Alive, Well & In a City Near You
Gone are the days when sustainable fashion meant that we had to sacrifice looking good in order to maintain our commitment to sustainability.
All across Canada, designers, brands and retailers are rising to the challenge of making sustainability stylish, and we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite selections for going green – in style:
Halifax: Orphanage Clothing
Designer Kim Munson believes strongly that there is just too much waste in the world. Each of her cool, edgy designs – made using post-consumer, deconstructed clothing – are unique and special. http://www.orphanageclothing.com/
Montreal: atelier b
Roommates Catherine Métivier and Anne-Marie Laflamme make up atelier b, a sophisticatedly minimalist fashion line inspired by sustainable, local, innovative production. Each new collection has a story behind it. http://www.atelier-b.ca/en
Montreal: advika
Advika makes looking good and feeling comfortable a sustainable choice with their clothing line inspired by and designed for the urban, active lifestyle. http://advikaclothing.com/
Toronto: Preloved (middle image, courtesy of Preloved and photographer Ian Martins)
Our list wouldn’t be complete without a shout-out to Preloved, one of the original Canadian gurus of repurposed clothing. Preloved has gained international recognition for their one-of-a-kind designs. http://www.getpreloved.com/
Toronto: Thieves (image on left, courtesy of Thieves, from their zennomad.ca collection)
Like an urban camouflage, the design of Thieves’ brooding, urban clothing emerges from a desire to make clothing just as much a part of the city as it is a part of the person who wears it. Very cool clothes. http://www.thieves.ca/small.html
Toronto: Local Buttons
Local Buttons believes the fashion industry is broken – but they are doing something about it! Based in Toronto, this sustainable fashion company’s clothing is manufactured in Haiti by tailors they train and care for in safe, ethical working conditions. http://www.localbuttons.ca/
Winnipeg: Voila! by Andréanne (image featured on right, courtesy of Voila by Andréanne)
Voila! by Andréanne offers practical and chic 100% Métis Canadian clothing, designed and produced in Canada using ethical materials. As an added bonus, many of their designs incorporate Aboriginal art. http://voilaandreanne.com/
Calgary: Studio Intent
Although not specifically focused on sustainability in terms of philosophy, Studio Intent focuses on Canadian-made designs from designers across the country. Explore independent Canadian designers all in one place! http://studiointent.ca/
Edmonton: Malorie Urbanovitch
Malorie’s sophisticated clothing designs are focused on “slow” fashion; her goal is to create essential clothing that lasts beyond trends, made using ethical products. http://www.malorie.ca/
Vancouver: Nicole Bridger
Embrace your individuality with Nicole Bridger’s exquisite collection of feminine designs that make looking good feel comfortable. http://nicolebridger.com/
Vancouver: Nice Shoes
Don’t forget your feet! Nice Shoes in Vancouver carries an extensive line of completely vegan footwear and more. https://niceshoes.ca/
