Day two at Eco-Fashion Week with Farah and Jess! On today’s agenda, we have Thrift Chic Challenge participant Claire Bouvier. For those who don’t know, the Thrift Chic Challenge asks three designers every season to showcase a collection of thrifted finds from Value Village.
What do you get when you mix four girls in retro chic glasses, a giant plate of nachos and boots filled with Gin Mountain cocktails at The Pint Public House? You get an entertaining and silly night out with eco-designer Claire Bouvier.
Rolling down the streets of Vancouver with three massive suitcases full of chic vintage clothing, we were quite the sight to see! To anyone that asked, Claire casually said that we were a rock band filming a music video; this was just another day in the life.
We hit the town with her dressed in 50s style glasses, a fluffy white toque, your grandmother’s gloves, and vibrant yellow leg warmers to keep warm while staying chic—the ultimate mix of form and function. Claire is fearless when styling both her own outfits and her Thrift Chic Challenge Collection. She brings fun and flare onto the runway, pushing the boundaries of fashion while paying attention to every detail. She used the hanger from her logo as a hairpiece for the models and styled them in 1920s vintage style. Can you say throwback to your granny’s sexy not stuffy style?
Sitting down with Claire, we were eager to learn where such a confident and outgoing personality came from.
Growing up in a big family Claire always received hand-me-down clothing from her sisters. She soon discovered that she could restyle these used pieces and make them into something original. It was clothing that made her feel unique and allowed her to harness her individuality.
Every thrifter has one piece that stands out from the rest. For Claire this favorite find is a plaid jacket. She told us about a time when she was out with friends and had her photo taken by a random blogger. Little did she know that two years later the photograph would resurface on a ‘What Not To Wear” forum. Looking back at that photo, Claire laughs and says, “I still love that jacket!”
Always being asked, “what are you wearing Claire?” she learnt to not give a shit and wore what made her feel empowered. What started as another one of her mother’s crafty Saturday projects, unexpectedly turned into an eco-friendly lifestyle and the birth of “The Claire Closet” (CC).
As the founder of “The Claire Closet,” Claire keeps busy in Kingston, Ontario. This project creates a safe space for young women to express themselves through fashion and teaches them about eco-art and sustainability. It all began with a business competition during Claire’s undergraduate degree in art at Acadia University. Claire thought it was a long shot for her to win going up against business students but, surprisingly enough, she won!
With a big smile on her face, she was able to fund her project and help girls gain confidence in a fun-filled, creative environment. After graduation, she was unsure of how to make her project a reality. She decided to pursue teaching while never losing her passion for “The Claire Closet.” Combing two passions, she began creating runway shows at the high school she was teaching at. The students showcased their own thrifted creations and discovered their inner fashionista. These CC girls that emerged out of this project were fierce, fearless and fabulous!
Today, “The Claire Closet” has become something greater than Claire could have ever dreamt. She was extremely humbled to receive an invitation to be showcased at Vancouver’s Eco-Fashion Week Season Seven and we couldn’t be more excited to have met her! She is making a huge impact on her community and hopes to inspire CC girls on the West Coast. We had a blast getting to know the real woman behind the Claire Closet. Next round’s on us Claire!
Find out more about “The Claire Closet” on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.