Day three at Eco Fashion Week with Farah and Jess! We have to say that this sit-down with Trisha Rampersad took us by surprise; we didn’t think we’d be so moved by a designer after chatting for only a little bit! Her outlook on life and positive energy were so contagious that we couldn’t help feeling like Aphrodite and Athena, about to take on the modern world.
elemental colours and flowing fabrics
BHANA designer Trisha Rampersad explained that we all have an inner god or goddess inside of us and that the journey through life is about evolution—not only one evolution, but numerous ongoing evolutions that propel us through the stages of our lives.
From fitted to flowing, BHANA designs exemplify what it means to be a goddess.
Beginning with the purity of the earth, we all find our bearings. We build foundations and once we’re comfortable we begin to grow. We spread our wings upwards, towards a purer expression of ourselves and get closer to our inner god or goddess. Gaining confidence, we begin to realize the person we are meant to be. This process of evolution is what Trisha is learning throughout her own life and what she tries to convey through her designs.
Trisha’s dream became a reality when BHANA Designs was born in 2008. After graduating from the Art Institute of Vancouver in 2007, she decided to embrace sustainable fabrics by creating a clothing line that celebrates eco-friendly fashion. Her biggest inspiration was her grandfather who always looked prim and proper, no matter the occasion. She pays respect to his legacy by maintaining high quality fashion while being eco-friendly and using recycled fabrics.
Bringing her philosophy of evolution onto the runway, Trisha took us through a journey at this seasons’ show. What began as gray, green and blue earthy tones transformed into a pastel wonderland showcasing her evolution of colour. She began with simple, loose fitting dresses that were tied at the waist with a neutral belt. As the show continued she featured her signature blazers with satin-detailed skirts. Concluding the show with pure grace and elegance, her models looked like goddesses in flowing dresses. White, gold, and rich blues dominated these final styles and showed a completed change from the first pieces. With some garments flowing, and others fitted, Trisha blew us away with her diverse designs.
So what does the future hold for this talented designer? Well, Trisha admitted to us that she’s thinking about designing wedding gowns. She also confessed to wanting to go back to designing mens clothing, paying tribute to her grandfather.
Helping pioneer the world of sustainable fashion, Trisha Rampersad hopes to one day put a dent in high-end fashion. Staying true to her sophisticated look, we anticipate only greatness from Trisha in her future endeavors.
The newest issue of Sad Mag (available now!) features the work of two fantastically talented photographers, Martina + Reem, who joined forces to create the cover featuring Jessica Kruger. Shooting for MAC Cosmetics, Elite Model Agencies, and Flare magazine events, this duo has many reputable collaborations under their belt. With a passion for fine arts and fashion, Martina + Reem create an unimaginably whimsical fantasy in each of their photos. For them, every piece contains its own story and leaves an everlasting emotion that resonates with the viewer. Going back to their roots shooting film for this project, a choice that initially caused anxiety, ultimately rewarded them with a stunning result.
We had the pleasure of getting a coffee with Martina + Reem to discuss their photography, Sad Mag, and all things mystical.
Martina + Reem always manage to capture something fantastical.
Sad Mag: Tell us a bit about yourselves. How did you two decide to collaborate?
Martina + Reem: I think it was when we were attending Van Arts. We would be shooting in the studio, and we would overlap our timeslots… a lot. We would work together; one would assist the other when they’re shooting and vice versa. We noticed that there were a lot of shoots that we worked really well together. We kind of like a similar style. We did have our own styles before, but now its combined into one style. We have a lot of similarities. We love to work with layers and textures, and even feelings you get in the photos. We enjoy working together. And we’re best friends, so it works out.
SM: What’s your favourite subject to photograph?
MR: That’s a hard question! There are so many beautiful things to photograph. We love everything! We would say we specialize in fashion and fine arts. But honestly, we were just talking about doing a product shoot the other day.
SM: Why did you choose to use film for the cover and not digital photography?
MR: Well, it was a long time ago that we shot in film. We were actually so nervous about the shoot! It was a hard decision, but it kind of reminded us of how amazing film is. Now, we’re talking about how we should shoot more in film.
SM: Tell us about your experience photographing for Sad Mag?
MR: Shooting the cover was great. There was so much responsibility! We shot the cover, and the majority of the story inside. We also had a super early start, at 6 am because we had to get into the conservatory. Overall, the shoot took eight hours for the full day. We try to minimize when using digital, but with film, there’s no need to shoot a million pictures of the same thing. It’s scary! I think every shoot we get nervous. It just shows we love what we do, and we want it to look really, really good!
SM: If you could choose the ultimate subject, be it a person, nature, or a feeling, to photograph, what would it be?
MR: Wow that’s a big question. Maybe something in outer space. Since we have no budget. Somehow bring the water element into it. How about Audrey Hepburn, underwater, in outer space. With a unicorn.
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.
Claire Bouvier is not only the founder of "The Claire Closet," but she is also a fabulous designer.
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).
Claire's collection at Eco Fashion Week featured thrifted finds.
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!
On October 7, Sad Mag writers Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy went on assignment for Vancouver’s Eco-Fashion Week for their second season. With the excitement of one season under their belt, they approached the five day melange of events with the a passion to find out more, network, and deepen their understanding of the ever-growing eco-fashion lifestyle—something they’ve realized is not a passing trend.
Eco-Fashion Week // P.1
And we’re back! Jess and Farah here reporting from Eco-Fashion Week (EFW) Season Seven at Robson Square! We are so excited to be invited back this year to rub shoulders with Vancouver’s eco-friendly fashion family. Sustainability and going green continue to be buzzwords in Vancouver, showcased by events such as EFW.Last season we learnt about repurposed clothing and sustainable materials, leaving us inspired to be more eco-aware in our daily lives. This season we were greeted by some familiar faces, and had the opportunity to network with many new ones!
Image courtesy Alfonso Arnold and Steven Shepherd
After seeing the list of designers for this season’s runaway shows, we were thrilled that superstar Evan Ducharme was not only tackling the 68 Pound Challenge but was also being profiled prominently at the event. We noticed that his stunning skirt from last season was on display in the showroom and it was also the main image on EFW’s promotional material.
When we arrived to this seasons EFW, we were excited to get our hands on some amazing organic Cono Sur Vineyards wine and tasty Noodlebox. But the fun really started when we were taken backstage to interview Evan Ducharme.
As we entered the hectic world of hairspray, makeup, and beautiful models, we gained a new appreciation for all the hard work that goes into a fashion show.
Ducharme himself was enjoying one last moment of peace getting pampered by La Biosthetique before the show began. We interrupted his moment of serenity, but he didn’t mind when he recognized us as the two crazy girls from last year. With a big smile on his face, we began the interview.
Sad Mag: Last season you featured form-fitting pieces that flattered the female figure. Can we expect to see the same thing this season?
Evan Ducharme: There are definitely some form-fitting pieces in the show. Just recently, my customers wanted something a bit looser, so there will be looser silhouettes as well. I kind of did a reinterpretation of the drop waist from the 1920s. I’ve taken silhouettes from my favourite decades of fashion, the 1920s to the 1950s and given them a 1960s hippie aesthetic. They’re still loose and elegant but have more of an easy sensibility to them.
SM: Did you have any restrictions when creating this line?
ED: I didn’t think of them as restrictions as much as ways to challenge myself design-wise. I set out a strict colour palette of black, white and grey because I knew choosing a particular colour would be impossible to find. Plus, I’ve been feeling a monochromatic look for summer. It’s easy to go bright colours; they scream summer, but something a bit cleaner and streamlined like monochrome are easier to wear in the summertime.
SM: What were your inspirations for this collection?
ED:I started with my favourite decades of fashion and reinterpreted them for the modern woman or man. I took those ideas of clothing and made them more modern and easy for people to wear. I also looked at old images of Coco Chanel and her friends—the way they styled themselves and the main silhouettes or fabrics—I took that idea and wanted to bring it to the catwalk.
Image courtesy Alfonso Arnold and Steven Shepherd
SM:Last time we talked to you were unsure about a mens line, what changed your mind?
ED: I’ve been inspired by menswear. I want to create things that are really unisex so many people can wear them. Then you can share them with your boyfriend or girlfriend and that’ll maximize your wardrobe. Right now people don’t have money to be spending on clothes, and I think designers need to think of the sociology of their customers; what customers need to get out of their clothes, or making things you can share or do many things with.
SM: Will you always work in eco-friendly sustainable fashion?
ED: Definitely. It’s the place for me. I’ve been doing it for quite a long time. I just realized I’ve been working towards becoming a designer for 10 years now. I started sewing when I was 11, now I’m 21.
SM: What is the soundtrack to this collection?
ED: The runway music this year is Blondie and Fleetwood Mac. I was looking for really fun, dance music, with a moody aesthetic. I’m taking the golden age of fashion, and the golden age of music, and morphing them together to make a big story.
On April 21, Sad Mag writers Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy went on assignment for Vancouver’s Eco-Fashion Week with the intent of discovering how fashion—that most of ephemeral and wasteful of pursuits—justifies its involvement in the eco-friendly scene. How do luxury and consumerism co-exist with frugality and restraint? Over the following days, Jess and Farah discovered quite a lot that is new (most of it vintage!) in fashion and the green movement. Part 3 of 3. {Read their first dispatch hereand their second dispatch here}
Interviewing Value Village’s Director of North American supply chain, Anny LeClerc and Director of Marketing, Sara Gaugl, Jess and Farah gather insight into the business of fashion and thrift.
ECO-FASHION ECONOMICS //Eco-Fashion Week // P.3
“One man’s trash, that’s another man’s come-up!”
–Macklemore, ‘Thrift Shop’
Reporting from Blenz on Granville Street, Jess Russell and Farah Tozy here! Today is the first day for the Eco-fashion week runway shows and our stomachs are swarming with butterflies! Arriving an hour early to rehearse our interview questions (and because we are punctuality superstars), we sip on our iced coffees. Nerves are scattered everywhere as we scan the coffee shop hoping to spot our interviewees. At exactly ten in the morning, two women appear with big smiles on their faces: Value Village’s Director of North American supply chain, Anny LeClerc and Director of marketing, Sara Gaugl. All of the butterflies go away since these women are just as excited as us to start the interview.
Where does Value Village stand in the fashion industry?
Sara Gaugl: We [at Value Village] are part of the fashion industry. We just have a different take on how we get our merchandise. Traditional retailers have to be current with seasonal trends, and as consumers, people want what’s new, what’s fresh, what’s on trend. The great thing about our store is you can experiment with new trends.
[All our stock is] second-hand, so we’re not creating new merchandise, [Value Village is] trying to keep product out of waste streams. There’s nothing wrong with purchasing new product. It’s just that for us, when people get tired of new clothes, or if it doesn’t fit, you want a new trend. Our environment is a great place for that. We know that there’s gonna be a front end of the stream, we just happen to be at the end.
We [at Value Village] source our merchandise from non-profit partners. The goods that are donated at our stores are from local consumers, or we purchase our merchandise from local nonprofit. Then local consumers buy our merchandise, so it’s really a great cycle to stay local.
Anny LeClerc: We don’t try to influence seasonal trends, we encourage shoppers to look for treasures and find vintage pieces. Be creative. Add a fresh spin to a current look. Add a vintage piece to a new piece, we have more than a hundred thousand items in our stores, you can really be creative, and that’s all that we’re about.
Do you think Value Village will ever go online?
AL: [Value Village is] all about the experience. The internet takes away from that. [In store] you can buy bed sheets, linens, or tablecloths and be creative. You can’t do that if you just see one item online. [Furthermore] you can walk around easily with our wide aisles and find what you’re looking for.
SG: In the past 60 years, [Value Village has] always been a local community based organization. I don’t see us changing that. We’re very value and selection focused. We put ten thousand new items a day. Three weeks is the maximum we keep merchandise on the floor. If a consumer doesn’t buy it during the first ten days, we relook at that item and say, why isn’t it selling? Did we price it correctly? Did we give it best chance to sell? After three weeks, we responsibly recycle it. We try to keep pushing out as much new merchandise as possible.
Kim Cathers's line Kdon for VEFW 2013
How did you first hear about Kim Cathers?
AL: It’s our third season of EFW and second season with Kim Cathersin collaboration with Value Village. Last season [Cathers] did 68lbs of textiles; anything that she found in the store. She made a dress with a lace tablecloth and some silk bed sheets. It was awesome! This year it’s a whole women’s collection with men’s suits and knits. It’ll be interesting. She’s very creative [and] talented.
SG: [Cathers] wanted to make it a bit of a challenge. Last season, she had any fabric or textiles that she saw in the store. She thought, I want to up the ante, and look at men’s suits. I want to inspire not only women, but have men think about their great quality clothes, and how to repurpose them. What [Cathers] is able to do is amazing; we hope that she inspires many designers to repurpose fabrics.
Do you think thrifting is becoming a fad?
SG: I don’t think it’s a fad. I think it’s becoming mainstream. [Value Village has] proudly been in business for 60 years. We open more than 20 stores a year and we don’t see that slowing down. Especially with Macklemore’s hit song! [Macklemore] actually filmed at one of our stores and our shoppers were in the video! That was fun, and it really brought more awareness.
I think people [are becoming] more comfortable purchasing second-hand goods. For me, it was a vintage coach purse. Similar to one my grandmother used to wear. We always love it when we hear shoppers that say, where’d you get it? Value village, 5.99!
[In addition to that] our partnership with EFW has been so tremendous because Myriam Laroche and the team have taken the lead on educating. It’s really all about consumer education. If you buy ten things a month, try to buy two of those things used. Just making that little step is big.
AL: Or if you buy something, donate something!
Jess and I [Farah] were shocked to learn that 68 lbs is on average how much people throw away each year, what is Value Village doing in attempt to change that number?
AL: It’s a lot of textiles. Here in Vancouver, [Value Village] has three non-profits: Diabetes Association, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Vancouver and Developmental Disabilities Association. We work with over a hundred and twenty partners across North America. Every item donated to a non-profit is paid for. They’re paid for [by Value Village] if it makes it on the sales floor or not. We have long term relationships with our partners, and always look for new nonprofits to bring into our cycle. You’re helping the charities and the environment. And honestly, we often get items that are just dry cleaned, or still have the price tags.
SG: Sometimes an entry point for an individual may not be clothing; it may be records, or crystals [that are] wonderful quality, barely used. Each garbage bag is on average 20lbs… Just make a conscious choice and get it out of the landfills. That’s why we thank you [Sad Mag] for bringing awareness.
We are all one entity. And we always want to have our nonprofits, so that everyone’s benefiting. We have the retail end of the business; they have the collection of the goods. When you add those two elements up, it’s a great model, and it’s always been our model. Things that you don’t need, you’re turning into revenue for nonprofits.
***
VALUE VILLAGE: TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL THRIFTING:
1. GET A CLUB CARD. This is the best way to get a bang for your buck. Even Jasmine Zhu, Thrift Chic Challenge designer, used her Club card to receive 30% off her purchases for her collection! It allowed her to create three piece ensembles.
2. CHECK ALL SIZES. Styles change, and so does sizing. What used to be a eight in 1950 could be a size two by today’s standards. Always keep an open mind.
3. GET INSPIRED. It’s all about what your interpretation of fashion is. Jasmine Zhu’s collection featured necklaces on her head. Create your own style by visiting every section at your local Value Village. Yes, even the lingerie section. You never know what diamonds in the rough you’ll find.
4. DONATE. Whenever you’ve collected enough pennies for your next shopping adventure, make sure to bring along some old clothing that you have no use for. You’ll be rewarded for your generosity with a coupon. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love coupons?
On April 21, Sad Mag writers Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy went on assignment for Vancouver’s Eco-Fashion Week with the intent of discovering how fashion—that most of ephemeral and wasteful of pursuits—justifies its involvement in the eco-friendly scene. How do luxury and consumerism co-exist with frugality and restraint? Over the following days, Jess and Farah discovered quite a lot that is new (most of it vintage!) in fashion and the green movement. Part 2 of 3. {Read their first dispatch here.}
After an unbelievable runway show, Jess and Farah caught up with Vancouver eco-designer Kim Cathers. Cathers is a designer and vintage shop owner, a finalist on Project Runway and, excitingly, an advocate for environmentally friendly fashion. In the showrooms, Cathers chatted about her Fall/Winter collection, kdon, which is her second 68 pound challenge sponsored by Value Village. The 68lb challenge partnered up with Value Village to push Cathers to take risks beyond her comfort zone and make thirty pieces for a collection out of second-hand clothing.
KIM CATHERS and 68lbs OF CHIC BRILLIANCE // Eco-Fashion Week // P.2
Jess and Farah here! It is hard to sit still after Kim Cathers’ incredible show. We just watched as Cathers debuted one stunning look after another. Our favorite pieces included a shirt made of men’s blazers, a belted dress made entirely out of pants (the back pockets intentionally visible) and a collaged skirt made of the linings of men’s suits.
Cathers is fearless with her designs and on the runway, and her upbeat personality shone through when she danced down the runway to Disturbia. She was thrilled with how the show unfolded, especially how the balloons looked in the finale, and was eager to let us in on some of her guilty pleasures, unforgettable moments and insight on how we can ALL be more eco-friendly.
KDON, Cathers' collection for EFW 2013 and the 68lb challenge
Jess + Farah: We were surprised to discover that sixty-eight pounds is the amount of clothing each person throws away every year, do you think that a project like The 68lb Challenge will inspire others to be more eco-friendly?
Kim Cathers: I think that the stylists that showed before me [the Thrift Chic Challenge] show what you can do on your own. You can find pieces and put them together to make beautiful outfits without having any sewing skills. I think what I’m doing is showing that if you want to take it one step further…you can. A lot of the stuff I made was really simple, it may have looked really complicated but it wasn’t. I would cut one thing and put an elastic on it. A lot of it was deconstructed and made couture style. So I do the whole range of you could do that on your own or you could buy it from me. But I am hoping that by showing these kinds of styles it encourages people to see the different possibilities in what is discarded.
J+F: What was your budget for this project?
KC: Value Village allowed me this amazing privilege. I got to go during morning maintenance, which is when they take everything off the racks that has been there for three weeks, and I was able to look through the clothes and get stuff for free. The challenge was that not everything I wanted was being discarded that day. So they gave me five hundred dollars to supplement the collection. I spent most of the money on shoes and belts and some suits that I really loved that weren’t being thrown away any time soon. But for the most part it was all free. And when it gets taken off the rack it is literally going to be discarded, sent away, and never used again. So me and Myriam [founder of Eco-fashion week] have gone in the mornings at 3am to morning maintenance and it’s so fun and nobody gets to do that! It’s a huge privilege for me to be able to work with them. Value Village gave me free reign so I decided to put the challenge on myself this year to only use sweaters and men’s suits. I wanted to showcase all the things that could be made from a very small amount of material.
J+F: We loved your runway walk and we read that Disturbia is your favourite song. What is it about this song that you love so much?
KC: I will tell you a little secret. This collection was built with hundreds of hours of Disturbia on repeat. I found that my most productive time was between 12am and 5am, and I would put on my headphones and play it on repeat for five hours. And I figured out why it worked for me. It’s because I love the song and I know it off by heart and so my mind was able to not think about the music but to feel happy while it was playing and concentrate on creativity and sewing. I found that when I would try to listen to different mixes or a song came on that I didn’t know the beat would mess me up. But I just know that the song is my go-to song. So it was totally fitting that the finale song was Disturbia.
looks from kdon
J+F: How did your experience on Project Runway prepare you for this?
KC: I think that working in a time crunch with limited materials set the precedent for being able to produce something creative and that was my vision. The pressure on that show was crazy and here no one is after me every day with deadlines. But I know it’s there. And I don’t want to be the guy that shows up to the runway with no clothes or everything is shitty, so I put the pressure on myself and I was able to do that because of having that experience before.
J+F: What was the most memorable article of clothing that you found while looking through the clothing at Value Village and what is your favourite piece that you found?
KC: That is a HARD question. I’ve been shopping at Value Village since I was fifteen so I have found a whole host of things. Last season I found a beautiful peach coloured crinoline and I have a costume trunk at home full of tutus, sparkly things and masks and so I always collect things for that. So finding the crinoline for that was amazing. I am a huge thriftier, I love thrift shopping. I found these leather leggings, and these shoes both from value village. I didn’t touch them at all I didn’t do anything to them, no sewing. I found them when I was looking for the show and then I was like nope… I’m going to keep them. And all the shoes in the show were from Value Village as well, the boots, heels, everything. And everything I found was from the Value Village on Victoria and [the one on] 48th and Hastings. Last season when I did the show shoes were kind of an issue, it was a spring summer collection and I’m really fussy about shoes, so finding strappy summer shoes was tough. But this season I found all of them, it was awesome!
J+F: In the words of Macklemore: can someone step into a thrift shop with $20 and find an entire outfit?
KC: You can. You can get a whole outfit for $20. If you have a certain aesthetic you are trying to achieve and you have very specific guidelines of what you want to buy maybe not. Maybe the pants you want are $15 and the jackets is $20. But you can get a cool outfit for $20 that you would like. But if you are going to be all fashionista and diva about it maybe not, you might have to spend $50. But still you’re saving money regardless.
On April 21, Sad Mag writers Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy went on assignment for Vancouver’s Eco-Fashion Week with the intent of discovering how fashion—that most of ephemeral and wasteful of pursuits—justifies its involvement in the eco-friendly scene. How do luxury and consumerism co-exist with frugality and restraint? Over the following days, Jess and Farah discovered quite a lot that is new (most of it vintage!) in fashion and the green movement. Part 1 of 3.
GOING GREEN // Eco-Fashion Week // P.1
Jess and Farah here, reporting from Robson Square on season six of Eco-Fashion Week, where we got a taste of Vancouver’s fabulous fashion scene, and started to feel a bit like celebrities ourselves. (Can you say complimentary Noodlebox and cocktails?) We discovered that eco-friendly fashion has a wide variety of incentives, initiatives and styles, which demonstrate just how inclusive eco-fashion and sustainable clothing’s development has become. EFW showcased designers and products not only from Vancouver, but from all around the world.
But before the good life goes to our heads—all those free carbs!—let’s turn to the people who are actually talented: raw material designer Madera Elena, Diana Svensk with her warm stylings, and Evan Ducharme with his polished looks.
'Merely Me' by Madera Elena, photo by Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy
MADERA ELENA, MERELY ME
“This woman radiated positive energy. I felt an honesty that is hard to come by.” -Jess
“Grace.” That is the word New Yorker Madera Elena chose to describe her collection, “Merely Me.” Elena believes that everything we have in this world is given to us, and it is our responsibility to reuse, recycle and protect the earth we live on. Her spiritual outlook influences every aspect of her collection; this season, she placed her focus on earth tones, pure whites and grays.
From Elena we learned that the most common reason people throw away their clothing is because it doesn’t fit anymore. Which is why, instead of using buttons, all of Madera’s pieces are tacked with a floral pin that is adjustable and allows the body to be free and comfortable. Each of her versatile pieces is reversible, convertible and can be worn in at least three different ways. In order to reduce her carbon footprint, she uses 80% recycled fabrics for her clothing in addition to recycled paper for her shoes and accessories. Her fabrics are light, breathable and simple.
According to Elena, we should recycle our clothes, just as we recycle our experiences throughout our lives, by taking the ugly things that don’t “fit” and making them positive. She left us with these inspiring words: “Being conscious of who we are is just ‘Merely Me.’”
Diana Svensk, photo by Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy
DIANA SVENSK, SVENSK DESIGNS
“Diana was such a riot to talk to! I honestly wanted to hang out with her after the show, and of course, borrow all her clothes!” –Farah
We have never met a more down-to-earth designer than charismatic Swedish designer, Diana Svensk. Svensk creates knitwear that is fun, flirty and wearable, focusing on warm and comfortable feel-good clothing. Svensk began her business making bow hats, and now she incorporates her velour bows as a trademark into her skirts, jackets, sweaters and winter accessories.
In her words, her style is “what you see is what you get.” Her designs are straightforward and are easily worn with a pair of black leggings. This one-of-a-kind designer embraces feminine colours such as pale pink and mustard yellow in combination with bold patterns. What makes her clothing eco-friendly is her use of 100% organic alpaca wool which is hypoallergenic as well as seven times warmer, three times stronger than sheep’s wool.
When asked about Eco-Fashion in Sweden, Svensk replied that it is developing and hopes that her appearance in Vancouver Eco-fashion week will help her generate awareness back at home.
'Belladonna' by Evan Ducharme, photo by Jessica Russell and Farah Tozy
EVAN DUCHARME, BELLADONA
“We knew he nailed it, and so did he. Fighting back tears of happiness, Evan melted our hearts and we were there to witness his first huge success!” –Jess and Farah
VCAD graduate Evan Ducharme blew us away with his collection “Belladonna” featuring feminine silhouettes, detailed tailoring, and a sophisticated modern style. This 20 year-old Manitoba native started connecting with the fashion world by volunteering at Eco-Fashion week. He was then approached by the head of Eco-Fashion week, Myriam Laroche, to present his first eco-friendly collection. Designing in East Vancouver, he utilizes reclaimed fabrics as well as natural fibres and transforms them into reworked form-fitting garments.
Together with inspiration from style icons Bette Davis and Audrey Hepburn, Ducharme aims to create a look for women of all ages who are strong and independent. Ducharme explained that military jackets had a big impact on his vision for this collection; he wanted to focus on accentuating the waist by cinching it in and having fuller skirts on the bottom. We look forward to seeing what this young designer does next!
