[View our gallery above for highlights from season 8 of Eco Fashion Week]
Vancouver has always been known to be the green city not just because we’re surrounded by plush greenery everywhere we turn our heads but also for our efforts in sustainability. Fashion is no an exception to the rule and for eight seasons to date, Eco Fashion Week’s founder Myriam Laroche has been fighting for increased awareness around textile waste. This season, the event was hosted at Fairmont Waterfront Hotel in Vancouver. Eco Fashion Week focused on the role we play in influencing change through adapting new shopping habits and pushing for change in the clothing industry.
To put things in perspective, the average Canadian discards 14kg of textile waste per year and according to Statistic Canada, 73% of this waste was sent for disposal. Currently, over 10 million tons of textile waste is accumulated within Canada each year. Canadians are attuned to this problem and eco textile recycling companies designed to help you get rid of your clothes consciously are now available to address this issue.
“Fashion for life, not waste.” –Eco Fashion Week
So what can we do? Eco Fashion Week targeted this question and experts from the fashion industry lent their voice in this conversation. Local designer such as Jason Matlo (his line is currently being carried at The Room in The Hudson’s Bay Company) and even senior sustainability specialist Pierre Borjesson from H&M were eager to share with everyone how to reduce your carbon footprint when it comes to fashion.
“The little black dress can now be green. The world should know.” –Eco Fashion Week
Each season, local stylists from the Vancouver region compete for their place in the Eco Fashion Week’s thrift challenge. These stylists attempt to show that fashion doesn’t have to come with a heavy price on the environment and that shopping thrift can still put you on top of the style list. The top three finalists (Hey Jude, Ghazal Elhaei and Jerome Insorio) then have a challenge to create a runway ready collection using clothes found at Value Village with a budget of $500.
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Collections that came down the runway were a play on summer style in Vancouver. An orange opaque lightweight rain jacket was paired with a neutral shirt underneath; practical for the unpredictable weather in Vancouver, which usually involves rain.
Then, there was the 68-pound challenge where one designer (Tammy Joe of Young Oak) deconstructs fabric found (68 pounds to be exact) at Value Village to create a whole new collection. The collection this year had plunging backlines, pastel colors, color blocking and even an adorable cropped Disney sweater that said: “where the magic begins”.
Local fashion house Obakki showcased their efforts when it comes to their role in balancing fashion and philanthropy at the closing ceremony held at Holt Renfrew with a fashion show.
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It’s clear that we can have our cake and eat it too when it comes to shopping sustainable fashion. Here are some tips on being an eco conscious shopper:
1. Consider thrift stores: Vintage finds are always a steal even if you’re into designer labels. Just think of the benefits, you’ll never show up somewhere risking the chances of someone wearing the same thing as you. Try: Timeline Boutique on Davie and Seymour street for designer finds or your local Value Village for thrift.
Below: Fashion writer Lyndi Barrett found a designer Chloe dress for $12.99 at Value Village.
2. Buy eco conscious: Sometimes you just want something new and that’s fine. Stores like H&M have come up with an eco conscious line that you can shop your heart out guilt free.
3. Dispose your textiles appropriately: Let’s face it, the days of throwing everything you don’t want in the garbage is over. Start being responsible and either donate your clothes to a cause or organize a get together with your girlfriends to see who will adopt your clothes. There are also website like Eco Textile Recycling Inc that will help you get rid of your clothes responsibly.
4. Think before you buy: This one is a hard one but this will save you the heartbreak of having to give your beloved clothes away because you need more room. It’s great on the bank account too. People with great style don’t necessary need a huge closet; it’s creativity that usually scores them points.
Being stylish isn’t about having something new. It’s about taking calculated risks and being creative while respecting sustainability.
Amy Yew is a contributing columnist at Vancouver Courier and a fashion and style writer. She is also a Lucky Magazine community contributor. Tell us what you think and submit any questions you have to [email protected]. You can also tweet your thoughts @AmyYew.
