eco-fashion – Page 4 – Soulful Couture

Summer Challenge! Shop Second hand for the planet

So… summer is officially here!

After an intense Spring season filled with a roller coaster of news, unprecedented change, upheaval, and discomfort, let’s face it, we’re all ready to spend time outdoors, breathe, play, and visit with friends ( if you can) and wear some COLOR!

We will all benefit from some levity and wearing some colourful clothes, summer dresses and keeping things light.

One go the things I wish to accomplish with creating this blog is helping to slow down the pollution and detrimental effets the world’s excessive consumption has on our beautiful planet.

An interview with Steven Bethell of Bank & Vogue

Last September, I had the great pleasure and honour of attending the WEAR conference in Toronto, a conference about fashion sustainability, ecology, and ethics, amongst many other topics. It was an exceptional conference, with amazing panelists and speakers. One of the presenters, Canadian businessman Steven Bethell, founder of the Bank & Vogue Group of companies, caught my attention with his fascinating business and inspiring collaborations. He also has great stories to share ( and wears interesting hats.)

Based in Ottawa, Bank & Vogue is a global leader in the facilitation, logistics, purchase and reselling of wholesale used goods and most notably, used clothing. According to the Ottawa Business Journal, the firm buys and sells about three million garments a week – enough to fill more than five dozen 40-foot shipping containers – from an operation based here in Canada.

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An interview with yoga and breathwork teacher Annie Langlois

I first met Annie Langlois while attending one of her amazing retreats at the wonderful Spa Eastman in the Eastern Townships.
She was hosting a Kundalini retreat and I was looking for some rest and time out after completing another book. The retreat was terrifically soothing, and I discovered a woman 100 % aligned with her truth. A passionate teacher, there’s nothing false or fake about Annie. She lives and breathes ( no pun intended! ) her true passion for healing and helping others on their life path and journey.
She’s talented yoga and breathwork instructor whose mission is to share the healing modalities that she has discovered on her own healing journey.
In our conversation on the podcast, we discussed how we very often come here to teach what we ourselves need to heal and learn.

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An interview with Léonie Daignault-Leclerc, a fashion sustainability expert

Léonie Daignault-Leclerc is an intelligent, passionate, and wise young entrepreneur. She’s also loads of fun too! The founder of the Gaia & Dubos eco-fashion label based in Quebec City, not only has an effervescent personality, she’s become a sustainability expert and a determined and fully engaged business woman.
She recently published a book in French Canada; Pour Une Garde-Robe Responsable and I had the pleasure of interviewing her for my podcast. (available above and on iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher.)
I had the pleasure of speaking to Léonie about the passion for fashion she’s had since she was a child, her studies in fashion design and her advice about building an eco-conscious wardrobe. She has lots to say on the matter, having graduated with a specialization in fashion sustainability from Ryerson in Toronto.

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An interview with Marie-Geneviève Cyr, a key player in the world of fashion

When I think of women fully embodying their own power, being their own truth, and being fully connected with their true essence and talents, I think of Marie-Geneviève Cyr, a key player in the world of fashion, creativity, sustainability and eco-fashion.
This Quebec dynamo from the Gaspésie region knows her stuff: about fashion, culture, travel and art.

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An Interview with Sol Desharnais of Sol Designs

I had the pleasure of discovering Sol and his beautiful designs while on a recent trip with my friend Miriel. She was happily wearing a handbag and began speaking of its creator, a friend named Sol from Manitoba.
What caught my attention were the words: locally made, recycled vinyl flooring, he gives back to the community and meditation and yoga! This embodies’s Sol’s philosophy for both work and life. And it reflects mine too.

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An interview with handbag designer Annick Levesque

I had the chance to speak to Montreal based handbag designer Annick Levesque. She is a graduate of Cégèp Marie-Victorin and creates beautiful hand-made bags with integrated lighting. A highly original concept, protected by international patents all over the world! In addition, in the podcast she speaks to us about the importance of buying local, good quality products and shares some tips on starting your own business.
One of the things that most impressed me about Annick is the fact that all her bags are handmade by her here in Montreal.
She is planning to open her first retail outlet this summer on Avenue Laurier O. in Montreal.

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Why Cutting Back on Buying Stuff is Good for the Planet and the Soul

“In everything, simplicity is the key to trusteeship. A simple life conserves not just our personal resources but the earth’s.” Eknath Easwaran

We all need things, including some clothes to wear and, if we’re lucky, some fun outfits to feel good in. And who doesn’t enjoy getting a new pair of shoes? It’s just fun and good for the spirit, especially at this time of year when those of us in the northeast are dying for some pastel colors, vitamins, and sunshine. Give me some pinks, yellows, and some rainbows.

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Parley For The Oceans Collaborates with Big Names in Fashion

According to Avaaz, the international non-profit organization, by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the world’s oceans.
This should give us all pause for concern. Major pause. Major concern. And a desire for immediate action.
This week, Stella McCartney announced a partnership with Parley for the Oceans, an organization committed to fighting marine plastic pollution. McCartney will use Parley materials in lieu of recycled polyester.
I have long admired Stella McCartney and her strong desire to protect the environment and the world’s animals as well as her non-use of leather materials to create her line of vegan accessories. This fresh collaboration is in line with her committment to protect the planet and I look forward to tlaunchuch of this new collection in July 2017.

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Why Fast Fashion is Never a Wise Choice

I have a confession to make. Recently, during a family trip to Boston to celebrate my parent’s wedding anniversary, I got caught up in a shopping expedition with my mother that led me to make a spontaneous purchase at one of the major fast fashion retail chains. I bought a pretty skirt for less than $25.00 and it wasn’t even on sale.
There’s no question the skirt is attractive. I received tons of compliments wearing it at a book fair.
But three days after my purchase, news broke that the retail chain in question uses American sweatshops in California for finishing touches and pays American workers $4.00 an hour, far less than the minimum wage. I can only imagine what workers overseas in third world countries get paid for making such garments. It must be a pittance.

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