5 Eco-Fashion Tips That Can Turn The Planet Around

Version Française ci-bas

 

I came across a post on social media yesterday that mentioned that there is enough clothing on this planet to dress the next 6 generations.

Although disturbing, I wasn’t surprised to read this at all.   A few years ago, I viewed a documentary presented by Value Village at the Wear Conference in Toronto and the images that were portrayed were frankly shocking.  Massive bales of discarded clothes were being crammed into giant containers with old T-Shirts and all kinds of clothing being shipped to other countries.

To be honest, these images were repulsive and sickening and left a mark on my soul.

It was the beginning of my desire to help turn things around on this planet and the definite end to my fast fashion shopping habit. Goodbye trends and hello recycling and taking care of our home.

 

 

Here are some things we can all do to usher in a new day:

  • Ignore trends. The only trend you should follow is joy: what makes you happy when you wear it?
  • Shop your closet: look for that piece of clothing you haven’t worn much. It’s ready to hit the town. Let’s bring it out of hiding today and pair it with some funky accessories.
  • Mend that item with a tiny tear or has some pulled threads. You can do it or have someone else do it for you. Extending the life of a garment by 9 months reduces the carbon imprint of that piece of clothing considerably.
  • Shop for what already exists. I have found incredible treasures in thrift stores, vintage shops and donation centers. You can follow my Instagram and professional Facebook accounts where I share these fun finds.  You can also attend my upcoming shopping event taking place on June 3rd .
  • Shop locally and encourage brands that are making a difference. There are many great designers and my blog is filled with suggestions and ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

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Je suis tombée sur un post hier sur les réseaux sociaux qui mentionnait qu’il existe suffisamment de vêtements sur cette planète pour habiller les 6 prochaines générations.

 

Bien que cette information soit dérangeante, je n’ai pas du tout été surprise. Il y a quelques années, j’ai écouté un documentaire présenté par le Village des Valeurs à la Conférence Wear de Toronto et les images qui étaient présentées étaient franchement choquantes. D’énormes conteneurs étaient remplis de vieux T-shirts et de toutes sortes de vêtements à être expédiés vers d’autres pays.

 

Ces images étaient répugnantes et écœurantes et ont laissé des traces dans mon coeur.

Ceci a marqué le début de mon désir d’aider à changer les choses sur cette planète et la fin définitive don magasinage de mode jetable.  J’ai aussi décidé de délaisser les tendances et de prendre plus grand soin de notre belle planète.

 

Voici certains gestes que nous pouvons tous poser pour améliorer la situation actuelle :

  • Ignorer les tendances. La seule tendance à suivre est celle de la joie : qu’est-ce qui vous rend heureux quand vous le portez ?
  • Magasinez dans votre garde-robe : recherchez ce vêtement que vous n’avez pas beaucoup porté. Il est prêt à se faire voir !Sortons-le aujourd’hui et jumelons-le avec des accessoires qui ont du punch.
  • Réparez cet article qui a petite déchirure ou des fils tirés. Vous pouvez le faire ou demander à quelqu’un d’autre de le faire pour vous. Prolonger la durée de vie d’un vêtement de 9 mois réduit considérablement l’empreinte carbone de ce vêtement.
  • Achetez ce qui existe déjà. J’ai trouvé des trésors incroyables dans des friperies, des boutiques vintage et des centres de dons. Vous pouvez suivre mes comptes Instagram et Facebook professionnels où je partage ces trouvailles amusantes. Si le cœur vous en dit, vous pouvez aussi assister à mon prochain événement shopping qui aura lieu le 3 juin prochain.
  • Achetez localement et encouragez les marques qui font la différence. Il y a beaucoup de designers et créateurs qui le font et mon blogue est rempli de suggestions et d’idées à cet égard.

 

Merci de faire ces efforts.  La planète en est très reconnaissante.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Images via Unsplash.

Black friday : healthy alternatives / Alternatives écologiques au vendredi fou

While doing research this week, I came across some stats via the website Good on You that are frankly disturbing.  According to a report, 80% of what we purchase on Black Friday is thrown out after one or even zero uses.

This blew my mind!  It made my realize that many people, including myself in a previous life, are looking in the wrong direction for a feel-good activity that stimulates joy.

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Cold weather Eco Finds / Trouvailles écolos pour le temps froid

The French version of this article is below.  La version française de cet article se retrouve ci-bas.

It’s getting chillier every single day as the winds of change are blowing.

Thankfully, there are terrific businesses that are doing good for our planet and offering warm clothing with amazing recycled fabrics,  terrific design and a greater social conscience.  A true win-win for our planet.

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5 Trouvailles Écolos Pour les Jours de Pluie / 5 Eco-Fashion Finds for a Rainy Day

Grâce à toute cette pluie qui tombe chez nous cette semaine,  j’ai fait de jolies découvertes!  Si par le passé, j’associais les jours de pluie avec la grisaille et la noirceur, eh bien avec ces nouvelles trouvailles, c’est terminé!  De plus, ces articles sont écologiques, fabriqués principalement de matières recyclées, donc de véritables merveilles!

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My favourite places to find secondhand in Quebec / Mes endroits préférés pour trouver du seconde main au Québec

I started this blog to share my own evolution and journey from being a frenzied shopaholic corporate lawyer to a writer, spiritual teacher, and fan of second hand clothes.   Does this mean I don’t appreciate fashion?   No, it’s quite the opposite.  I still love and appreciate fashion.  It just means that I’m far more conscious about the choices I make and how and where I purchase things and how often I shop.

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Why Buying Second Hand (and Local) is a Must- Acheter Seconde Main & Local

I have to admit that yes,  I’ve come a long way…

In a previous life,  I purchased huge amounts of fast fashion and all kinds of nonsense. I’ve already written about this, it was to fill an existential void caused by not doing what I truly love.  In the last year, 98 % of the clothes I’ve purchased have been second hand in vintage or thrift shops, except for a fun pair of pants from Maisons Simons made with recycled water bottles,  a tennis dress found on sale by Stella McCartney, one of eco-fashion’s main pioneers and a few T-shirts to wear to my yoga class.

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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 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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