How Your Ethical Clothing is Made
As I released this spring’s collection, I realized that I’ve never shared anything about my journey as a clothing designer or how I make these clothes. Clothing has always taken a backseat to talking about the stained glass. Which is a bit silly, because I’ve put so much love and thought into these items, but I’ve never told you about it!
But the clothing I design has its own story. What I put on my body has been a huge part of my art practice and is one of the things I feel extremely passionate about. So I wanted to take the time to tell you about my journey as a clothing designer and the path these items have taken from my heart to your wardrobe.
Why Wear Intentional Clothing
Clothing has always been more than just a necessity to me. I see it as a powerful form of self-expression, a canvas on which we paint our unique individuality and identity. I’ve always talked about clothing being a way to, “wear my internal self on my outside.” Dressing the way I feel is one of the key ways that I can express my authentic self in the world.
My intention with designing clothing is not just to help people feel beautiful, but to also allow the wearer to express their personal narratives, moods, and beliefs without uttering a single word. It's my deepest hope that through my heartfelt designs, you find pieces that resonate with your spirit and celebrate your unique identity.
My Journey Making Clothing
I started sewing when I was about 14 years old. By that point in time I was already almost 6 feet tall, gawky and skinny and NOTHING I could find would fit me. My journey began at my mother’s janky sewing machine, trying to figure out alterations so that I could have clothes that fit.
But my journey did not stop there. I quickly attached to sewing as a way to create unique designs that helped me express myself. By the time I started working in festivals, I was building all manner of costumes for myself. People at events would always comment on my outfits and ask where they could buy them. The natural progression was to start sewing them for other people.
The building your clothes are made in has been part of the garment industry in Montreal since 1913!
Finding A Team
The one problem with being a clothing designer is that I absolutely HATE sewing. While I’m totally in love with helping people express themselves, spending 10 hours a day in front of a sewing machine was my nightmare.
But at the time, outsourcing my designs meant sending them to Asia, and I ethically struggled with this option. So I gave it up as a life path until about 5 years ago when I was living in Montreal.
Many of you may not know this, but Montreal was Canada’s first-ever garment manufacturing centre. It has a rich history of fashion design and production. While I was living there I began to realize that I might have an option to create clothing again that I could feel ethically good about. I toured some of the local production spaces and found some partners that I felt aligned with.
Local Production: Made with Love in Montreal
I'm proud to say that my clothing is now lovingly made from fabric milling to printing to production right in Montreal. From sourcing to manufacturing, it’s entirely local. This decision wasn't just about logistics; it was about integrity, supporting my community, and reducing my carbon footprint. Working closely with local artisans and producers means that I can ensure each piece meets my high standards of quality and ethical production.
Behind every stitch and seam of your clothing is our team of skilled sewers, based right in Montreal. I’m so grateful that they do all my sewing for me, bringing each piece to life with precision and care. They're paid a livable wage, above the minimum, with all breaks paid. I want to respect and value the craftsmanship and energy that goes into your clothes.
Environmentally Sustainable Clothing
Environmental sustainability was also of huge importance to me, which is why I went with EcoPoly fiber made in Montreal. The material is milled locally to cut down on transportation carbon and ensure environmental oversight and requires significantly less water and energy to produce. While no new production is as good for the planet as reusing, I wanted to choose the best option available to me.
For this reason, I also choose dye sublimation as a printing method. While I used to do a lot of screen printing and hand-dying, dye-sublimation is the most eco-conscious and sustainable method available when it comes to coloring fabric. It transfers the dye directly from a solid to a gas state onto the fabric, minimizing the use of water and reducing waste. This method ensures that the beautiful designs on your clothing are not only stunning and durable but also kinder to our planet.
All waste from the production is recycled in the city, and any excess clothing or items with imperfections get donated to inner-city shelters. That being said, I try not to create waste in the first place! All your items are made to order specifically so that I can avoid overstock that will end up in a landfill.
Supporting Causes Close to My Heart
Last but not least, I know that no new production of clothing is ever truly sustainable, and I wanted to do every I could do to feel better about the production of new clothing. So 10% of all proceeds are also donated to charity. My favorites are WildAid for environmental support and KIVA, which supports other entrepreneurs in developing countries. Every purchase you make not only adds a unique piece to your wardrobe but also contributes to causes that make a difference in people's lives.
Thanks For Being Here
From the digital art that adorns each piece, to my personal self-expression, to the local, eco-friendly production processes, every step in the creation of my clothing is infused with intention, love, and a commitment to ethical, sustainable practices. While I know that new production is always problematic, I do my absolute best to ensure that every item arrives to you with the best energy it can.
Thank you for being here, for being curious, and for being part of my story. I hope my designs encourage you to stand out, to wear your story with pride, and to embrace the beauty of your authentic self.