Day 122 / 365
I’m not one for fancy wear normally, but since most
people don’t spend their days in sweatpants blogging, I figured going a little
out of my comfort zone with some ethically and ecologically made #GirlBoss gear
wouldn’t hurt nobody.
people don’t spend their days in sweatpants blogging, I figured going a little
out of my comfort zone with some ethically and ecologically made #GirlBoss gear
wouldn’t hurt nobody.
Most female business attire is made with fabrics
which are petroleum derivatives, like polyester, acrylic, or nylon, all of which will never biodegrade and cause huge damages to the earth in
their creation. These collections, whether luxury lines or fast fashion finds are more often than not created by the hands of exploited workers, including children.
which are petroleum derivatives, like polyester, acrylic, or nylon, all of which will never biodegrade and cause huge damages to the earth in
their creation. These collections, whether luxury lines or fast fashion finds are more often than not created by the hands of exploited workers, including children.
If you’re a conscious compassionate human, these are fabrics and practices
which you’ll be wanting to avoid.
which you’ll be wanting to avoid.
Unfortunately, there are very few brands, especially in the female
business apparel industry, which exemplify the fashion revolution this world
needs to see; one in which ecological and ethical practices walk hand in hand
equally.
business apparel industry, which exemplify the fashion revolution this world
needs to see; one in which ecological and ethical practices walk hand in hand
equally.
One of the few who do make eco and ethical efforts
is a Canadian brand called Wallis Evera, who design, cut, and sew their entire
collection of sustainably produced clothing in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Each piece is made out of natural fibres, and fibre in use for this brand is the queen of the eco-fabric scene, Hemp.
is a Canadian brand called Wallis Evera, who design, cut, and sew their entire
collection of sustainably produced clothing in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Each piece is made out of natural fibres, and fibre in use for this brand is the queen of the eco-fabric scene, Hemp.
Hemp is stronger, more durable, and requires 50%
less water than its cotton counterpart. Like bamboo, it grows extremely fast,
and can grow almost anywhere, with the crops yielding in less than four months.
less water than its cotton counterpart. Like bamboo, it grows extremely fast,
and can grow almost anywhere, with the crops yielding in less than four months.
What makes the fabric truly amazing is the plant
itself. Hemp also has a natural carbon emission as it creates a closed carbon cycle, it produces about 200 –
250% more fibre per square metre than cotton and 600% more fibre per acre than
flax (which is the plant used to make linen).
itself. Hemp also has a natural carbon emission as it creates a closed carbon cycle, it produces about 200 –
250% more fibre per square metre than cotton and 600% more fibre per acre than
flax (which is the plant used to make linen).
It requires ZERO fungicides, herbicides, or
pesticides to grow, which means the communities surrounding areas of its growth
won’t have their fresh water, soil, and produce tainted by health-harming
chemicals. It also isn’t picky about the type of soil it gestates itself in and
helps to purify the soil as it grows.
pesticides to grow, which means the communities surrounding areas of its growth
won’t have their fresh water, soil, and produce tainted by health-harming
chemicals. It also isn’t picky about the type of soil it gestates itself in and
helps to purify the soil as it grows.
To dye their fibres, Wallis Evera uses reactive low-impact dyes
and pre-shrunk cationic softener, which is water-soluble. This is one spot they
could do better as even low-impact has the word impact in it, but it is a thoughtful place to start. Natural dyes are
the most ideal as they have little to no impact, apart from the use of water
(which is considerably less than its toxic or semi-toxic counterparts). You
can’t get colours like black using natural dyes, but I have no doubts in the
next few years, someone will find a sustainable solution to this.
and pre-shrunk cationic softener, which is water-soluble. This is one spot they
could do better as even low-impact has the word impact in it, but it is a thoughtful place to start. Natural dyes are
the most ideal as they have little to no impact, apart from the use of water
(which is considerably less than its toxic or semi-toxic counterparts). You
can’t get colours like black using natural dyes, but I have no doubts in the
next few years, someone will find a sustainable solution to this.
The combination of virtually chemical-free clothing creation is a huge plus for the eco-industry, and also for you. The fewer toxins used in the fibre growth and
fabric dyes which create your clothing, the less your body ingests through your pores
when you sweat, harming your organs and health.
fabric dyes which create your clothing, the less your body ingests through your pores
when you sweat, harming your organs and health.
Hemp is super durable too, so anything you purchase
made of this fibre will likely last you a long time, possibly a lifetime. It is also breathable, absorbent, and naturally
resistant to mould and ultraviolet light, taking far better care of you than
most fabrics do. Most importantly, at the end of its lifecycle, it
biodegrades, creating a cradle-to-cradle story of long lasting products with
minimal waste and environmental impacts.
made of this fibre will likely last you a long time, possibly a lifetime. It is also breathable, absorbent, and naturally
resistant to mould and ultraviolet light, taking far better care of you than
most fabrics do. Most importantly, at the end of its lifecycle, it
biodegrades, creating a cradle-to-cradle story of long lasting products with
minimal waste and environmental impacts.
Whether you buy new with conscious companieslike Wallis Evera, or get your work gear vintage, swapped, or second-hand, I
implore you to do your very best to ensure that whatever you’re porting on your
person be as eco and ethical as personally possible, this planet and its people
need your helping hand.
You can check out the rest of Wallis Evera‘s
collection on their website HERE. Do comment below if you have any questions or
suggestions on other eco + ethical female business attire brands that you
know of. For gentlemen, I’ve done a post on suits HERE which you can read for
suggestions on where to get your work wear.
collection on their website HERE. Do comment below if you have any questions or
suggestions on other eco + ethical female business attire brands that you
know of. For gentlemen, I’ve done a post on suits HERE which you can read for
suggestions on where to get your work wear.
WEARING
(and probably some slippers *not pictured)
Photos Shane Woodward
Sources: Collective Evolution, Infographics, Superego, Define
Sources: Collective Evolution, Infographics, Superego, Define
* [SPONSORED POST] Please note, the dress pictured was gifted to me at my request by the kind souls at Wallis Evera,. I don’t receive any editorial direction from brands I work with, opinions and story direction is all mine. I often ask brands for products to review which relate to planned posts I have for this daily #GoneGreen2016 series. Any facts used to support my opinions can be found in the source links above *
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