On Tuesday November 29th, Fashion Takes Action is hosting a high-end clothing swap to help fashion lovers reduce their environmental footprint. Toronto-based FTA has worked tirelessly since 2007 to help educate both fashion businesses and consumers on how to become more sustainable.
The average Canadian contributes seven kilograms of textiles to landfill each year, and clothing makes up a large part of it. This may seem shocking because most people do not throw clothing into the garbage, however putting unwanted garments in the bin at Goodwill doesn’t necessarily mean it ends up on the racks in the store, let alone that anyone buys it. FTA hopes to raise awareness around this issue, so consumers can feel more empowered to make smarter and more responsible clothing purchases.
“There are several ways we can be more sustainable when it comes to our clothing,” says FTA founder Kelly Drennan. “But a clothing swap is a really fun place to start! Not to mention the fact that it is also more wallet-friendly than some of the other options available, something we think people can appreciate a great deal in these tighter economic times”.
Attendees must bring at least ONE item to swap in order to participate. Advance drop off is recommended, and admission to the event is $15. For full event details, including the purchase of tickets, donated clothing criteria and drop off schedule, please visit the event’s Facebook Page.
What’s your experience of clothing swaps?
I receive a ton of press releases every day and although I open and read all of them, it’s rare that I find one inspiring enough to post about. Carrie Parry is one of those, an emerging designer whose creations are whimsical yet sophisticated, timeless yet modern, and best of all, sustainable. The Central Saint Martins grad won the Ethical Fashion Forum’s 2011 Innovation Award, and her designs are born from a passion for producing garments that never go out of style and a commitment to responsible sources and practices.
A preview of Carrie Parry's Spring 2012 collection
Looking for something to do this Friday night, I stumbled upon the news that the exhibit Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess is making its only North American stop in Toronto at the TIFF Lightbox downtown. Toronto is the only North American stop? That never happens!
The exhibit is divided into three sections: Kelly’s life as a movie star, as a bride, and as a princess. Highlights include an exact replica of her Helen Rose-designed lace wedding gown (which many say inspired Kate Middleton’s dress when she married Prince William), several original dresses, her signature Hermes “Kelly bag,” her Academy Award for The Country Girl, and the diamond tiara she wore when she became Princess of Monaco in 1956.
I read a review of the exhibit when it showed in Europe and was struck by Grace Kelly’s innate environmentalism which came through in her habit of wearing the same outfits over and over. She also declared publicly her sadness over the end of her acting career – her husband, Prince Rainier of Monaco, banned the screening of her previous movies and she was forced to turn down the lead in Alfred Hitchcock’s Marnie after public outcry in her adoptive country over the idea of her playing a kleptomaniac.
(I saw The Country Girl on Broadway with two of my favourites, Morgan Freeman and Frances McDormand, playing the leads. What a cool experience!)Are you a fan of Grace Kelly’s work?
The Telegraph reported today that the sales of Fairtrade cotton fell by one-third last year as the trend toward cheap fast fashion a la H&M and Primark continues to ramp up. In case you’re wondering why it’s important to buy fair trade, check out this Youtube video with Lisa Butcher which explains the undeniable benefits of choosing fair trade:
Next Friday marks the release of the final instalment of the Harry Potter series starring one of our fine eco-fashion afficionados, Emma Watson. Here’s a look back at some of her “premiere” looks from the past decade.
Prisoner of Azkaban, 2004
Goblet of Fire, 2005
Order of the Phoenix, 2007
Half-Blood Prince, 2009
Deathly Hallows Part 1, 2010
Today is Fashion Friend Friday brought to you by Modly Chic and today she asks us how blogging has influenced our style.
1. Since you began blogging do you notice a change in the types of things you gravitate towards while shopping?
Since I began blogging, I’ve been lucky enough to become part of a lovely community of like-minded women who believe, like me, that fashion represents an opportunity to do good in the world. To that end, many of us have taken a pledge to the environment that requires us to buy only second-hand and vintage clothing for the duration of 2011. Of course, that affects my shopping habits because I only cruise thrift shops and vintage stores and have no idea what’s trending at H&M.
2. Do you find, as a fashion blogger, that you dress differently from your family and friends? Do they comment on that?
Most of my family and friends are fashion-conscious: I suppose that’s where I get it and I gravitate toward people with an interest in the sartorial. People do seem to sense right away that I have an interest in fashion which surprises me at times because I am a very classic and conservative dresser.
3. What’s the weirdest fashion that you secretly like, even if you aren’t bold enough to wear it?
Headpieces a la Philip Treacy. I want to be invited to an English wedding so I can have an excuse to wear one and not look completely over the top.
4. Looking at current trends – what would you like to try but need to build up the courage to do?
Mixing patterns and prints and colour-blocking Jolly Rancher-style.
5. Toot someone’s horn – what fashion blogger out there inspires you with her bold fashion choices?
I’m going to go with The Citizen Rosebud.
What’s your style?
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I’ve been anticipating Emma Watson’s July Vogue cover since I read about it at Fashionista.com last week, so when I spotted the issue yesterday at the grocery checkout I grabbed it and nearly squealed with delight. After a series of disappointing covers, Vogue presents a darkly dramatic Emma with blood red glossy lips and darkened slicked back hair and eyebrows. She looks a bit like a gorgeous vampire in a stunning Prada paillette dress. The cover, shot by Mario Testino, is oddly Christmas-y for July but I’ll take it, as cranberry red always has a pleasing visceral effect on me.
The profile by Amanda Foreman called Emma’s New Day reveals how Emma has spent the last half of her life (since she was picked to play Hermione Grainger at age 9) ensconced in the surreal Harry Potter world which filmed in a converted factory outside London. I had no idea how all-encompassing working as an actor in the J.K. Rowling franchise was for Emma and her co-stars: filming and promoting the movies took the place of a normal life:
“I have had no control over my life,” Emma told Vogue. “I have lived in a complete bubble. They found me and picked me for the part. And now I’m desperately trying to find my way through it.”
A certain defiance about Emma’s character is what endears her to me. The fight in her showed itself when she cut her hair the moment filming ended on the last instalment of the Harry Potter series. Before that, she refused to sign on to film the last two movies unless schedules were changed to allow her to go to university.
“I was Warner Brothers’ pain in the butt. I was their scheduling conflict. I was the one who made life difficult.”
Although the franchise has deprived her of a normal life, and perhaps because of that, Emma is determined to discover what kind of artist she wants to be (she also paints and has been involved in ethical fashion design projects for People Tree and Alberta Ferretti). The knowledge that she can’t be happy going along with what others expect and that her life must have a purpose true to her is something most women don’t think about until they’re much older, if ever. The gift of the Harry Potter franchise is that at age 21, Emma can say:
“I am going to do what I want to do. I’m going to be who I really am. I’m going to figure out what that is.”
We can’t wait to see!
What do you think Emma’s next move will be?
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ME AT NINE, PERFORMING TO MADONNA IN SUMMER ’91! from Robert Jeffrey on Vimeo. I first saw this “impeccable” video via Jezebel and later on the Hairpin. Watch Robert get down with his 9-year-old bad self. I love his confidence and self-acceptance.
Dream Center Los Angeles: Bachman’s Sparrow shows fashion blogs have heart with some life-changing outreach work.
A Consuming & Passionate Love Affair: The Confession. Ashe Mischief’s honest and poignant post about figuring it all out.
A Love Letter to Personal Bloggers: By Anika. Possibly my favourite post of the year, this woman knows how to spread the love.
Emma Watson Will Grace American Vogue’s July Cover, Wearing Fall Prada. Thrilled to get the news from Fashionista.com that one of my favourite eco-fashionistas is Vogue’s next cover girl.
What made you feel good this week?
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Kristy Elena is blogging on behalf of Sunglass Hut this year after winning the Full Time Fabulous award. I’ve joined her Google group whose members partake in monthly synchronized blog posts on a specific theme. Today Kristy has asked us to create a visual post using an SS11 trend. I’ve written before that I’m not sure trends exist anymore, so I’m going to tackle a fashion-related topic that perplexes me every summer: how do I combine my active lifestyle with my personal sense of style?
Summer in Toronto is short, three months at best, so I like to be out running, jumping, swimming, and playing as much as possible. Activity combined with high humidity means I live in a ponytail (and I can live with that) but I’m not the type of girl who likes to walk around in her track shorts all day, never have been. I need outfits that will allow me to break into a run at a moment’s notice but that don’t scream “jock” because that doesn’t feel like me. Kudos to you if you can rock an athletic look all summer long.
Here are some visuals for an active girl’s summer wardrobe. This post idea came at exactly the right time, although I’ve bent the rules beyond recognition. Kristy Elena, please forgive my self-indulgence.
Short shorts not my thing… I need more coverage.
Now, we’re getting somewhere (and it’s the Gap!)
Eco-fashion by Canadian Nicole Bridger
Does your summer wardrobe require extra effort, or are you like The Onion, above?
Today is a holiday in Canada. On the weekend before May 24, we commemorate Queen Victoria’s birthday (something even England doesn’t do as a national holiday), open up cottages for the season, plant gardens, and expel fireworks. Regarded as the beginning of summer, Canadians affectionately call this long weekend May 2-4 because of the copious amounts of beer that gets drunk (as in 24 beers in a case).
As one fellow noted: “Rule Britannia, God Save the Queen, Go Manchester ……. whatever, I got a paid day off work today!”
Here is the Victoria Day edition of Links I Love:
Searching For Fashion Inspiration: Those Graces Friend Friday post on outside influences
The Rant – Slutty Fashion: Fashion Limbo on being S-bombed
What to do when your dream job is killing you: Style Bizarre. So you want to work in fashion, hey?
Why Not…Be a Confident Single Woman? The Simply Luxurious Life reminds us happiness comes from within, not from men.
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” A quote from Helen Keller via I Believe She’s Amazing, a group committed to recognizing one million women globally.
How Your Worst Enemy Can Become the Key to Your Blogging Authority: Copyblogger‘s post for writers applies to anyone who’s facing resistance. Hint: it means go.
If you want bold, bright and beautiful prints, shop Fair Trade: Style Eyes tells why you needn’t sacrifice style for sustainable.
What else?
