With Fashion Revolution Week approaching (April 20th-26th) I wanted to put together a set of questions so that you can easily get to know Lights of All, or even use them to ask other sustainable brands to get to know them and their practices better.
Lights of All is an all vegan, eco-friendly and ethical clothing label based in Toronto. Everything is made in house, by me, in small batches while using eco-conscious materials.
All garments are cut and sewn in Toronto by me, specifically in my apartment! I have a den in our apartment which is my dedicated studio space.
I source my fabric from two providers: Kendor Textiles and Telio. I specifically shop in their sustainable departments. They dont specifically disclose where the fabrics come from but they say its a mix of North America and Asia. Since I always buy from GOTs or Oeko-Tex certified products I can rest assured that they are coming from monitored sources.4 – Do you use conventional cotton or organic cotton?
We only use Organic Cotton because its much better for the planet – We have a post about the difference between organic and conventional cotton if you want to learn more about why we only use organic – here!
All fabric remnants and left overs are repurposed into patchwork pouches and totes that are given free with your purchase (its also how we wrap your order instead of using tissue). The pieces that are too small are donated to a paper maker in Montreal who turns it into artisanal paper. Our unbleached scarp paper from making pattern is usually reused (glued together to make usable pieces) as much as possible, if not usable, its recycled. When we do dye items, because we only use Low Impact Fiber Reactive Dyes, the basic filtration system used in Canada to treat our domestic waste water is enough to break down and clean the dyes stuff from the water. So its safe to let it go down the drain (woohoo!).
Originally we used recycled cardboard boxes, we have since run out of our small boxes (still have a good amount of big ones left though) so we have recently switched to compostable mailers! We will also, from time to time, re-use boxes I have received personally. So if you get a Sephora or Well.ca box from us dont be alarmed! Were just trying to reduce, reuse and recycle. Our hang tag & business cards are made from cotton waste from the industry. In an effort to conserve materials, your online order will not come with a hang tag, we know the second you get it you cut it off and throw it away, so who needs em? We will conserve them to use when we have in-person shopping events where they are needed for shoppers to see prices.
The founder of Lights of All is Katia Hagen, shes also the one-woman-show who designs, makes – does everything for the brand! Except when we need models, photographers, make up artists and hair stylists for the photoshoots. She started Lights of All because she wanted to work for a fashion company that held her values of veganism and environmental protection. At the time, in 2017, in Montreal, she couldnt find any. So, she decided to try her hand and building her own brand that would exemplify those values.
We kind of went over most of them above, but lets recap: Reusing and repurposing our waste by making totes/pouches and donating scraps to be made into paper. Only using recycled or reused boxes to ship, and now introducing compostable mailers. And using business cards and hang tags that are made from repurposed cotton waste. We also only use organic certified cotton, and other GOTs or Oeko-Tex certified materials, as well as hemp and recycled polyester.
As for now on the day-to-day team, its only me. However, when I do work with others, usually only during photoshoots, everyone is paid to an agreed upon price – negotiations are always welcome and when its possible to adjust the budget, I do. However being such a small brand, there are times that I cannot afford a certain talent and in that case I would rather not work with them then to have them reduce their cost. As a maker, I know that you need to stick to what you know you are worth and I have the utmost respect for other creatives. I also sometimes do trades with other creatives or talent so that we are both pleased with the outcome!10 – How do you find inspiration for new products?
Since weve been around for a while now, we find inspiration in a two ways – the first being from styles that sell the best. If a certain style is a bestseller well pin-point what makes this style so beloved and try and keep that vibe going into new items. The second way is honestly through the beauty of nature. Youll probably notice that all our collections are named after natural things; Sands, Under the Stars, Icebergs, Amethyst, Wildflowers.. and our next one will be inspired by Moths! Lights of All is very much about protecting and being kind to the natural world, but its also kind of a reflection and appreciation of it. Im constantly in awe and really mesmerized by the natural beauty and magic of this planet. Im always trying to capture that and demonstrate it through my own voice.
Sustainable Fashion | Top 10 Questions and Answers | Learn with Samita
Is it classic and timeless?
Clean shapes and classic silhouettes are essential for clothes that are simple pieces yet very versatile. Have the goal to wear them for a long time and combine them easily into different outfits. Dont buy clothes that are trendy and fall out of style quickly. A more classic and timeless look is preferable to support sustainable fashion. Its about creating a wardrobe made to last. Follow my ultimate guide on the minimalist fashion trend to dress with simple fashion aesthetics that are amazing for the eye and the environment.
Is it durable and high quality?
The best way to promote sustainable fashion is to buy fewer clothes but of higher quality. Consider buying pieces of clothing that have a very long lifespan. Well-made garments with durable and resistant materials are the way forward. It might be more expensive at first but you will save money in the long run by having to change clothes less often.
Best of #FRUSA 2020: a Year Fashioning a Revolution
Before we kiss 2020 goodbye, let´s take a moment to look back and reflect on all the campaigns, events,…
The turning point for me—and when I realized the severity of the global environmental crisis—was when I traveled to China in 2011. I was working on Overdressed, and I went to the southern factory cities, around Shenzhen. The air and water pollution due to factory production was horrific. The environmental price that China was paying to be the factory of the world was clear. But obviously we all share in the burden for global warming. And after that, I started thinking more about fashion’s role in environmental degradation but also as a tool for change.
I estimate that at least half of our clothing purchases are items that we either will never or rarely wear, many of which are purchased because they’re heavily discounted. We can focus on those bad buys and price-motivated purchases and eliminate them. Basically cut out those items you’re not in love with. The second strategy would be to buy more of your wardrobe second hand, swap and borrow clothes from friends and people in your community, and consider giving clothing rental and subscription schemes a try. Renting and buying second hand is a great option for special occasions, travel, festivals or any other event where you’re unlikely to wear a garment more than once or twice. The last strategy that consumers can use to tackle fashion waste is to maintain and repair their clothes, so that clothes last as long as possible and can be passed on to others. It sounds intimidating, but clothing maintenance can be easy and very fulfilling. Most stains can be removed with common stain removers available at any drug store or grocery store if you treat them immediately. Deodorant stains can also be removed if treated immediately. Cheap sewing repair kits are also available at most grocer and drug store. You really don’t need to know how to sew to sew a button back on; there are an abundance of two-minute youTube videos for those who want some instruction.
With consumers there is a general belief that donating unwanted clothes to charity/clothing bins is a good solution, as they will be going to someone who needs them. In reality, only a very small % actually end up being sold in 2nd hand shops in our own communities. What can you tell me about this ?
I want to go back to basics for people that have no real understanding of the problems associated with rising consumption habits and in particular, the waste this generates. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation states that approximately 75% of textiles produced globally are sent to landfill each year – that’s 3 out of every 4 garments. With over 100b garments produced annually, that’s a lot of clothes! Why is clothing / textile waste going to landfill such a problem?
You’re asking what happens to the clothes that aren’t landfilled? They’re sold and worn. But I believe what you’re asking is what happens to unwanted clothes that are donated instead of thrown away. Of the 3.8 billion pounds of unwanted clothes that finds its way to charities and donation bins, a little less than half is reusable as clothes. Some of those clothes are sold in thrift stores in the U.S. (or country of collection) but the majority is exported to other countries. The remaining half that is unwearable is sold off to “downcylers” who churn it up and turn it into wiping rags, insulation, carpet padding, and a variety of other products. As you can see, what’s missing in this system is actual recycling technology, where old clothes are used as the raw materials for new clothes. There are many companies working toward true disruption and innovation in this process and hopefully we are on the cusp of change.
FAQ
What are the key factors in sustainable fashion?
What questions are asked in a fashion interview?
- Why are you interested in a career in fashion?
- Tell me about your educational background.
- Walk me through your resume.
- What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?
- What interests you about this specific role?
- What do you know about our company?
- Who do you follow in the fashion industry?
What do you look for in sustainable fashion?
What are the problems with sustainable fashion?
