When a specific brand or product catches my eye, I screen capture it or click on the “save” ribbon icon on Instagram. Seeing at the ridiculous amount of photos I’ve accumulated on my phone over the past weeks, I realized I was long overdue for a #VeryPicky post. In case you need a refresh: the idea here is to share with you my current favourites from indie brands that are, most of the time, either produced ethically and/or locally. Let’s do this!
Talking with people about local fashion has made me realize one thing: many want to support local brands and designers, but they just don’t know where to look to find the nice ones. How about if they were all gathered in one place? Well that’s exactly what Trendays is about. Halfway between a social platform and an e-shop, the website gathers more than 30 brands and a highly curated selection of clothes and accessories (I would honestly wear 95% of them). I’m also doing an ongoing collaboration with the platform meaning that I will regularly be updating my list of favourites on their website. To discover the ones I’ve gathered so far, head over to my profile, right here. And while you’re at it, you should create your own account too ;)
Resin Handbags by Respiro Studio
I first heard about those little resin handbags through Reece Blutstein’s Instagram account (like the third of my fashion discoveries, actually). Am I in love with them because they remind me of the lunch box I used to carry around in elementary school or because they look like melted candy? Probably a bit of both. Handmade in Australia, they’re part of a bigger company called Valet which is specialized in equally beautiful resin accessories.
“I accept the great adventure of being me”, Simone de Beauvoir. That’s the quote you’ll find on the “about” page of the this Toronto-based company. A feminist muse to embellish my feminine parts? Yes, please. The beautiful undergarments are cut in Italian fabrics and the rest of the making process, from sewing to embroidery, is taken care of in the Canadian metropolis. As much as I’d happily wear everything on their website, I must admit that I have a soft spot for their lunar bralette and their briefs decorated with a Tarot hand. Mystically girly.
Sportswear by Girlfriend Collective
If all brands could follow in the foot steps of Girlfriend Collective, the world would be a much better place. The Seattle-based company designs sports garments all made from recycled water bottles (their Compressive legging uses 25 of them) or from ECONYL, a textile made out of recycled fish nets or other wastes which would have otherwise been left adrift in our oceans. That’s not all, their factory in Vietnam is certified SA8000: no child labor, safe working conditions and the right to unionize. In terms of salaries, they start at 125% of the national minimum wage and lunches and semi-annual health check-ups are covered by the company.
Reusable Make-Up Removing Pads by Öko
How many make-up removing pads do you use per day? If you use toner in the morning and evening and take off your makeup before going to bed, that’s at least three everyday. That’s 1095 wipes per year. For both the good of your finances and environment, I highly suggest you try these reusable ones by Öko, a Quebec brand. Composed of 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton, they can be washed by hand or in the machine and used over and over again (I’ve been using the same pair for the last two months).
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