In a world full of fast-fashion, a local Toronto company brings sustainable eco-friendly style to the city.
I visited the Blossom and Bloom show on Mother’s Day weekend and meet Sheryl Luz. She is the founder of Artisella, an e-commerce fashion retailer showcasing brands that value ethics, sustainability and style. Our conversation explored how she began her business and what sustainable fashion means.
Sheryl has been working in the fashion industry for a number of years but her choice to highlight sustainable fashion began with the Bangladeshi factory collapse in 2013. The death of more than 1100 workers and injures of another 2500 workers encouraged her to make people aware of the impact fashion choices have on the world. She incorporated her knowledge from various parts of the world to start her ethical business in Toronto.
Sustainability Defined
- Fair Trade: Putting people over profit
- Eco-friendly: Safe materials from production to disposal
- Vegan: Abstaining from using animal products
- Artisan: Products that preserve culture and tradition
- Handmade: Not mass-produced
- Made in Canada: Supporting local talent having like-minded interests
By upcycling my own jewellery, I fully understand the utilization of existing materials and how much more I cherish handmade products.
Sustainable Brands
Each brand under Artisella believes in “slow fashion” which is broken down into sustainability, supply chain and story. FashionABLE looks towards creating economic opportunity for women who used to be sex workers in Ethiopia. All manufacturers and suppliers are required to employ fair wages for the women, fair hiring practices and use of ethically sourced materials. When someone purchases the jewellery, these women are able to send their kids to school or aim for a better future for themselves.
Sustainable fashion puts the artisans who make the products in the spotlight. No one talks about that – it’s all brand, brand, brand – but really there are people behind the product.
The concept of sustainable fashion really resonates with me having worked at Lush. A beauty brand that stresses on similar brand values of not testing on animals, ethically sourcing ingredients and fair trade practices, to name a few. Customers can buy knot wraps made by women from India. I can only hope sustainable fashion is here to stay, even with the likes of fast fashion brands. Leave a comment below with your take on sustainable fashion.
16 Comments
Jocelyn
August 4, 2017 at 1:10 AMI love the dainty earrings! The fact that they are sustainable/ vegan is a huge plus. Do you know if they are nickel free?
Mariam
August 4, 2017 at 2:04 PMMe too! Great for everyday. I’m not sure if these particular ones are nickel free, since they do not mention it on their website. I’m linking (https://www.artisella.ca/shop-all/circle-cut-out-stud-perf-pt5y7) other’s that clearly state that they are. However, just to be sure I would contact Artisella.
Gabrielle Crystal RoseBonniee ~
August 4, 2017 at 3:46 PMSo minimalistic yet so pretty! I really like jewellery like this °₊·ˈIt also looks so “natural” ♥
Blog de la Licorne
Mariam
August 4, 2017 at 4:15 PMMe too, Gabriella! I love chunky pieces as well but with dainty jewellery like this you can stack up 🙂
sonali jain
August 4, 2017 at 3:49 PMhey are sustainable/ vegan is a huge plus. need some of them now 🙂 They are beautiful too!
Mariam
August 4, 2017 at 4:19 PMAbsolutely, Sonali! I’m so happy that brands are making vegan products – whether fashion or food.
Stefanie de deyne
August 4, 2017 at 3:59 PMI totaly agree that something handmade is always more fun. I think bringing awareness to sustainable fashion is very important. Great post!
Mariam
August 4, 2017 at 4:19 PMI couldn’t agree more!
Paige Strand
August 4, 2017 at 4:25 PMEco-friendly and Canadian? Yes please! Also love the earrings
Mariam
August 4, 2017 at 9:22 PMHaha! Exactly- made in Canada. I’m sold.
Erin
August 4, 2017 at 10:38 PMWow! Thanks for posting on such a great company! I love shopping locally in Springfield because many of the places will give some of their profit to help others in poverty or help stop trafficking and things. It is wonderful knowing that you are helping someone with just buying a pretty piece of jewelry!
Mariam
August 6, 2017 at 10:15 PMIt’s wonderful, I know. I’ve been supporting local Canadian brands for some time, especially because they source their materials from sustainable resources.
Lisa Marie Heath
August 4, 2017 at 11:20 PMThose necklaces are beautiful! I also really love the dainty earrings. THey are little but eyecatching!
Mariam
August 6, 2017 at 10:15 PM“Little but eye-catching” – I like that!
Alison
August 5, 2017 at 9:30 PMThese are really pretty, I much prefer simple jewelry. And the story and sustainability behind it all is so great!
Mariam
August 6, 2017 at 10:16 PMAbsolutely! They make great layering pieces 🙂