How to make sure that clothing and artwork is ethical — My Ethics

I know that making the decision to purchase a new product comes with a huge weight of ethical considerations. I am not interested in adding to the terrible practices, or human and environmental damages that occur because of product production. I believe that all objects carry energy, and I never want to have the energy of pain and suffering in the things I create.

Ethical Clothing-

All of my clothing is created from start to finish by a well paid local team in the city of Montreal. The high-quality performance fabric is EcoPoly fibre, which requires 70% less water, energy, and heat than traditional production methods. The fabric is milled and printed by a local company, and finished by my local team of seamsters who start at well above a minimum wage. All of the studio’s paper waste is recycled in the city and excess clothing items or imperfect garments are donated to inner-city shelters.

The one exception to the fabric sourcing are the t-shirts, which are purchased from Bella Canvas before they’re printed in house in Montreal. Bella Canvas strives to be a zero-waste company and adheres to the WRAP program for workplace standards. They greatly reduce waste from manufacturing through recycling programs. They also reduce energy and waste through the use of use solar panels, smart lighting, and efficient dye machines.

All of my clothing is high quality, which will extend it’s wear time and reduce the amount of products you need to buy in your lifetime. This is not fast fashion! It is also printed to order, which means that there is no waste created because of stock that doesn’t sell.

Ethical Art-

All of the raw materials for my stained glass is sourced from local small producers and shops. The glass I prioritize is completely unique and made small-batch from other artists like myself. I also purchase the foils and solders form local communities and avoid purchasing from overseas or companies like Amazon.

The crystals that I use in my art are also collected ethically. I prioritize purchasing from individuals who have found the stones themselves, or have sourced them from ethical providers. I also use a lot of second hand product or hunt stones myself. I avoid using crystals that have dubious origins or bad mining practices.

Any animal products that I use in my work also comes from ethical producers. I’ve been a vegetarian for 18 years and am against killing animals for anything that isn’t necessary. The animal products I use are either gleaned from found carcasses, animal bi-products that would otherwise be waste, or from indigenous tribes who hunt in ethical ways.

Charities-

I believe that giving back is one of the best ways to offset some of the problems of producing new products. Although I don’t make a lot doing what I do, I am still more financially free than many people in the world. That’s why 10% of all my profits go to humanitarian and environmental charities.

Kiva-

Kiva is a crowdfunding charity where you can donate money to lend to disadvantaged small-scale entrepreneurs to help them create a sustainable life and business. Any money that gets paid back from the initial loan can get automatically lent out to others that need it. I prioritize supporting other women in disadvantaged countries, so they can create a life and business that’s financially free.

Donate to Kiva

WildAid-

WildAid is an environmental charity that focuses on protecting keystone species and educating local populations. Their large scale media campaigns and re-education programs help change community attitudes and government policy. They have measurably reduced global consumption of wildlife products, increased local support for conservation efforts and reduced climate change impacts.

Donate to WildAid

Other Charities-

I also have rotating charity partnerships that I work with on a regular basis. This years charity is b green, a Montreal company that seeks to connect purchasers with the sustainable products they need. Check out the limited edition “Legacy Forests,” fundraiser below!

b green's Legacy Forests Fundraiser

Support the app that will help change the face of our planet!

Healing the planet is the biggest issue of our time. Without a sustained planet, none of us survive. One of the ways we can contribute to the healing is to support initiatives that offer solutions for clean living.

B green is a free local green business locator and directory. Environmental businesses give a discount to subscribers. All the proceeds from the app go towards environmental conservation and tree planting!