Eco Fashion World

  Racheal F

Eco Fashion World recently headed to Toronto's One of a Kind show to check out the unique eco creations this trade show had to offer! Here are some of amazing brands that sold their wares at one of Canada's best attended trade shows.

Racheal F is a brand that’s defining eco-Canadian luxury. Stunning hunting hats made of repurposed leather and fur are silkscreened in limited edition prints. Earmuffs, belts, bags and even adorable earrings are all carefully crafted to exquisite perfection. Bravo!

The Paddock / Noujica  

You may remember Toronto designer Carrie Haye's from her sustainable fashion line CARRIE. Since she last came into the spotlight in 2008 with the Toronto Fashion Incubator's Lulu. B. award, she’s rebranded, launching a bespoke line under her name. She also has a ready-to-wear line Paddock, which features sustainable fabrics like bamboo, organic cotton and silk.

Noujica is an accessories line out of Montreal that makes you want to live in the cold. Beautiful 100% organic cotton scarves wrap around and are fascinated with buttons. Check out their website for images of everything from their fantastic and affordable belts to corsets made of recycled leather, along with jewelry and unisex scarves.

Toronto is the city for remade fashion. Precocious offers up a feminine, flirtatious line that is well known for sweater vests and the perfect summer dress.

Atelier B is a collaboration of Catherine Metivier and Anne-Marie Laflamme. They came to fame quickly in Montreal, even getting listed on the popular Whose's Next blog without even having a commercially available line yet! With a stylish boutique on Rue St. Laurent, this well tailored line of basics that can be worn from the brasserie to the bureau and is well positioned to be the staple in your wardrobe.

Want the perfect pair of adorable mitts for winter? Look no further. Toronto's Slo by Sarah Ottenwell offers mitts and other accessories that are handmade with love from reclaimed sweaters so no two pairs are alike.

Truth Belts are celebrating 10 years in business with these slim, elastic belts that are completely vegan. Styles can range from sleek and stylish to bright and quirky. Some materials used are hemp, jute and cotton.

Viola's Andreanne Dandeneau channels her Metis roots into contemporary fashion. Loose draped tunics, tops with crocheted detailing at the shoulders, stylish hoodies and perfect wrap dresses are created by hand in Winnipeg.

Dalish is a revolutionary makeup system where you can blend yourself three colours of foundation to create the perfect match for your skin. It's like magic. It's also vegan, made in Canada, and non-toxic. Fabulous lip-glosses and mascara can create the perfect look in 5 minutes. Owner/creator Melanie Crushack shows off her range of cosmetics and the perfect glow it can give anyone.

One had to stop walking by the Matter Company booth due to the incredible soothing, natural and delicious scents travelling from their displays. Their philosophy? "At Matter Company, we embrace a holistic approach to personal care which recognizes the relationship between our natural environment and our physical and emotional well being". And they’re made in Toronto! The Winter Kit, which is the 'All Heal Slave' and 'Heat Rub' is only $25 CND.

Mari Cla Ro turns old billboards and cars into fashionable and useful bags and accessories in Toronto. Their combination of style and ethics earned them the 2011 Globe National Small Business Award.

This year designer Susan Harris was inducted into the One-of-a-Kind's 'Hall of Fame'. She was a pioneer in the remade scene in Toronto, and has been participating at the One-of-a-Kind show for 20 years. Here she offers some wonderful silkscreened remade Christmas stockings for $25 CND.

Annie Thompson offers some great sustainable pieces in her collection. This asymmetrical organic modal dress is a great holiday piece for $265 CND.

Inspired by friends having babies, Lillian Chiu's birthed the children's line Bamboo Lilly. Milled and made in Toronto out of Bamboo, the "Miso Cute" top and "Tears of Furry" tee's and onesies are the perfect gift for little ones at just $25 CND.

Yah Bags Missisauga mom Melissa makes fantastically whimsical but practical bags out of antique flour sacks, and other reclaimed materials. Instead of adding to the cliche of "green is burlap sacks," she takes this idea and turns it on its head with beautiful high-end totes and bags.

Montreal designers seemed to take over the one of a kind show. Comme Ca uses felted merino wool, and reclaimed leather offering bags, wallets, placemats, and iPad covers.

Broken skateboards and cut offs from local woodworkers find new life with Billy Would. Out of BC, Adea Chung creates beautiful accessories with west coast motifs like ravens and sitka trees. Simple basics like belt-buckles and cuff links created from the graphic side of the skateboards add a splash of colour to any man's wardrobe.

Sartoria is based on regenerative design: which is defined as "processes that restore, renew and/or revitalize their own sources of energy and materials, creating sustainable systems that integrate the needs of society with the integrity of nature." Warm underthings are a necessity in cold winters, and Saratori's line of men and women's long johns, underwear, bralettes, onesies, camisoles and briefs made from reclaimed soft merino wool and cashmere will have you caroling all winter long. Custom colours are available by request.

Sustainable made-in-Canada winter jackets? Montrealers know how to laugh in old-man-winter's face with serious style. This 'Fatal Attraction' long jacket retails for only $650 CND. CoKlutch has a very tight collection of jackets, vests, purses, belts, gloves, hats and jewelry. The silk-screened illustrations are a stylish celebration of nature and the details of the collection are reminiscent of glam rock.  

Made in Toronto, Jennifer Fukushima's line Paper People Clothing has been a staple brand at Fresh Collective Stores for years. At the show, she offered cute hats, scarves, heart mittens and leg and arm warmers starting at $32 CND. Blazers, shrugs, skirts and dresses are all simply designed to accent a women's figure and can be worn at the office or at a party. Watch out for this brand as Jennifer always seems to know what’s going to be the next big trend before it happens.

EFW writer Meg Orlinski is a Deadly Nightshade.

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