The Shawinigan & Shenzhen comparison: Ethical fashion, serial fashion...
In our advertisements, you have probably already noticed that we happily use the Anglicism "Made in Shawi". A nod to mass production made in China , for our small workshop productions in Shawinigan in Mauricie. By observing this comparison more closely, we realize that more and more, we want to be able to choose objects of life, foods, articles made in Quebec, or at least, in Canada. Buying local, easier said than done? We can look at the advantages, as well as the missions for the future.
Eco-responsible versus textile pollution:
Here is the LOLA jacket.
Here is the path of creation of an item X found in large shelves.
When we create our clothes, as for example for the jacket here, we make sure to take the most eco-responsible path possible, in harmony with our ethical values, by making the most favorable choices accessible for the environment. It starts with the choice of natural fibres. In this case, hemp (read our post about the values of the fibers used HERE ) , or all our other creations that are either made of bamboo, or even organic cotton.
When the fabrics arrive, Karine the designer creates patterns for the next collections, following the needs of the seasons.
The fabric scraps will either be used to make patchwork-style underwear, or donated to local artisans who use them in their creations, such as KahlCito , Pwark , Trait d'Union .
Some of the recut fabrics from our clothes that will be reused.
Over the course of a year, Abaka will release two collections; one fall-winter and one spring-summer. One will include long and warmer clothes, and the other lighter items, to adapt as much to the " multi-polar" climate of Quebec, as elsewhere in the world*.
The frequency of new collections in major fashion stores is every two weeks. We overload the shelves, we bombard the customer with offers, always offering growing discounts, where the manufacturer will always profit... even on a $5 t-shirt. It gives an idea of the conditions of manufacture and the overall quality. In addition, as we know, unsold stocks are necessarily sheared, slashed to be importable and then thrown away. An outrageous waste with planetary propensities!
If you come to the store at Abaka, you can also discover our collections, discover articles from Quebec artisans who respect the same environmental values. Whether it's body products, jewelry, fashion accessories .
If you shop at big chains, chances are you won't be able to find what was there a few days ago on the shelves. Not because everything has been sold, but because we want to push new products at full price with a bigger profit margin.
So, in short, in all conscience, the only advantage of shopping in large chains would certainly be a lower cost at the time. We all have an item for which we had a "spontaneous crush" that ended up at the bottom of the wardrobe, broken after two washes. We believe it is more beneficial for all of us to invest in pieces that will stay with you, for a long time. In all eco-comfortability !...
* When we say that our clothes are appreciated by travelers! ;) Credit Marc-André Valiquette, in Nepal with his ÉTIENNE boxers in black .
