Eco Fashion Week: 81 Pound Challenge

My favourite part of Eco Fashion Week is always the Value Village runway shows. Their 81 Pound Challenge aims to bring awareness to the amount of clothing waste we make each year, and shows just what can be done with that waste through upcycling! Every year, the average person throws away 81 pounds of textiles. That's a massive amount! The really concerning part is that just a few years ago, it used to be called the 68 Pound Challenge, but new statistics have been released since then showing that number has continued to rise.

Evan Biddell, the winner of Project Runway Canada Season 1 was the designer tasked with creating an entire runway show from the 81 pounds of clothes this year. Take a look below to see his incredible eco-friendly creations! I've included photos from the Toronto Women's Fashion Week runway show from earlier this year, since Vancouver's showcase did not include a full runway show of Evan's collection. Instead, Eco Fashion Week displayed the 81 Pound Challenge in a unique setting at the Museum of Vancouver, which allowed guests to get up close and personal with each piece, to see how it was constructed! Isn't it inspiring to see what he was able to create with all those old garments?

While at Eco Fashion Week this year, I was very grateful to have the opportunity to share my eco-friendly thrifting hacks with ET Canada's host Erin Cebula, as part of their coverage of Eco Fashion Week in Vancouver. Click to watch the video below, and maybe you'll pick up a few tips for the next time you're thrifting at Value Village!

Again, I also wanted to show my Eco Fashion Week outfit, entired thrifted from my favourite thrift stores, Value Village and Salvation Army. All the details are below!

Coat - Zara $39.99 (via Salvation Army)

Jumpsuit - Zara $13.99 (via Salvation Army)

Blouse - Loft 82 $8.99 (via Value Village)

Heels - Call It Spring $12.99 (via Value Village)

              Purse - Aldo $12.99 (via Value Village)            

Total = $88.95

[ runway photos by Jonathan Hooper ]

Happy (Eco) Styling! xo

~ Britta

Earth Day: Time to Think About our Fashion Impact!

Today, April 22nd is Earth Day! There are so many ways that we can make our lives a little greener with small changes to the things we do everyday. I don't claim to be some eco-guru by any stretch, but for me, thrift shopping is one of the ways I feel I can help lessen my impact on the planet. How exactly does thrifting do that?

It's all about reducing our footprint on the clothing industry, and reusing: putting less stress on our Earth's resources, which are used to create new clothing. By thrifting at your local thrift store, like Value Village, you can find all kinds of amazing fashion finds that have been pre-loved, but are still in great condition. And of course, part of thrifting also includes donating your old clothes too. Rather than throwing your old clothes away and taking up space in a landfill, the clothes could instead be going to a new home where they'll be loved again. Sadly, according to Value Village, 52% of Vancouverites threw away unwanted clothing or household goods in 2016 instead of donating. That's just crazy! Those are items that can be easily donated, keeping them out of our landfills.

Interestingly, 45% of Vancouverites said they buy used clothing or household items to save money, as opposed to being environmentally conscious (10%). This was definitely me many years ago. I really had no idea that thrifting was considered eco-friendly! So, if you didn't know before...you do now!

Since it's spring cleaning season right now, I thought hey, what better time to encourage you all to start thinking about thrifting more? Go through your housewares and clothes, pack up what you no longer want, and donate it at your local Value Village! Also need a spring fashion refresh? Why not pop inside one of their stores to do a little thrift shopping. Plus, it's basically guilt-free shopping, 'cause it's cheap and eco-friendly!

Below, I'm sharing some of my favourite thrifted finds, to hopefully inspire you to get out there and get thrifting!

Store: Value Village

Brand: Vivienne Westwood (Red Label)

Store Section: Blazers

What I Paid: $2.99 (was 50% off $5.99)

What it Costs New: $875

Store: Value Village

Brand: Black Halo

Store Section: Dresses

What I Paid: $12.99

What it Costs New: $345 (find it new here and a slightly longer version here)

Store: Value Village

Brand: Bianca Nygard

Store Section: Jackets

What I Paid: $19.99

What it Costs New: ~ 100

Store: Value Village

Brand: Joe Fresh

Section: Jackets

What I Paid: $2.99!!! (Half price on 50% off sale day)

Store: Salvation Army

Brand: J.Crew

Section: Sweaters (Large - always make sure to comb ALL the sizes! you never know how it will fit)

What I Paid: $9.99

What it's Worth: $295

Store: Salvation Army

Brand: BCBGMaxAzria

Section: Blazers

What I Paid: $9.99

What it's Worth: $250

Happy Earth Day! xo

~ Britta