FOR ANYONE OUT THERE WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH YOUR WORK, PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
My name is Megan Duffield and I am the designer and creator behind Duffield Design. I started my company two years ago with a lot of research, 3 years of fashion design under my belt, and a bit of help from the YMCA, thanks guys!
WHY ECO FRIENDLY DESIGN?
Why Eco Clothing…because this is where my values lie, because the world is ready to shift and because we can.
The way the majority of the fashion industry is operating currently is unsustainable and exploits workers and the environment unnecessarily for the sake of the bottom line a.k.a money. We have the technology to shift and hopefully the consciousness to treat other human beings with respect and dignity. I’m ready for a change, so I’m helping to create it.
EVER SINCE HIGH SCHOOL YOU HAVE ALWAYS PUT A TWIST ON YOUR OWN CLOTHES (YES, WE REMEMBER SOME OF YOUR CRAZY PANTS!) AT WHAT POINT DID YOU DECIDE TO PURSUE A CAREER IN FASHION DESIGN?
Really, you remember those huh? Well things have definitely improved! My decision to pursue fashion was actually quite serendipitous. I had applied for photography and was accepted, but was put on the waiting list for the next year. Being eager, or possibly impatient, I settled on my second option, Fashion Design. I really can’t express my gratitude towards the powers that be for making this simple choice for me. I truly have a passion and love for the work, and couldn’t picture myself in any other roll then the one I’m playing right now.
HOW DO YOU SOURCE YOUR ETHICAL, ECO FRIENDLY FABRICS?
Good question, with great care. This is a fairly new industry and the availability as well as the transparency of fashion forward Eco Fabrics is scarce but there if you dig. When I began my business it was really important to me to source only Canadian made Eco fabrics, which I now know is currently impossible. There are factors involved that I didn’t count on, such as the deterioration of the textile and garment manufacturing industry in Canada. As most people know allot of our garments and textiles are now made overseas which makes sourcing Canadian made textiles quite difficult. Also there are restrictions to what Canada can grow due to climate and regulations. For example Canada is one of the largest growers of Hemp yet we cannot grow it for the purpose of making fabric, go figure?
The things I do look for when sourcing fabric:
Ethical Supply Chain, fare wages and working conditions, transparency in the supply chain.
Quality environmentally friendly material, for example is the source sustainable? i.e. bamboo, organic cotton, hemp. Is it durable, able to withstand washing and wearing? Biodegradable, when you’re done with the garment, can it be composted?
Local? As addressed above difficult for the whole process to be made locally, but I do have a supplier for a wonderful organic knit in Montreal!
Anyway long answer short, I source the majority my material from ethical Canadian suppliers and manufacturers as well as a few great textile supplier / manufactures in the United States.
WHAT DO YOU CURRENTLY HAVE PLAYING ON YOUR iPOD?
Carole King
Joni Michelle
Leonard Cohen
Stan Rogers
I’m in an old school phase.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
The arboretum at the experimental farm and my own back yard. I just recently moved back to Dunrobin last November with my partner and best friend. We are currently living on a 12 acre wooded lot with a forest and trail system in the back which seems to run for miles. The forest, wildlife and something about digging in the dirt and getting back to the earth, that inspires me.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO COLLABORATE WITH SLAYSH?
I’m so excited to be working with this great boutique in the heart of the Glebe, and so honoured that Sarah chose us to celebrate 5 years of great clothing at Slaysh. I’ve seen Sarah take Slaysh to a whole new level this year, and am thrilled to be part of the action as she gets ready for five more successful years! Congratulation Sarah, and Thank-you for the opportunity to work together.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Duffield-Design/157652887621910
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/DuffieldDesign
