Earth Day

SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 2022 11 EARTH DAY 2022 Timeless fashion By Jim Timlick I t's no secret that mining and the energy sector are some of the biggest polluters in North America, but you might be sur- prised to learn that the fashion industry is a major contributor to our pollution problem as well. A recent study indicated that North Ameri- cans send more than 10 million tonnes of cloth- ing to landfills every year. In Canada, that trans- lates into the average person throwing out the equivalent of 81 pounds of clothes annually. The situation hasn't gone unnoticed by fash- ion producers or consumers. In fact, it's prompt- ed a response that has come to be known as time- less fashion. Timeless fashion can include anything from a cashmere sweater to a plain black dress shirt. The one common denominator is that the item has been built to pass the test of time and trend. And it's something an increasing number of consum- ers are demanding when it comes to making de- cisions about their wardrobe. "Oh, 100 per cent," says fashion designer Lennard Taylor, the founder of Lennard Taylor Design Studio in the Exchange District. "People are becoming more and more conscious of where their clothing is being made, how it's being made and how long they're going to have it for." "Timeless fashion is essentially clothing that you can wear forever. It's never going out of season; it's never going out of style. It's a piece you're going to have for a long, long time. Cloth- ing is expensive, but if you've got something that you can wear over and over again, your price per wear comes way down." It's a subject that's been near and dear to Tay- lor's heart since he founded his company nearly 18 years ago. From the start, his focus has been on producing stunning, one-of-a-kind timeless fashion pieces that "make you feel good" and can be worn indefinitely. That includes everything from designer dresses and jackets to tops and bottoms. "It's pretty much how I live my life," Taylor says of his focus on timeless fashion. "If you look at my wardrobe, I don't have a lot of clothes. For me, clothing is about how it makes you feel. If it makes you feel good, wear it and wear it every day." Taylor's fashions are so beloved by buyers that when they become ripped or stained, they will often return them to him stitch them up or deco- rate them so they can continue to be worn. As part of his company's focus on timeless fashion, Taylor is constantly on the lookout for the most sustainable fabrics available and the latest technology available to improve the qual- ity of the products he produces. Another major focus of the designer and his staff is the company's zero-waste policy. Virtual- ly nothing from its local production facility ends up in the garbage. Even the cuttings from its fashions are used to create pillows, headbands, scarves and other items. Lennard Taylor also offers what he refers to as its Refresh program. If someone has an item pro- duced by the studio they no longer wish to wear, they can return it and receive a $25 in-store credit. The item is then cleaned and refreshed and resold at a lower price or transformed into a completely new piece. "I found there were a lot of clients who wouldn't throw out a garment because I made it, but they wouldn't ever wear it again because they changed shape or they're a different size now," Taylor says of what prompted him to start the program. "The Refresh garments go really fast because they're beautiful and people are getting a great garment for less. It's one of the most popular sec- tions in my store. We're good Winnipeggers and we like a good deal," he adds, laughing. Taylor sees the demand for more sustainable fashions ramping up in the years to come. "I definitely see it increasing. More and more people are awakening to what the true cost of clothing is and how it's made." To learn more about Lennard Taylor's approach to fashion, visit www.lennardtaylor.com or drop by his boutique in person at 246 McDermot Ave. " People are becoming more and more conscious of where their clothing is being made, how it's being made and how long they're go- ing to have it for." – Lennard Taylor Fashion designer Lennard Taylor Design Studio focuses on timeless fashion. (Photos by Darcy Finley)

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