Recycled fabric fashion show a chance to model eco-friendly designs
A fashion show on Wednesday evening featuring clothes produced from recycled fabrics will act as a showcase for local women learning how to turn their designs into thriving businesses.
The show, called Metamorphosis, is being put on by EcoEquitable, a charity that provides temporary employment and skills development training through small-scale textile recycling.
The fashion showcase is the brainchild of Isabel Sebastiao, who first discovered the charity when her son was working on a high school science fair in Ottawa.
Last year, Sebastiao organized the first show. This year she's one of the designers, and her specialty is reusing the fabric from clothing already in her closet.
"It's upcycling because you're transforming something you already have," said Sebastiao. "So you basically make it beautiful again and change it somehow."
Anouk Bertner, director of business operations at EcoEquitable, said the reuse of textiles is a key part of the charity's philosophy.
"EcoEquitable last year recycled 7,000 pounds of fabric. This year we're on track to recycle 10,000 pounds of fabric," said Bertner.
Skills, language needs of students differ
Bertner said some of the people who take the sewing and business courses at the centre are new to Canada, while others are looking for a new start or a new career.
That's how Michelle Ferranti ended up in front of an EcoEquitable sewing machine. She immigrated to Ottawa from New Jersey and said that with her background in theatrical costume design, pivoting into fashion design made sense.
Eight of Ferranti's creations will be featured in the fashion show.
"The models will be wearing them on the runway. At this point I'm really needing feedback," said Ferranti. "I'm not ready to launch a business yet, but I'm eager to see what's working about my collection and especially know what's not working."
Other women who seek help at EcoEquitable come without a sewing background and with few words of English.
Charlene Elgee, a volunteer, said the diversity can be a challenge.
"There are language difficulties sometimes, but somehow we manage with sign language, whatever we need to do to show how to work the machines," said Elgee.
Bertner hopes the runway fashion show and market continues to grow as an annual event.
