By: Souzan Michael, FW Writer

If you haven’t already discovered the chic fashions of Cherry Blossom, you’re in luck. Fashion Weekly talks to Ryerson grads Sasha Hamilton and Courtney Munden about combining their love for fashion and the environment.

FW: How and when did Cherry Blossom begin?
S & C: Both of us are big fans of the book “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things” [and] after attending a lecture by one of the authors, Michael Braungart, we couldn’t stop thinking that [we] needed to do something. We agreed that the fashion industry needs to be careful in the way it’s proceeding with sustainable design. Designers and companies use organic cotton but then the fabric is dyed with harmful chemicals and the majority of the time ethical production methods are overseen. About a year and a half ago we decided to make a collection that, rather than just using renewable or recycled fabrics, considers the entire process – from the collection of the raw materials to the disposal or reuse of all components of the product.
As well as promoting social responsibility, local industries and the use of new, innovative technologies and textiles, we wanted to prove that [we] can make a really cool, fun, wearable collection the right way.

FW: Why do you think it’s important to create an eco-friendly line?
S & C: It’s easy to create beautiful clothes, but the challenge is making beautiful clothes that are also making a positive impact on the world. The fashion industry can be very superficial and frivolous, which neither one of us really supports, but [by] creating an eco-friendly clothing line we are able to express our creativity and push a positive message about the environment and ethical business practices which have grown to be what is most important to us.

FW: How would you describe the Canadian fashion industry, particularly in Toronto? Is there anything you would change about it?
S & C: The Canadian fashion industry is very challenging. It is a very small and competitive industry to be in and while Canada has many great, talented designers, many leave this country to ultimately find success in the US or Europe. With the rich diversity that Toronto has to offer, and the talented designers that live within this city, I think the Canadian fashion industry has a bright future.

FW: Describe Cherry Blossom’s style philosophy.
S & C: Cherry Blossom is aimed to fulfill the edgy, girly side of women. We look at the juxtaposition of 2 styles; young girly details like bows and frills and then mix it with the raw sex appeal of rock and roll. Women want to feel feminine and sexy, but at the same time in control and unique, and this is what Cherry Blossom aims to [do]. We offer sexy, girly clothes which would make an alternative rocker feel like a woman, and edgy details that make the average woman feel as though she could kick some ass. It is a fine line, but Cherry Blossom fuses these two worlds seamlessly.

FW: What are your favourite pieces in the line?
S & C: [T]he structured woven dress which uses eco-intelligent polyester (a polyester which can be put into a continuous production cycle that will never end up in a landfill and does not release harmful chemicals during the recycling process) and our 100% biodegradable distressed leggings. [T]hey work so well together with the [combination] of the feminine flowing lines of the dresses and the deconstructed rocker leggings.

FW: What are you working on right now?
S & C: Currently we are trying to expand our knowledge in sustainable and ethical design.
Courtney is working with different designers in Toronto and Sasha is working with a women’s sewing cooperative in Rwanda, learning different methods of incorporating ethical production practices into a clothing line while working to increase economic development in Africa. To learn more, please visit www.inezacooperative.wordpress.com.

FW: Where do you see Cherry Blossom in 10 years?
S & C: In 10 years, it would be a dream to have a full-fledged fashion line selling in boutiques and seeing the public wearing our clothes. We are always on the look out for new ideas that could be incorporated into sustainable fashion and are eager for the textile industry to become more innovative in terms of sustainable textiles so that we can further develop the clothes we make.

On Thursday Oct 30, 2008, Flourish
hosted their Second Annual Reena
Foundation wine tasting, gourmet food,
and art event. The Reena Foundation is a
non-profit agency that is dedicated to the
betterment of individuals with disabilities.
Held in the Manyata Courtyard at Hazelton
Lanes, this elegant location was the ideal
“meeting place” (Manyata in Kiswahili)
for eighteen wine vendors to display their
choices from all around the world.

Mazel Wines provided an exquisite
selection of world-class award winning wines
that happen to be kosher. As always, an
eco-friendly wine display stole the spotlight
with their durable bottles and innovative
packaging. Phantom Chef whipped up a
creamy risotto that seemed to compliment
the entire selection of wine. Very hard
to miss (and even harder to resist!) were
strategically placed tables decorated with
endless amounts of cheese in every sinful
form.

Guests raised their glasses to a
captivating performance by the very talented,
indie sensation, Bunmi Adeouye. Equally
inspiring, and slightly frightening, was the
‘Sabering Champagne’ sword performance
by Master Sommelier Doris Bradley from
360 Restaurant, who skillfully cut the top
of a champagne bottle with a sword. Heart
Chocolate provided a decadent display with
samples of their chocolate, which is literally
good for the heart. I was, personally, very
amused to find out whom, or rather which
wine, I’m “dating” with Billy’s Best Bottles
and the interactive Wine Dating Game. If
you wanted to be in the spotlight, stylists
from Fiorio were ready to transform your
hair in seconds.

Amongst all the lively discussions and
performances, a silent auction took place
with an array of art pieces, wine baskets,
and hotel stays. Scotiabank provided the
eco-friendly gift bag that was filled with
everything from complimentary magazine
subscriptions to wine tasting events. This
exquisite evening was a perfect blend of
wine, art and a good cause.

Elixir Organic Spa is Toronto’s first one
hundred percent synthetic-free spa. Previously
a part of the business world, owner Lynn
Shulman was horrified after an allergic
reaction to a supposedly organic treatment.
After much research, she decided in 2003 to
create Elixir, which is entirely au natural.

They offer everything from oxygen facials,
cellulite treatments to organic manicures and
the rejuvenating Boreh Boreh Detox therapy
treatment. At the spa, they have shelves
with eco organic products from Canada and
America, including their own line, Chamomile
Blue.

This little location holds various rooms to
attend to your every need. It seemed alarmingly
peaceful, and not because we were the only
life forms present at the moment. It is a very
comfortable and tastefully decorated place,
one that you would love to spend hours being
pampered in.

When you do visit this spa, make sure you
book ahead and perhaps steer clear of Sundays
too – they’re closed! FW
Elixir Organic Spa
766 King St. West, Unit 5

You can act the part but can you look it
too? Top Canadian designers have decided
to follow the eco-trend and conjure up some
friendly designs!

Toronto led the way and hosted the Fashion
Takes Action show last year in September,
displaying 10 designers that created haute
couture from natural and organic materials.

This show commended the creativity of
designers such as Farley Chatto, Damzels,

Thien Le, and Annie Thomson who included
organic cottons, soy/bamboo/silk blends,
and hemp in their outfits. The show’s success
inspired so many that they were asked back
to Toronto’s L’Oreal Fashion Week 2008 F/W
Collection.

This year’s Spring 2008 Fashion Week,
sadly, did not include as many eco-friendly
runway looks, but did feature some of the same
artists who participated last year. Mellinda-Mae Harlingten put out her best efforts by
featuring a nature inspired show. Unfortunately
for her, we need more than just inspiration at
this day and age.

Playdead Cult, the supposedly darker but
apparently friendlier side of Damzels In This
Dress, made their entire collection this year
from screen-printed recycled clothing. Their
fashion is used to publicize their viewpoint
about the western world, and their everlasting
desire to consume and waste. Second-hand
Levi’s jeans and jackets were decorated with
their logo, a dia de los muertos skull and at
times, a moth in flight. This exceptional show
left more of an impact on the audience, and less
on the environment.

We understand that it is hard to be creative
with such limited materials, but we hope in the
future that there will be more artists that will
use their talents for the greater cause.

During this time when the world’s economy
is chaotic and prices are rocketing, becoming ecofriendly
is a part of the new, affordable way of
living. Savings are crucial, so why limit yourself to
just the environment? FW has learned today that
eating vegetarian can be easy on your body and
your wallet.

Ironically placed right opposite the
Barbarian’s Steak House, Commensal is not
outshined by its neighbors on Elm Street. Having
passed this restaurant several times in the past, I
have thought to myself “this is just not for me.”
I was pleasantly surprised to find out that eighty
percent of their clientele are not vegetarian.
Owner Susanna Yeung says it best “ it’s just a
sensible way to eat.” Her goal is to break this
common mindset, and show people how to
improve their lifestyle by eating vegetarian.

Commensal has a light, sunny disposition
with its orange and yellow walls, which are quite fitting for what it contains. They have a section
for take home food if you’re in a rush and another
section dedicated to books and products to help
you make your way into this lifestyle. Attached to
the restaurant is a recently opened breakfast bar,
so you can begin your healthy day at 7am!

Next at your disposal is a hot and cold buffet.
By buffet, I do not mean lining up and piling
on sky-high mounds of food like it’s your last
meal. If you’re eating at Commensal, you pay
for exactly what you eat. The food is priced by weight; this way, you look after yourself, your
money, and not waste food at the same time. If I
had to recommend one dish, it would be the rich,
coconut flavored Thai Seiten Curry, featured in
the hot buffet.

Avoiding dessert is the hardest thing to do. At
Commensal, this is no way to live! The Soya cake
particularly impressed me, unable to believe it
was actually that with every bite I took. If you’re
feeling festive, grab a soft and spicy Pumpkin
Orange Square to accompany your tea. This
little number pretty much pushed my friend, the
‘Borderline Vegetarian,’ over to the green side.

Adding to the atmosphere, every Friday and
Saturday Commensal treats you to a live Jazz
performance. A perfect combination with my
meal was the musical styling of the talented duo,
Sarah Jerrom and Ali Berkok.

I can assure you I was very full by the end
of the meal, and not the kind of full where you
feel like your next stop should be the YMCA
nearby. It was a refreshing feeling that came from
eating clean, healthy food. I have to admit, I was
converted as I left the restaurant, and I think you
will be too. Try out something new, and we at FW
promise you a new way of living!

FW: How would you describe the target market
for your collection?
Our market is professional women ages 18-45
that are socially conscious and interested in
buying locally made clothing and accessories.
FW: Who or what is your style inspiration –
whether reflected in your collection, or to your
everyday style?
Our clothing is inspired by Victorian all the way
to the 1970’s. We focus on classic designs and
tailoring. Each collection has a different concept
and time period as a starting point.
FW: How would you define your personal style?
Amelia: My style is 1950’s inspired. I wear lots
of summer dresses and high wasted skirts. I like
to mix contemporary fashion with classic vintage
pieces with a punk rock flare.
Constance: I would say that my personal style is a
mish-match of everything.
FW: Personally, what do you think every man
and woman should have in their closet?
Amelia: A pencil skirt that fits well and goes
with most other pieces in your wardrobe.
Constance: A great belt, it can complete the look
to any outfit.
FW: What is the one fashion trend you wish
would go away?
The “maternity” tops that we see so many
woman wearing. All of that fabric takes away
from the female form and its wonderful curves.
FW: If you could choose one celebrity to wear
your clothes, who would it be and why?
We would love to see Rose McGowan wearing
our clothing. She is very stylish and is an eco
activist.

FW: Why should people buy your clothes?
People should buy our clothing because it is of
quality and made in an ecologically conscious
and responsible manner. By making use of
sustainable and organic fabric as well as recycled
plastic bags, we hope to make women feel good
about their bodies as well as their social impact.
FW: Where do you see your line/company in 5
years?
Eventually, while still selling our line to retailers
across the country, we envision Elladora
operating retail space showcasing our line as
well as other eco-friendly designers. We see
Elladora continuing to create vintage inspired
woman’s garments and accessories whilst
encouraging positive changes for ourselves and
our environment.

With the city of Toronto’s summer coming to
an end and a saturation of festivities occurring
every weekend- this weekend we welcome the
Canadian National Exhibition (CNE). From
August 15- to September 1st 2008 enjoy the
rides, food and crazy shopping at the CNE. A
family event open to all is always an excellent
finale to the summer. However, this year
along with the cotton candy, Ferris wheel,
international shopping and wholesale craze,
the CNE has opened doors to the GREEN
ZONE. Various companies both national and
international participated to display their eco
friendly goods and services for the audience to
explore. The exhibit features various sectors
such as fashion, auto, home and lifestyle. Car
Heaven, a company that specializes in recycling
old vehicles responsibly created this program by
the support of the Clean Air Foundation- they
give cash incentives to people on their next
GM car purchase if they donate their car to
get dismantled and recycled preventing carbon
monoxide and smog forming emissions.

The Toronto Fashion Incubator features a
“green” exhibit with a handful of designers that
created outfits using 100% all natural,

eco-friendly fabrics. There will be a fashion
show on August 19th, 2008 that is a must see
(please visit www.theex.com to learn more about
it). The highlight of the Green Zone was the
extremely funky, cool and stylish exhibit of the
Sustainable Condo. A concept created by www.
usinglessenjoyingmore.com is a set of a condo is
on exhibit till September 1st 2008 showcasing
how to live green. The CMHC, EcoSmart, City
of Toronto and numerous other supporters have
displayed every room in a regular home or condo
and transformed them into an energy saving
room. The set includes solar panels, organic
carpets, funky organic furniture, eco friendly
bedding, low flow faucets and the list goes on.
Not only is it aesthetically gorgeous but also very
homely. The décor does not resemble anything
too earthy but rather contemporary, modern and
extremely livable.

It is great to see that the CNE has adapted
the green movement into the exhibit. It would
have been good to see more variety, larger booths
and a more interactive set up. However if you are
attending the CNE this year- mark it on the site
map because it’s a definite stop where the whole
family can learn some environmental awareness
and small things you can do to make a huge difference!