Cherry Blossom Canada’s Favourite New Eco-Friendly Line

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.