FLORA&FAUNA CANADA – SUSTAINABLE FASHION! MERGING BEAUTY AND THE ENVIRONMENT!

Fashion and nature share one common thing: Beauty in its purest form.

It is only natural that the world of fashion is now increasingly incorporating greater sustainable practices into the production of it’s products.

One such pioneer is Pauline Siu, an Eco-Friendly Green designer successfully merging the worlds of nature and fashion together. A native of Hong Kong, Pauline started working in the fashion industry in Toronto and Montreal after studying Fashion Design at Ryerson University. Pauline moved to Vancouver in 2007, drawn by the beautiful surroundings and the abundance of wildlife.

Drawing inspiration from beauty in nature, the irresistible cuteness of animals, and the intricacy of the planet’s delicate eco-system, all of flora&fauna’s pieces reflect Pauline’s deep love for the natural beauty in our world. With a blend of clean lines, rich colours, and lasting style, flora&fauna incorporates nature and animal themes into each design, and is proud to support local animal welfare and nature conservation organizations. Here, www.iCUBED.us catches up with Pauline as she discusses nature, Vancouver and working in the fashion industry.

Pauline Siu - PS
iCUBED.us interviewer - Chris Lau

iCUBED.us: Did you always want to be a fashion designer? What type of skill set and personality is required to become a success in the industry?

PS: When I was small, my parents bought me and my sister some really beautiful Japanese paper dolls. I quickly grew tired of the paper-dolls' wardrobe, and started to draw clothing for them! It was then I knew I wanted to be a fashion designer. To be successful in the industry, you need to be willing to work hard, willing to learn, and be passionate about design.

iCUBED.us: Where does your interest in environmental issues come from?

PS: I love nature and animals, and the symbiotic relationship between people, the earth, and all it's creatures. I learnt to respect and appreciate the beauty in nature as a child, when my father took us on hikes, and to the aquarium. He taught me to view the world through a photographer's eye - to find poetry in every moment and everything. Now that I'm older, I can't help but seek out the beauty in nature, and capture it in my sketches and designs.

iCUBED.us: Do you always seek to incorporate “Green Issues” into your designs? Do you seek inspiration from your immediate environment?

PS: It's absolutely crucial to me that my designs are as eco-friendly as possible. Every design is a tribute to a creature I've encountered; I cannot imagine making clothing that would damage the habitat these creatures live in. We are really proud to be working with a few local charities in BC to help conserve the environment, and foster injured and orphan animals.

iCUBED.us: From your experiences of living in Vancouver, just how close is the relationship between humans, animals and the environment? How do the three impact each other?

PS: Vancouver is the perfect little city that's surrounded by the ocean, mountains, and temperate rainforests. Most of the residents here deeply respect the environment. It's not uncommon for wild animals such as coyotes, black bears, and cougars to be seen in the edges of the city, or for porpoises to be washed up on the beaches. It's important to understand that these creatures are not infringing our our space - but that we have taken away their habitats and their source of food. Critter Care (based in Langley, BC) is one of the non-profit groups that helps to capture and rehabilitate wildlife. It is a delicate balance between humans, animals, and nature - we need each other to survive. Every choice we make in the products we purchase, and our lifestyles can impact the environment, and we have to choose wisely so that the damages to our environment can one day be undone, and all of earth's creatures will have a safe place to live.

iCUBED.us: Are your clothes made in a sustainable way? How can other designers / manufacturers be encouraged to practice sustainable development and produce clothes which are eco-friendly?

PS: Every piece at flora&fauna is made from organic or sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, rayon from bamboo, linen, or soy - which is made from soy fibers leftover after tofu production. The pieces are made at a small local production facility with ethical labour practices. The timeless styling and impeccable quality of each piece will ensure the pieces can be worn for a long time. Because organic and sustainable materials and local (North American) production is much more costly than using conventional fabrics and production facilities, other designers need to accept a lower profit margin, and reduce wastage where possible.

iCUBED.us: How do you market your green friendly message across to your customers? How can youths be encouraged to be more aware of their surroundings?

PS: I don't try to impose my personal value onto my customers - most of them do buy and wear the clothing because they like the style. The fact that it is 'green' does make it more appealing to the eco-minded customers. I love telling customers about the stories and inspirations of each piece, and it is through that, they learn about the company's initiative to protect the environment.

iCUBED.us: Canada is often seen as one of the most ‘Eco-friendly’ and “Green” countries in the world, do you think this mentality can be further encouraged in places like Hong Kong and China?

PS: Definitely. The North American consumer is becoming more and more conscious of the impact of their purchases. They are willing to pay more for ethically produced items that are not harmful to the environment - and the demand for these products is increasing. A large percentage of the products here are made in China and Hong Kong, and many of the production facilities there have already adapted to the improved labour practices and standards.

iCUBED.us: Do you have any advice for budding designers? How difficult is it at first to enter the industry? How glamorous it it?

PS: The fashion industry is a lot of fun!! I have met so many amazing and creative people in the industry! Behind the scenes, there is a lot of hard work. For anyone who is interested in a career in fashion design, I suggest doing an internship with a designer to get some hands on experience. It's a great way to learn what the industry is all about, and to meet some new friends.

iCUBED.us: In terms of global government policies, do you think environmental issues are sometimes neglected? How can this be addressed?

PS: On a global scale, the environmental issues do sometimes get put on the back burner; however, there are many groups at work. The UN's Climate Change conference in Copenhagen last week was attended by representatives of many countries, putting forth a global effort toward sustainable living and education. Change is imminent, and I am excited to be a part of a cleaner, healthier future.

Thank you.

Flora and Fauna Website (Canada) Sustainable fashion What is sustainable Fashion? a 5 Things We Learned About Sustainable Fashion From COP15