How we dress and what we choose to put on our bodies everyday may seem trivial to some but it can also be a tool for self expression, living your values and having a positive impact on our planet. As the founder and a designer/artist for local slow fashion brand and creative platform Pattern Nation, I am extremely passionate about using clothing as a tool for revolution and change. Our collective consists of three artists Costa Besta (SA), Brianna Klassen (CA) and myself Cyd Eva (CA). All of us design, sew and upcycle one of a kind clothing for our platform. We work with second hand clothing/textiles, deadstock fabrics and transform all of our scrap materials into new products such as interactive art installations: Blobs, patchwork clothing, jewelry and accessories.

“The way many clothes are made is harmful to the planet, using too many natural resources and polluting land and air. And because we buy more clothing than we need, too many waterways, forests, and farmlands become damaged” - Fashion Revolution

Reworking is blowing up the fashion industry, just look at the series Next in Fashion on Netflix which puts a spotlight on upcycle designer Nigel Xavier. There are platforms like Fashion Revolution that was founded in the UK but now exists around the globe, educating about the fashion industry and sustainable fashion alternatives. In 2018 Costa and Cyd had the pleasure of showcasing a collection of our upcycled clothing and our textile sculptures Blobs made from scraps and offcut fabrics with Fashion Revolution in Durban South Africa at KZNSA Gallery. We started upcycling for the love of creating unique clothing but to know that the practice has a positive impact on the planet and it connects us with a community who are all a part of the revolution is so impactful. We have since moved back to Coquitlam Canada where we continue to be blown away by the creative artisans in the area that are repurposing and reworking in exciting and innovative ways.

This is our list of upcycle clothing brands in BC to check out

Sleepless Mindz @sleeplessmindz www.sleeplessmindz.com

RBRTH @rbrth_official www.rbrthofficial.com

Ultra Neat @ultra.neat www.ultraneat.ca

Welcome to Eastvan @eastvanalleycat www.welcometoeastvan.ca

Oka Fashion @oka.gear_

Peaches N Seams @peachesnseamsvintage

Monkey Fox @monkeyfoxthrift

Local Trash @thisislocaltrash

Sugar Troll @sugartrolldesigns www.sugartrolldesigns.com

Sweet Dee @sweetdeedesign

Blim @blimstagram www.blim.ca

Chow Down @chowdown.world

Uni Design @unidesign_world www.unidesignworld.com

And of course we love you to check out our designs as well

Pattern Nation @pattern.nation www.pattern-nation.com

Each artist has such a unique style making stunning one of a kind and small batch creations and these are only the designers we know of who are upcycling in BC. Everytime you buy local and upcycled you are making a statement with your fashion and making a big impact in an artist's life. When you choose to flip a piece of clothing yourself, hem a ripped seam or patch a hole in a garment you are not only making a choice that is good for our planet but you are also making a fashion statement. The fast fashion industry puts out new clothing everyday, producing way more than we need, polluting and creating waste, treating workers terribly and pushing trends and the need to shop shop shop down our throats. So just like the Fashion Revolution prompts us to, let's ask who made our clothes? Get excited when you have a chance to meet a local designer or snatch that thrift find. Check out what you already have in your wardrobe that you haven’t worn in a while and experiment with upcycling techniques to give it a new life. This editorial shoot showcases our most recent collection of one of a kind designs, we hope it inspires you to bring colour, pattern and sustainable fashion into your wardrobe. Everyday we get to choose what to wear on our bodies, why not have fun with it and use it as a tool for self expression and cultural revolution.

Models: