So after much too long, Alex and I headed back to Toronto. With quite the list of events, outings and errands we had a pretty packed week. It wasn't exactly a relaxing vacation, but I don't think I've laughed that much in quite some time. We took in an awesome concert, re-explored the city and caught up with our favourite Torontonians. We checked out a couple festivals in town, hit up Salad King for the best spring rolls and Bangkok stir-fry out there and visited the Giant Pandas at the Toronto Zoo.
Amongst all that we did get some work done. This week brought up quite a few questions in relation to Fair JAKE. We set out on the city searching for fabric for the Spring 2014 collection we are working on. When you are working on samples for a small collection and a small run of samples, the biggest obstacle in your path is sourcing fabric. With fabric availability extremely limited in Vancouver, we were hoping to find some in Toronto, or at least for sampling. What ended up happening was bringing up more questions related to the natural fibre debate. We would prefer to follow our ideals and use only natural fibres, which is proving to be extremely difficult. The biggest question we have after wandering around the fabric stores of Toronto is who wins the fight; naturally-derived synthetic fabrics vs. natural fibre fabrics. Are both successfully environmentally conscious? We're also stuck on the conventional cotton vs. organic cotton debate. There is so much research to do on eco-materials, even when you think you are informed, there is more to learn. This will be something I will have to come back to another day, but it is a topic we come back to again and again.
One of my favourite things about being back in Toronto is hanging out with my best fashion ladies. There is nothing better creatively I believe, than hanging out with friends and colleagues that can throw ideas around allowing you to bounce. We are so lucky to have friends that love to collaborate and in a variety of different roles within the industry. Its so interesting to hear different perspectives on things. With some friends dealing with off-shore manufacturing and others only working with small scale local manufacturing, like ourselves, its interest to hear the different points of view, as well as the benefits and pitfalls of both. It was also great to chat with friends that are store owners, seeing as their perspective on the industry is completely opposite from ours. Approaching stores as a small designer is a daunting task, but having people that can lend some advice as to the best way to conquer barriers and overcome problems was such a great help.
We were pretty sad to leave. We learned so much while we were at school in Toronto and miss the availability of industry necessities such as pleaters and button suppliers that no longer exist here in Vancouver. The support of our friends who are in the same shoes as us is so exceptional, we will have to keep you posted on what they are up to as well. And despite the ridiculous weather while we were there, the city is pretty awesome. The support for small business is huge, the fashion industry holds bigger players and the food scene is delicious. There is a lot to learn from the city of Toronto. They've been doing it much longer than us out here in the West. And still, we're happy to be home!
- Kim
