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Vicki Duong

January 26, 2022

10 Asian-Founded Ethical & Sustainable Canadian Fashion

Ethically made fashion can be somewhat of a tender issue for Asian folks due to the negative association with clothing made in Asia, primarily China. Clothing made overseas is not inherently unethical and the reason why so much unethical clothing is made overseas has a lot to do with Western exploitation of labour. The entire issue is more nuanced than people see at face value.

That being said, there is a great selection of ethical fashion brands founded and designed by Asian folks worth supporting. Below are some of my faves.

Sunday Catalogue – Carly Fung. No matter what day of the week it is, Carly is such an intentional designer and consumer when it comes it comes to slow fashion. What started off as a side project of creating bucket hats with ethical and deadstock fabrics has since grown to include sleep sets crafted with raw silk for the perfect worn-in softness. To know Sunday Catalogue is to love them, and if you knew Carly the way I did you would see how thoughtful she is when it comes to fashion and I am endlessly proud whenever I see her bucket hats out and about. A Sunday Catalogue hat is a quintessential cool babe in Vancouver head topper. I’m not just saying that, some of the coolest fashion peeps I know in Vancouver have one (or several) Sunday Catalogue hats.


K SOON – Amanda Poh. Circular and secondhand options continue to trend upward while we continue to shop more ethically in more ways than one. Not only do we want products made ethically, but we are looking to support brands that stand for something. If all this sounds like it checks your boxes, check out K SOON, a jewelry brand that specializes in deadstock, vintage and recycled materials that directly go back to supporting BIPOC communities. Not only does 25% of sales go directly to support BIPOC organizations and funds, but K SOON provides an extensive list of charities and resources on their page.


OCIN – Courtney Chew. I have been a long time fan of OCIN swimwear because not only is it made with sustainability in mind but OCIN strives to foster a community around uplifting other creatives and donating a percentage of their proceeds each year to organizations committed to ocean protection. Last year they collaborated with Hayato Koshizuka to create a RE:CURRENT collection featuring garments of pre-loved goods from Kamuy Vintage and adorned with OCIN graphics.


Chinatown Vintage. Speaking of pre-loved garments, did you know that Vancouver’s Chinatown has it’s own official vintage shop where 100% of all of the profits go towards the revitalization of Chinatown? I don’t know what chic babe drops off their stuff at Chinatown vintage but they always have such a great selection of stylish clothing.


Faun Studio – Marisa P. Clark. I think a common misconception about sustainable and ethical fashion is that it’s all in shades of beige or only features boxy silhouettes. Fret not, Faun Studio is here with a wide range of colourful garments featuring a flirty twist. Rooted in tradition, Faun Studio is both Canadian and Vietnamese, with a production site in Vietnam while every piece is designed in Calgary.


Vessi –  Mikaella Go, Andy Wang & Tony Yu. We’ve all seen the TikTok or IG ads for Vessi footwear. Designed with wet (read, Vancouver) weather in mind. An impressively fully waterproof sneaker that keeps your feet dry while always stay comfy and stylish. Available in a variety of colours, they have styles with 90 influences, slip-ons and even Chelsea boots all using sustainable materials.


Lezé the Label – Karen Lee & Tanya Lee. Designed to be sustainable workleisure, Lezé the Label is designed to be comfy but appropriate. They used recycled materials to create their fabric for all of their garments with an entire page on sustainability to break down how plastic bottles, fishnets and more can be used to create fabric. Their items are also offered in an extensive size range with a variety of models shown wearing their pieces.


For The Seconds – Esther Joo. I will be the first to admit that I am a bit biased with my love for For The Seconds because there is a style named after yours truly. I love their dainty pieces that are not only budget friendly but made with 14k gold filled materials which means you can wear it in the shower! (I literally never take off my For The Seconds bracelet or anklet.)


AW – Andrea Wong. It’s no secret that I love a good tote bag and with Vancouver’s recent ban on plastic bags now is the time to invest in a versatile tote. My personal fave is the Thank You bag from AW by Andrea Wong that features a familiar bodega thank you graphic and made with sturdy canvas and extra long straps for easy transport.


Muna and Broad – Leila Kelleher. As one half of Muna and Broad, pattern designer Leila aims to empower marginalized people, in particular BIPOC and fat/plus-sized folks. Muna and Broad makes beginner friendly sewing patterns for plus-size sewers, filling a gap in the market since most commercially bought patterns are made with straight-sizes only. The site offers patterns for everything from shackets and jeans. If you’re an aspiring designer or a novice sewer, following Leila on IG (@leila_sews) offers a wealth of knowledge about technique and inclusivity.

Looking for more brand features that are sustainable and ethical? You might also like:

BRAND FEATURE; Decade Studio
Very Peri Canadian Ethical Fashion Picks
10 Sustainable & Ethical Knitwear Brands

Posted In: ARCHIVE, Archive Fashion · Tagged: asian owned brands, AW, canadian fashion, chinatown vintage, ethical fashion, faun studio, for the seconds, k soon, leze the label, muna and broad, ocin, sunday catalogue, sustainable fashion, vessi

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vickiduong

Where the wild west meets the group chat. Where the wild west meets the group chat.
Growing up, I used to feel embarrassed by the clut Growing up, I used to feel embarrassed by the clutter in our home—half-used bottles, worn-out packaging, and drawers full of “almost empties.” Now? I find it all deeply endearing.

Years ago, I dreamed of becoming so “successful” that I could replace everything old or used in her house. But I’ve come to realize, she never needed anything replaced. She doesn’t want a new life. She just lets me add to hers.

Anyone who’s heard me talk about my mom knows she’s the reason I understand gratitude and compassion the way I do. She’s the original project pan queen, the real sustainability influencer in my life and she still teaches me how to make the most of what you have, every single day.

#projectpan #beautyempties #immigrantparents
Just back from Peru and already planning my next p Just back from Peru and already planning my next photo album because some memories deserve more than just a spot on your phone.

I use @blacks to turn travel pics into keepsakes. Their print quality’s amazing, they’re Canadian, and right now you can get 33% off with GIFT4YOU (until July 12).

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Acne is complicated, but getting help doesn’t ha Acne is complicated, but getting help doesn’t have to be. After years of trying to manage my acne, I finally spoke to a doctor—and it changed the game. If you’re struggling, talk to a healthcare provider. #myacnejourney #ad sponsored by Sun Pharma
One day. 15+ km. Roughly 5,000 stairs. And a full One day. 15+ km. Roughly 5,000 stairs. And a full spectrum of emotions.

I am not a hiker. Historically, I begrudgingly agree to one hike a year—and even that is usually under 3k, with the promise of brunch after. So when I agreed to the one-day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, I knew it would be a challenge. But I didn’t realise how hard it would be. I cried out of frustration. I was mad at myself for not being fitter, for not coping better, for not moving faster.

But with the encouragement of Ale, Robert, and the incredible @intrepidtravel crew, I kept going. One shaky, slow, stubborn step at a time. And when I finally walked through the Sun Gate and saw Machu Picchu unfold in front of me? All of it—every tear, every stair, every mental spiral—felt completely worth it.

Truly one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. And yes, I now understand why men everywhere use this view as their dating profile pic. It’s iconic.
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This is also a reminder to future me who can be so critical of myself sometimes: don’t talk about my friend that way.
One thing I think makes me good at what I do? I’ One thing I think makes me good at what I do? I’m a boots-on-the-ground kind of person. People often ask how I know about so many small local brands—and the answer is simple. I go to a lot of markets.

When I first moved to Vancouver, I started blogging about the brands I’d discover at craft fairs and pop-ups. What’s so special about markets is that when you buy from a small maker, the person you’re talking to is usually the person who made it.

That’s why public events matter. Sure, I get hundreds of press releases a week—but some of the best finds are the ones that aren’t backed by PR. They’re just passionate people putting their work out there.

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