Make things or dye trying

Another great company from the Beaches show is Heartfelt, the Toronto based garment/wearables label of Jill Harrop. She creates her garments with high quality fabrics, which she sources for their minimal environmental impact and lasting quality.

Heartfelt's methods and and mandate are in many ways in opposition to the "fashion machine", which is based on seasonal cycles of change. When looking at this model of operating from an environmental perspective, it is simply not sustainable; investing so much energy and resources in to something that lasts for a few months couldn't possibly have a positive environmental impact.
However, Heartfelt's garments are pieces that compliment your wardrobe and have a lasting appeal to them. As always, I am drawn to a neutral, natural palette. And in garments, neutrals are timeless, which is perfectly fitting to Heartfelts mandate.

This beautiful shirt (which I am very pleased to say is now in my possession) is made of a Peruvian organic pima cotton. I wish you could reach though the screen and feel how soft this fabric is! It is definitely my new favourite shirt.
Apart from Heartfelt's mandate, I also love the simple design, the subtle detailing on each piece. There is a little pop of white on the placket and in the inset of the hip that adds a little bit of flare, and the extra buttonhole on the end of the placket is also a nice touch.

I was also really interested in the print work of Jill's collection. She has developed a low-impact method of printing using naturally occurring pigments found in soil and minerals, which she adheres to the cloth using a soymilk she makes from fresh soybeans. I had read a bit about soymilk dyeing when I was doing my thesis, but have never tried it myself. I was really excited to hear about Jill's application of it to screen printing techniques, an furthermore that it could be successfully translated into semi-commercial production.
Great work Jill and it was lovely to meet you!



Here are a few more pics...