THE SECOND HONEST BY COLLECTION WILL DEBUT ONLINE ON APRIL 5TH 2012. WE INTERVIEWED OUR NEW DESIGNER TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER FIRST HONEST BY COLLECTION.

BP: WHEN WE MET IN YOUR SHOWROOM IN PARIS AND ASKED YOU TO DESIGN A HONEST BY COLLECTION FOR US YOU IMMEDIATELY SAID YES. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL AND SPONTANEOUS REACTION. WHAT MADE YOU ACCEPT OUR INVITATION ?
A: Well I could see that you were very passionate about the project and very confident too. I am already conscious about the way I produce my collections, and I thought this would be a good challenge to take the process further.

BP: WHAT DID YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THE COLLABORATION? 
A: I liked sourcing materials that are more ecologically responsible.This project is also an opportunity for me to share with the people who like my collections how i work and produce. I have also learned to consider the carbon footprint of production more – through keeping things in the E.U. and shipping in bulk.

BP: WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE FASHION INDUSTRY TODAY ?
A: I am very concerned about the way people consume clothing… They want more, faster and cheaper. It’s worrisome how disposable clothing is now (I read a statistic that said 30% of Britain’s landfills are made up of clothing waste). The other day on Twitter, someone said ‘I just bought a $29.99 cashmere sweater from …  . I don’t want to know why it’s so cheap!’. I found that so shocking and irresponsible. I thought, 'Of course you should want to know why!'. I worry about all the negative effects fast fashion has on the environment and humanity.

BP: WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT FASHION ? 
A: I love the craft and the process. My favourite part is probably seeking out new inspiration, researching textiles, and creating new prints with these ideas.

BP: ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT OR ANIMAL WELFARE ?
A: Yes. In Canada, we were raised to respect nature and the environment. I was really shocked when I moved to Paris and my office didn’t have a paper recycling bin! I’ve always had dogs growing up and I love my French Chow Chow, Lily.

BP: DO YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE ORIGINS OF WHAT YOU BUY?
A: Yes. I don't buy a lot of new clothes. I also find that I pay a lot of attention to packaging and I am conscious not to buy things with too much plastic wrapping/casing.

BP: YOU HAD NO PROBLEM WITH SHARING ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PRODUCTION PROCESS OR ANYTHING ELSE RELATED TO YOUR COLLECTION. IS IT SOMETHING YOU HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS ?
A: I think that this transparency will help customers to better understand the production process. This will also allow them to understand the overall value of the garments.

BP: DO YOU THINK YOUR CUSTOMERS WILL UNDERSTAND YOUR COLLECTION AND DESIGNS EVEN MORE NOW ?
A: I hope that they will understand the added value of a European-made product, which is also made from organic cotton with a low carbon footprint. Honest by is an exciting opportunity to share with my clients how I work, and all that goes into creating a garment.

BP: WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON TRANSPARENCY ? IS IT A GUARANTEE OF QUALITY, A NEW LUXURY OR A NECESSITY  ? 
A: I think it is a guarantee of quality and something that consumers should always demand.

BP: DO YOU BUY ONLINE SOMETIMES ? 
A: Yes! Couch shopping is fun!

BP: IS PRODUCING ORGANIC CLOTHING COMPLICATED ? ARE THERE A LOT OF RESTRICTIONS ?
A: The fabrics in my collection are almost always printed by inkjet. I wanted to find a European printer that could supply organic fabrics. This wasn’t easy at first, but we found a printer in Germany that sourced the cotton for us.

BP: WHICH FABRICS DID YOU USE ? 
A: Organic Cotton Popeline, Organic Cotton Twill, as well as Cotton Tulle Made in France.

BP: YOU ALSO DESIGNED MEN’S PIECES FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. IS IT SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE? 
A: I was so delighted to make men’s pieces for the first time! I would definitely like to do this more in the future.

BP: ARE YOU NERVOUS ABOUT THIS NEW PROJECT?
A: I guess I am most nervous about the menswear!  But boys dig prints, right?

TO BE CONTINUED ....