What drew you to become a fashion designer?
I have always been fascinated by the details and the structure of the jackets and the coats. As a kid I used to see my dad wear formal suits and I always admired that look. So I decided to pursue my passion for structured garments by exploring ‘Power Dressing’- Corporate wear.
Why was it important to you to offer a sustainable, responsible, Eco fashion line and how do you incorporate ideals such a Zero Waste into your work?
It’s the little things that makes a big difference. We live in such a global, profit-at-all-costs world that we sometimes forget that every choice we make impacts others – through its creation, its distribution, its use and its disposal. When we start to understand this life cycle, the change is inevitable. Our company has started using more natural fabrics in our collections which are Eco-friendly, thus providing an opportunity to be a part of this change. At work we try and minimize the use of paper by reading the emails off the screen and not printing them, using reusable water bottles or coffee mugs, minimizing packing paper, etc. These things sound really simple but they add to the bigger picture.
Where do your find inspiration for new work?
Creativity is all around us in one form or the other. I find my inspiration anywhere and everywhere.
What materials do you work with – organic, reclaimed, etc.?
I love working with a lot of organic cotton, linen, hemp, wool, silk.
What are the biggest challenges you face as an sustainable designer?
I think the biggest challenge for us is when we have to compete with the cheap alternatives selling in the market. But we can see the change in the trend as people are getting more aware of the use of the sustainable options.
How do you help customers understand the higher cost of sustainable garments when they are so inundated with sweat shop-produced cheap merchandise?
As more and more people have started understanding the importance of sustainable living, many shoppers are actively looking to support companies that follow eco-friendly guidelines. The cost of the sustainable garments can be justified by the fact that you aren't simply investing in your clothes, but also investing in the environment you live in.
Sustainable garment is created and designed with the goal to use a process that supports the human impact on the environment and social impact. The reason they are more expensive is because of what goes into the making of an Eco-friendly garment from start to finish-- you're paying for conscious fashion.
What can we look forward to seeing on the runway at Eco Fashion Week Australia 2018?
This season the theme of the collection is AMPLIFY- bolder, brighter, intensified. Merging the bold style with sophistication of the tailoring.
How do you incorporate sustainable living in other areas of your life?
It’s the little things that make a big difference. From growing your fruits and veggies at home to ditching the use of plastic, me and my family we have adopted the sustainable lifestyle by incorporating little things like- walking to school, using public transport where possible, recycling old bottles/cans, unplugging devices when not in use, etc. Sustainable living is not only changing how you do things so that you start becoming more of an active part of the cycle of life but can also mean not choosing to consume a product that is made using practices that don’t promote sustainability.
Anything else you would like readers to know?
Grow your community, shop eco-friendly. Remember one small change can have an enormous impact.
Links -
- Website - http://www.cvsfashions.com/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cvsfashions/
- Twitter - https://twitter.com/cvsfashions
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chaynika_cvsfashions/
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chaynika-sethi-133a3325/