It seems now more than ever, how we choose to spend money is impacted by where that money is ultimately going. Whether shopping to keep local brands in business, shopping to support a charitable organization or to raise awareness about various causes, there are numerous options for making informed purchases that may also help create positive change.
Launching on International Women’s Day on March 8 is a new collaboration between Canadian accessory brand, ela and Métis artist, Christi Belcourt, that puts a fashion-centric focus on the need to protect the world’s oceans. The design of the limited-edition pouch, part of Holt Renfrew’s H Project, is based on Belcourt’s work, Water Lilies – and the interior is made from recycled water bottles.
In addition, $10 from the purchase of each vegan leather pouch will be donated to Oceana Canada, a registered charity focused on protecting and restoring the world’s oceans.
“Most people are unaware that oceans provide the earth with 50 per cent of its oxygen,” says Belcourt. “The water lily is also a powerful medicine; it not only cleans the water but is food and medicine to many species on Earth.”
Using fashion as a way to spotlight an important cause isn’t new, but it remains a simple yet impactful way to show support for important issues, whether global or local in scope.
“This collaboration really defines the core of what we strive to as a brand,” says designer, Ela Aldorsson. “We are on a mission to create cruelty-free and sustainable products that we and our customers can be proud of.”
Since 2013, Holt Renfrew’s H Project has been curating an assortment of products from around the world that support local cultures and charities as well as raise awareness for various causes. The spring 2021 ela editor’s pouch is an exclusive H Project collaboration between ela and Christi Belcourt and will be available at all Holt Renfrew stores across Canada and on holtrenfrew.com starting March 8.
