Sustainability on the Runway: The Future of Fashion

Lynda O’Malley (external link, opens in new window)  is the founder of this is willow (external link, opens in new window) , a Canadian clothing brand based out of Toronto, committed to creating beautiful, ethical, and sustainably made clothing for an effortlessly sophisticated look. Inspired by Lynda's daughters Willow and Aya, this is willow is a brand committed to ethical and sustainable practices — including the use of deadstock and sustainably sourced fabrics from natural fibres, such as EcoVero and linen. 

Lynda most recently worked in the academic sector at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she was Acting Manager of the Fashion Zone. There, Lynda managed programming, mentor and advisor network, service offerings and the planning and implementation of the overall member experience strategy for the Zone.  

Lynda has previously worked as a Cleantech Industry Analyst with the MaRS Market Intelligence team, where she helped entrepreneurs and startups in the cleantech, advanced materials and manufacturing industries to get the business intelligence they need to grow their businesses. Lynda has a Masters of Environmental Studies from York University where she specialized in renewable energy policy.

Shelley Haines, School of Fashion ’15 and ’17, is a lecturer and researcher based in Toronto with a focus on ethics and sustainability, specifically sustainable consumer behaviour and fashion design. Haines’ scholarly commitment to understanding and promoting sustainability dates back a decade and, since 2016, Haines has been a lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University’s Creative School and Humber College’s Faculty of Business. Haines instructs a diverse set of courses on ethics and sustainability, product forecasting, marketing, social media promotion, computer-aided design, and research methods, and has simultaneously been completing a PhD on sustainable consumer behaviour.

Lex Brown, School of Fashion ‘17, is the founder of Neoteny Apparel, a Toronto-based lifestyle and fashion label defined by its sustainable production, level of craftsmanship and unique personal style. With Neoteny (external link) , driven designer Lex has set out to bridge the gap between the genders clothing companies currently market towards. Originally from Hamilton, Lex Brown had always set out to have her voice heard within the industry. Since the launch of Neoteny, she’s made a point to have her clothes represent messages that are important to her, such as sustainability and gender representation.

Michons Marigot is a multitudinous design talent with a myriad of skills in both technical and creative design. Michons Marigot designs for her namesake label, MICHONS MARIGOT (external link, opens in new window)  and ascribes to the Slow Fashion ideology and creates seasonal collections of mindful luxury. She is currently based in Toronto, Canada where she works as a 3D Technical Designer for Canada Goose as well as a sessional instructor with the Creative School, working in Textiles. With a breadth of global industry experience and an unparalleled tenacity, Michons is a well-rounded individual with a mind that thinks outside the box and aims to work in an innovative and sustainable way.