Soulful Couture Podcast

An interview with Gabriella Salvi, the talented founder of Wearshop.ca, an online brand of ethically created bags made of sourced surplus leathers from the finest mills in Italy.

During our conversation, you will feel Gabriella's passion for all things made with fine craftsmanship.

Joanie Pietracupa is the Editor-In-Chief of Véro Magazine, Elle Québec and Elle Canada. She has a terrific personality and is a leader in the body positive movement. During our interview, she shares her views about the beauty & fashion industry, the impact fashion magazines have on women, and the importance of speaking out about eco-fashion. She also shares tips for anyone looking to join the magazine and publishing industries. The interview is in French.

In this solo episode I talk about the toxic effects of fast fashion, particularly the brand SHEIN, a brand that creates a tremendous amount of waste on this planet through its plastic individual packaging, the cheap quality of its fabrics and its lack of transparency. 80 billion garments are bought annually worldwide and the average clothing item is worn only 7 times before it is tossed. Arguably, some of theses SHEIN clothing items are worn less given their shoddy quality. Do think twice before ordering from them, especially as we get closer to Black Friday.

Born and raised in Montreal, Antoinette Di Carlo was immersed into fashion at a very young age. She learned how to hand stitch at the tender age of eight, and from then on, the rest was history. Her undying passion to create one of a kind works of art only made it a natural inclination to become a designer. Throughout the years she worked in many parts of the field all while traveling the world in search of new trends and inspiration.

With much hard work, determination and her passion for haute-couture dress making, Antoinette perfected the skills it took to set herself apart from everyone else. Making her lifelong dream come to life, she turned her vision of a design couture house into reality. Specializing in custom made bridal and evening wear, Antoinette captures the essence of elegance and femininity that women seek.

Today, Antoinette runs her atelier from the heart of Little Italy, where all her designs come to life. When visiting the atelier, clients will enter the showroom where timelessly brilliant designer gowns are displayed. Having always peaked the interest of Montreal's finest, Antoinette's natural ability to evoke glamour and sophistication continues to capture the eyes of many.

Andrew McNally is a multi-talented Montreal stylist and art director. He also teaches at Lasalle College and is a fashion columnist. Moreover, he's a champion of local design, and bolsters the local fashion landscape with his passion and love of the local industry. He supports many important social causes, such as Reluxe, an annual second hand clothing sale that benefits women in need. He also generously spends his spare time helping the younger generations, encouraging them to go for their dreams.

Sandra Parker is a Montreal-based entrepreneur and fashion lover. She's the founder of Justine Haines, a collection of period panties for women who are looking for a sassy and eco conscious alternative to traditional women's hygiene products that polute our planet. She's passionate and knowledgeable and provides terrific tips for anyone looking to launch their own brand.

Website: https://www.justinehaines.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjustinehaines/

An Interview with Dominique La Roche, the managing director of Adrianna Espace Collectif, a collective whose mission is to contribute to the essential needs of the individual so that he can flourish and thrive. Adrianna Espace Collectif is first and foremost a food bank in the Centre Sud district of Montreal and it also runs a second hand clothing consignment shop: https://en.aecmtl.org

Listen in as we talk about eco-fashion, giving back and second hand shopping.

Karine Ganga Cloutier est une professeure de yoga et de danse qui a aussi comme mission de protéger notre belle planète. Elle nous parle de sa participation dans la Mission 1000 tonnes, une mission importante qui ramasse des déchets le long de nos cours d'eau. Elle parle aussi de sa marque de vêtements préférés, une marque écologique et éco-responsable.

Bonne écoute!