Passion & Purpose = Sustainable Style!
What will you be Wearing?
by Carol Marriott

Her passions include a deep desire to re-educate people on responsible, sustainable consumerism, and to create a strong movement that will positively change the face of the retail market.

The power of passion and purpose is clearly present when listening to Lisa Wicklund, owner of Regina’s award-winning Canadian indie design (handmade by independent artisans) sustainable eco-fashion shop, Seed Sustainable Style, located in the trendy Cathedral area of Regina.

When Lisa moved back to Saskatchewan a few years ago, after living in a number of larger Canadian cities like Vancouver, Calgary, and Victoria, she realized there was definitely a lack of independent, green, sustainable clothing and products available. Starting with just $2,000 and her passion for eco-friendly fashion and couture, Lisa and her co-creators have done everything themselves, paying cash for everything, and using all recycled materials in creating Seed Sustainable Style’s retail outlet.

A whole new world opened up to me, as I chatted with Lisa. Terms such as “trashion,” upcycle, and indie were all words I hadn’t heard before. Not being a “fashion diva” by any stretch of the imagination, and happiest when browsing the second hand stores for comfortable, casual clothing, I was excited about the depth of Canadian designers, artisans, and amazing products available that help us walk more gently and consciously on the earth.

Seed has something for everyone—from modern upscale fashion to distinctly printed casual basics. They feature delicate vintage jewellery, bold wearable art, lovely lingerie, sandals and shoes, outerwear, unique accessories, bags, gift ware, vegan skin care, gallery-style exhibitions, and more! They recently celebrated their 3rd anniversary.

Seed carries a wide selection of unique, designer clothing, shoes and jewellery made by independent Canadian designers and artists who are environmentally and socially conscious. Seed Sustainable Style carries 100% upcycle products (upcycle is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value). They also feature natural skin care products, perfumes, loose herbs, and a wide variety of other environmentally friendly, totally Canadian-made sustainable, eco-friendly, designer clothing and upcycle items.

Lisa has been interested in fashion and design since she was a child. Her mom is a seamstress and Lisa has been designing her own clothes since she was child. Her passions include a deep desire to re-educate people on responsible, sustainable consumerism, and to create a strong movement that will positively change the face of the retail market. Her goal is to open outlets throughout Canada and the US.

Lisa and Seed Sustainable Style give much back to the community with 3% of sales going to the support of a Greyhound dogs rescue organization, in addition to being involved in a number of charitable events and fund-raising events dedicated to promoting awareness, education, and action. And students get a 15% discount.

The clothing, fashion accessories, and beauty products they carry are eco-friendly, natural, sustainable, and made by Canadian independent designers, and their clothing is truly unique fashion couture, blending comfort and style.

On Mondays, and certain evenings, the store is transformed into Wink Day Spa and open by appointment to clients of the spa. Wink offers highly specialized holistic facials and skin analysis, reflexology, Reiki, massage, as well as makeup artistry and consultation using clean, green, vegan, and cruelty-free natural products.

In 2010, Seed Sustainable Style won the Regina Prairie Dog’s “Best New Business” and the “Best Hip Trendy Clothing (Gals)” awards. Then in 2011, they repeated the win in “Best Hip Trendy Clothing (Gals)” and also won the “Best Eco Friendly Business” and “Best Stylish Yet Casual Clothing (Gals)” award, which added to their growing list of accolades, including the best of Canadian sustainable artisans, designers, and products.

The world is full of creative, passionate, and inspired individuals who live their lives with purpose and conviction. Lisa is one of those people who are truly making a difference in our world.

Carol Marriott is a Certified Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) Specialist and the “Lead Mare” at Ravenheart Farms near Kamsack, SK. For more information, workshop dates, and/or private or group sessions call (306) 542-3557, email: ravenheart@sasktel.net, or visit: www.ravenheartfarms.com. For information on Ravenheart Farms’ 2012 workshops see the display ad on page 9 of the 18.1 May/June issue of the WHOLifE Journal.