5 Women Making a Difference in ‘Fashion as a Force For Good’
Women and fashion go hand in hand. Here are five women who are pairing their love for fashion with social change — we love what they’re doing and think you will too.
1. Christal Earle, Brave Soles
Christal is the Co-Founder, CEO of Brave Soles. Christal admits that her life has been stranger than 
fiction. Originally from a farm in Saskatchewan, Canada, she now calls both Toronto and Cabarete, Dominican Republic home. From starting a global charity in 2000 to living between two countries since 2010, she has kind of done it all. Christal is a writer, a professional speaker and an unshakeable believer in social change. While working in a garbage dump in D.R., Christal came up with Brave Soles – beautiful sandals handmade from up-cycled tires pulled from the dumps of the DR.
2. Cassandra Ciarallo, Chic Made Consciously
Cassandra makes up-cycled jewellery and accessories made from inner tubes and landmines. On a trip to Bali she came across a shop where she met artisan Dana creating accessories from repurposed tire inner tubes. She fell in love with his magnificent work and was invited to spend the day creating and 
working with the material herself. Here she learned locals dump their tires in landfills, which in turn pollute the island and waterways. The artist worked passionately to make change in his homeland. This sparked a fire inside of her and she eagerly wanted to be a part of this movement. Chic Made Consciously spreads the message of slow fashion by offering accessories that are up-cycled and designed to last.
Alyssa is a slow fashion advocate, stylist and vlogger. She helps 
make your wardrobe as sustainable as possible while looking amazing and having fun. As a fashion stylist who spent years searching for clothes and accessories for other people, Alyssa grew tired of society’s constant need for “new” and “stuff”. She discovered the joys of living with less, loving what she has and being hyper selective about what goes into her closet. The result is a small wardrobe full of pieces that Alyssa loves, and that challenge her to get creative with in lieu of buying something new.
4. Kate Black – founder of EcoSessions and Magnifeco
EcoSessions® is the first global event series that connects designers, industry and citizens to build community and affect change. Fashioned 
to provide learning, engagement and networking, EcoSessions are an opportunity for industry to come together with the design community to forge relationships and hatch collaborations. Where ethics meets aesthetics, Magnifeco.com is the digital source for eco-fashion and sustainable living. “Magnifeco is an exclamation of delight in finding something that is ‘extraordinarily fine, superb and eco.’ We feature products and designers from around the globe and are read in 100 countries. We’re also 100% transparent – any post sponsored by a company is clearly labeled.” They have also launched a global event series that connects industry, designers and citizens around the latest in ethical fashion, nontoxic beauty and sustainable living. EcoSessions® are currently held monthly in Toronto, Montreal, New York, Los Angeles, London and Berlin (with more cities planned).
5. Candice Batista – Eco Hub
Candice Batista is an award-winning Environmental Journalist and one of Canada’s leading eco-
advocates. Eco Hub a website that connects conscious consumers to brands and companies that care about people and the planet. Their goal is to empower Canadians to make informed and thoughtful decisions about the things they purchase daily. “We believe that consumers have the power to drive large-scale environmental and social impact through their everyday purchases. Our ultimate goal is to provide you, our readers, with the resources you need to find chic, stylish, sustainable, affordable, made in Canada alternatives to everyday items.”
