OK friends, tell me. Who else had a fabulous Earth Day at the pier? Whether your joy was sparked through great food, an awesome music lineup, learning about solar panels, or the bliss of an event where your small children can run free, I hope your heart was full and golden like the sun that shone mid-morning, visible and bright after the morning clouds burned off.
My Earth Day joy was found in a small human-sized standing tent, hangers dangling from an elastic strap, voices from the knowledge booth next door floated through the small anti-asphyxiation flap above my head. The teacher guided an experiential education of metamorphosis, as the children, from the sound of it, were all emerging from their chrysalises. I tried on clothes one by one in my little mobile modesty booth, feet picking up small pebbles from the street with every new outfit. I emerged successful, an armload of pre-loved treasures ready to stuff into my tote bag and carry home for their soon-to-be reincarnated existence in my wardrobe.
The textile industry, responsible for about 10 per cent of global emissions, also drives water consumption, pollution, and microplastic shedding. Today, most of the fashion world is still linear: what isn’t sold or used becomes waste. Circularity — keeping materials in use for as long as possible — offers a better way. A circular fashion system values clothes that are made to last, shared, repaired, resold, and eventually recycled, reducing environmental impact at every step.
Because the production phase has the most environmental impact in a garment’s lifecycle (about 72 per cent) procuring clothing from the planet-friendly vendors at our Earth Day celebration is a simple and delightful way to have a positive carbon impact, by extending the life of something already made. Extra bonus: you end up with a unique style, with pieces that feel gathered, not bought.
Cassidy at Roberts Creek Wellbeing keeps the Heart of the Creek stocked with pre-loved finds. She sources from a Lower Mainland warehouse that collects unclaimed clothing from around North America. Not for the weak, she navigates near literal mountains of clothing as she finds trendworthy pieces. Her trips are preceded by Instagram stories as she welcomes wish lists. A new addition to the racks are her own creations –– denim pieces adorned with patchwork panels, sourced from fabrics found by hand.
Across the way on the forest-side of the event was Sarita from Wolfpups Studio, who has organized the clothing swap at Earth Day for the last three years. Lingering, soaking in small exchanges, I smiled as I watched my own items travel off in new hands.
Two new-to-me vendors were Second House and Nauvel Gallery, where I found my armload of treasures, the crown jewel being a vintage cardigan featuring a cat with a rhinestone collar and sparkly music notes. Don’t be jealous. Rounding out the Roberts Creek fashion tour was Talaysay Campo’s Love the Land apparel –– not secondhand but certainly Earth positive through its local production, indigenous artist creators, and conscious connection to land and culture.
Turns out, joy can be secondhand too — and just as golden. And there’s plenty more to be found right here at home.
Latin Funk — DJs Sam Pulpo & Paola; May 3, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Roberts Creek Legion.
MMIWG March — May 4, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cowrie St and Ocean Ave, Sechelt. Join to honor and remember missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
Spring Garden Workshop — with Cheryl Topping, ISA certified arborist and horticulture technician; May 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Roberts Creek Legacy Garden. $25–$45 sliding scale.
