By: Staff Writer
October 29, 2021
The circular economy is a new concept not missed on this plucky Trinidadian fashion designer as she vows to always use recyclable material for her clothing and accessories.
Elizabeth Francis, a Sustainable Fashion Designer and owner/operator of Christique Clothing, speaking with Caribbean Magazine Plus told us that while she is still working the pandemic is really taking a toll and without any financial relief, she has to push on with her new projects.
She added that they have COVID-19 grants for businesses in T&T, but the roll out is forever. With a total lockdown for 5 months, we are still trying to get all of the funding.”
But shipping is “killing” Small and Medium Sized Businesses in Trinidad at the moment Elizabeth also said, so sourcing raw materials from abroad can be a painful experience. Much of the world is suffering from shipping backlogs as large cargo ships are camped out in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, trying to make their way to port, but these large cargo ships are faced with trucking shortages on top of lack of port employees to help offload their cargo.
Elizabeth also said that she is getting her goods from the far East at the moment, “because I’m a sustainable fashion designer, I’m determined to use only natural fibres ethically produced. The variety here is limited. I want to introduce the clients to the amazing organic and recycled organic fabric s out there. The circular economy is happening.”
A circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible that aims at tackling global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution.
In this climate conscious environment, Elizabeth fits right in. “Its basically, recycling waste and using technology to produce organic and sustainable fabrics all with a zero waste policy. And with care for the environment, so it’s creating stuff that has an extended life. Whatever waste that is created is re-used as fertilisers or rugs or craft items,” she said.
She added: “So in my research I’ve connected with sustainable organisations that has a membership of persons in tech, science and fashion that are doing some amazing stuff. My brand is aesthetic and is built on sustainability and exercising environmental responsibility
Elizabeth officially started Christiquestyles by Liz in 1995 in the bustling town of Arima, Trinidad and Tobago and up to today many of her clients have remained faithful to her way of doing things. They understand what she is about and how she is helping the environment and making handcrafted designs.
