By Staff Writer
December 4, 2020
A Trinidadian fashion designer says that sourcing sustainable fabric is not cheap, but she had to pay attention to the “destruction of her environment while creating a whole new lifestyle .
Elizabeth Francis, owner/operator of Christique Clothing, speaking with Caribbean Magazine Plus told us: “Sustainable fashion is the foundation of my brand and research into fibre technology and natural plant dyes are further projects that the brand would be working on.”
Ms Francis has 20 years of experience in the fashion Industry at different levels and right now she is the “2020 Emerging Designer” representing Trinidad and Tobago from the Caribbean, selected by Caribbean Styles and Culture /Karibnation out of Washington.
Ms Francis also told us: “The brand Christique Clothing is a fairly new start up, built on sustainability. I want to design clothing and accessories that embody the vibe, passion and ecology of the Caribbean Islands.
Ms Francis has also been featured on the Caribbean Export Development Agency’s website, where we first saw her amazing work. They said about Ms Francis: “As an island citizen who loves nature, art, music and fashion, Elizabeth’s inspiration for her designs are a reflection of the rich culture and environment within the Caribbean. Her 2020 eco-friendly bridal and resort wear collection called “Green Nuptials” was inspired by one of her trips to the rainforest in the beautiful ‘nature isle’ of Dominica.”
Ms Francis further told us about sustainability: “We all know the fashion Industry is one of the biggest polluters, and as a designer I want to use my brand to a change agent. Even with the present pandemic, we have been called to pay attention to the destruction of our environment, and so I’m encouraging my clients to choose garments that are made from natural fibres that are produced ethically with zero waste.
She added: “Our target is Bridal /Resort wear, and are multipurpose yet elegant, classy and timeless. My inspiration comes from our beautiful Islands, art, music, travel and life itself.”
Ms Francis has big plans for 2020 and said, “2020 would have been our first year and our break out year but COVID-19 had shelved a lot of our plans, however we have also triumphed in the face of adversity, we have had to pivot to swim against the current, but also to be innovative and use wisdom to see opportunities in obstacles.”
“We have done a lot of marketing building our following, getting people to follow our tribe and understand that we are about more than just fashionable clothing. We are creating a lifestyle.
In a time of economic down turn our brand encouraging and providing creative solutions to multi-purpose and repurposing of garment s is building in interest. “
Ms Francis said sourcing materials isn’t cheap in Trinidad and Tobago and said, “Getting organic fabric isn’t cheap or accessible in Trinidad, but we have been making connections with online suppliers in the US and India. Our desire is not too just offer simple cotton but other varieties of cotton and more popular fabrics like silks, bamboo, hemp and organic denims.”
Ms Francis remains positive about the outlook for the fashion industry in the Caribbean and said, “Caribbean fashion is in great hands. I think we have come a long way from the coco palm and pineapple prints. There’s so much innovation, so much style and we do have our very own aesthetic, but it’s a blend of so many amazing factors.”
Thank you so much for the feature , I’m so happy the message of sustainability in fashion is being spread, every little effort help,s.