Hearts was founded on the idea that "Conscious Minds Create Change". The committed team works with artisans all over the world to create
exclusive fashion forward designs that are made with
respect for the Earth, AND make a difference in people's lives.
I'm thrilled to share with you my interview with the Creative Director of Hearts, Stephanie Petro whose favourite one-liner is - "Success is measured in the lives we change, one person at a time".
Q.
Can you tell us a little bit about how Hearts first came about?
The
fashion industry is one of the largest sectors of global commerce. It costs
Americans $75 each annually to bury our waste in landfills. At Hearts we love
upcycling materials into new fashion, this is one way we help save our
communities money and landfill space. Our goal in forming Hearts is to use
fashion as our voice to create awareness, progress, and world change.
The heart
of Hearts is about a conscious decision to support good, while looking good. We
want consumers to realize their purchasing power and be part of creating world
change. We are passionate about providing education and awareness so consumers
have the knowledge to create change and be part of a community that supports
it.
Q.
How would you describe Hearts’ design aesthetic in 10 words or less?
Our
designs represent a deep compassion and
connection with people and our planet.
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| Hearts has partnered with ARTICLE22 to support artisans in Laos who
re-purpose bombs by recycling the metal into accessories and paying
artisans at least 4x local market rates |
Q.
Can you tell us a little bit about what makes your label both socially ethical
and eco-friendly?
Hearts
designs consciously through artistic express and with respect to our planet.
Our goal is to change the typical distribution channels with intent to positively
impact the lives of people and take less from the planet. We are able to do
this through providing awareness and aligning our products with our world
causes, materials, and processes.
 |
| This lovely headband has been handcrafted from upcycled fabric remnants! This exclusive Hearts item is created using only a solar powered sewing machine |
When you purchase a Hearts product you
are not only fashionably accessorizing yourself for the day, you are feeding a
family, supporting education, creating justice and equality, preserving
cultural traditions and acknowledging the people who make your fashion.
Q.
What organizations are Hearts currently partnering with and why?
We
have created our iHeart Change Partnership program to support our partners who
are working to solve one or more world causes: Environment Sustainability,
Quality of Life in a Community, Education, Freedom and Social Justice, Human
Rights, Cultural Awareness and Conflict Resolution.
With iHeart Change, we are able to support these
projects through increasing awareness and providing financial support. We are
also able to help spread awareness through our product partnership, partner
video segments featured on Heart to Heart Talks and on our Hearts.com blog.
Q.
How influential do you think social media has been in pushing for a more
ethical fashion industry?
The
power of social media must be respected and used positively to reach all demographics
and on a global level. It allows us to connect to consumers, and bring
awareness about world causes.
We are
also able to connect with organizations and ethical movements to build a
network and share ideas. Through social
media, collectively we are able to increase awareness, share and provide solutions, and help shape the future.
Q.
Which ethical designers are inspiring you right now?
Stella McCartney and Saffia Minney
from People Tree. They are both leaders in the Fair
Trade movement and bring awareness to ethical and environmentally conscious
fashion.
Q. If
you could instantly change one thing about fashion today, what would that be?
The
biggest challenge Hearts and our international artisans face is overcoming the
limitations set by the standards in today’s current fashion practices. While
Hearts is firmly grounded in our slow fashion movement, there is still a very
big demand for fast fashion. We believe this is simply because there is not
enough information out there for consumers to be provided an alternative choice
and still have the “wow” feeling when they purchase something new.
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| The Sunshine Clutch has been handmade in Indonesia ensuring ethical employment and fair wages for this local artisan community |
The Hearts design team truly takes time to
work with our artisans and cultivate their talents to be at the forefront of
current fashion trends. There will always be another hurdle and a way to make
improvements. The Hearts team gladly accepts this challenge, but we cannot do
it alone. Each conscious purchase consumers make is a vote to show fast fashion
that good things are worth waiting for.
Q. What does the future hold for Hearts?
If
Hearts is able to reach just one person through our movement we have already
done our job, of course we dream big so we will not stop at just one awakened
consumer. Hearts hopes to inspire people to think differently about their
purchases, not just in the fashion industry but in every aspect of consumerism.
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| Love Note iPad Sleeve handcrafted in South America, with proceeds contributing to the purchase of books for local schools in Bolivia |
The value a monetary purchase has is very powerful and can impact change on a
global scale. We hope to show through transparency that while all is not
perfect, the smallest things do indeed add up. When we share the knowledge of
the artisans behind our fashion, our manufacturing processes, the materials we
favor and our practices, we hope that people will listen and become inspired.
We believe with all our hearts that when everyone is provided with facts, they
will work towards conscious consumerism and make demands for other companies to
do the same.
Read our blogs, watch our videos, wear our fashion and become an educated voice to speak on the reality of our current situation.
**Dearest readers, I'm so excited to share with you a special code just for you to receive $25 off your next purchase from Hearts - KINDNESS2012 - this code expires on 01/01/2013**
