SUSAN HARRIS DESIGN 135 Tecumseth, 416-703-8537, www.susanharrisdesign.ca Rating: NNNNN
Susan Harris takes a holistically sustainable approach to the line of women’s- and kids’-wear she sells from her studio and boutique on Tecumseth. Vintage picks and recycled fabric remnants get collage-stitched into earthy sweaters, shirts and accessories by sewers found through Sistering, a program that the helps socially isolated women. The whole operation runs on green power from Bullfrog.
Harris’s progressive production methods are matched by her fashion-forward and instantly recognizable looks. Retro silk blouses in charming florals and stripes get a new life as light summer camisoles. Wildlife images and planet-championing statements cut off the fronts of found T-shirts are inlaid into tank tops and tunics.
Kids’ pieces (a perfect little girl’s coat that poufs out at its empire waist, or kimono-style wrap patchwork tops) and cubbies full of striped arm warmers and pageboy caps are great gifts for junior ecoholics and newbies greening their style for the first time.
Susan Harris picks: A red fox peeks through the serged window of a sleeveless T, $58 arm warmers made of contrasting wool bands let you wear your earth-friendliness on your sleeve, $28 a naturally dyed hemp coat is accented with slouchy pleated pockets, $260.
Look for: A chimpanzee print created by Australian artist Amanda Crichton for a line of shirts and sweaters highlighting the plight of endangered species.
Hours: Tuesday to Friday noon to 6 pm, Saturday noon to 5 pm.
