[Collina Strada](https://collinastrada.com/) took the stage for Fall/ Winter 2020 with a runway drenched in plants and vegetation. Models were seen "hoeing" onstage, hence the witty title, "Garden Ho." The collection sought to lift the veil our corporate food system hides behind and inform the community with accessible, sustainable solutions. Though, designing for and with sustainability in mind isn't a new philosophy to designer, Hillary Taymour. The young brand has an undeniably infectious ability to make a frightful reality, climate change, into a playful call to action. Post- NYFW, Flaunt caught up with Hillary to discuss the collection from fabric sourcing in Ghana to her creative process, and recommended 'green' tips for all.
**_Your Fall/ Winter 2020 collection, “Garden Ho,” exposes the failures of our corporate food system. What prompted this interactive discussion, and what would you like viewers and the Collina Strada community to take away?_**
I just want my consumer and audience to have fun and realize we can change our ways in an uplifting way. Optimism is the best way to address a problem or change.
**_What led you to purchase and rework garments from the largest second-hand clothing market in Ghana, the Kanta-Manto Market?_**
Charlie Engman my creative partner introduced me to Liz at The Or Foundation. I just really wanted to be a part of what they are doing and help out in anyway I could. Creating awareness to a problem is the first step.
**_After receiving your Kanta-Manto Market garments, what did the design process look like?_**
I just remade pieces that were in the collection. The beauty behind it is it’s still Collina Strada and I used the tees as a fabric base. You don’t need to overthink and redesign everything just because it’s a new material.
**_How has your climate activism changed your design methods and philosophy over the years?_**
It’s just been a slow progression, I design within the limitations of what fabrications I find that are sustainable.
**_What are your five recommended ‘green’ tips for us all?_**
Stop buying plastic water bottles, reduce your overall plastic consumption, cook more food , brew your coffee at home, and stop eating meat.
* * *
**_Collina Strada FW20 collection notes…_**
THIS COLLECTION IS PRIMARILY MADE FROM CUSTOM PRINTED ROSE SYLK AND DEADSTOCK FABRICS INSPIRED BY OUR MOTHER.
CORPORATE FARMS IN THE U.S. RELEASE ONE BILLION POUNDS OF CARCINOGENIC CHEMICALS EACH YEAR THAT DEPLETE THE BEE POPULATION AND POISON THE EARTH. THEY WRAP PRODUCE IN UNRECYCLABLE PLASTIC TO BE SHIPPED AN AVERAGE OF 1500 MILES, RELEASING CARBON EMISSIONS INTO THE AIR. WHEN WE BUY THIS PRODUCE TO FEED OURSELVES, WE ARE CONTINUING TO FEED THE CORPORATE FOOD SYSTEM. IF WE MAINTAIN THIS SYSTEM WE ONLY HAVE 60 YEARS LEFT TO BE ABLE TO GROW CROPS AT ALL.
WE NEED TO GROW OUR OWN FOOD.
A 10X10 FOOT GARDEN KEEPS AN ESTIMATED 27 LBS OF CO2 OUT OF THE ATMOSPHERE, REDUCES WASTE, AND CONNECTS US TO OUR COMMUNITY.
GET OUTSIDE AND BE A GARDEN HO.
KANTAMANTO MARKET IN ACCRA, GHANA IS LIKELY THE LARGEST SECONDHAND CLOTHING MARKET IN AFRICA, IF NOT THE WORLD. AT LEAST 15MILLION ITEMS OF “DONATED” CLOTHING COME TO THE MARKET FROM THE GLOBAL NORTH EVERY WEEK. THE CURRENT POPULATION OF GHANA IS AROUND 30 MILLION, SO ROUGHLY 40% OF CLOTHING ENTERING GHANA IMMEDIATELY BECOMES WASTE, POLLUTING GHANA’S BEACHES, OVERFLOWING ITS LANDFILLS, AND WREAKING HAVOC ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY. GHANA HAS, IN EFFECT, BECOME ONE OF THE GLOBAL NORTH’S FASHION TRASH CANS.
FOR THIS SHOW WE CREATED PIECES USING CLOTHING WE PURCHASED AT KANTA- MANTO MARKET THAT ORIGINALLY CAME THERE FROM NORTH AMERICA, DESTINED FOR WASTE. WE’RE PICKING UP OUR SHIT.
WE WILL BE DONATING ALL SET ELEMENTS TO ELIZABETH STREET GARDEN. A TREE WILL BE PLANTED FOR EVERY SHOW ATTENDEE.
* * *
Photos courtesy of Matteo Prandoni at BFA
.jpeg)
