independent clothing designer: Adhesif Clothing

Adhesif Clothing is dedicated to the sustainability of clothes and making one-of-a-kind pieces.  based in the home of the 2010 Olympics, Vancouver based independent clothing line, Adhesif, just launched its fun, feminine, colorful spring collection.  find out more from Adhesif designer, Melissa, in this interview below.

How did you get started creating your clothing line?

Well initially I started out working as a vintage clothing buyer and many of the items I found were damaged in some way and not in sellable condition. I bought a lot of those items for myself and would usually repair them or refurbish them by altering the style and creating a more modern feel. Ureka! The idea for Adhesif Clothing was born.

What three words would you use to describe your current collection?

Whimsical, feminine, eclectic

What do you think makes your designs different?

Aside from the fact that every single piece I create is completely one-of-a-kind, I would say that it is in how the garments are actually put together that makes them different. There is quite the thought process that goes into creating each piece with regards to the color composition and fabric selections. I’ve been told by my clients that the garments look like walking paintings with breaths all their own.

What do you see in the future for your collection?

I want to always work with reclaimed and vintage textiles to create my collections. If anything I would like to create more designs for men! I have so many ideas. It’s just a matter of time. Without giving too much away I’ll say that the Adhesif’s F/W Collection is inspired by the 1930’s.

Why should people buy clothes from an independent designer over a mass-market store?

Well there are a million reasons why people should buy local and the reasons are very obvious.  Supporting local produce and locally made items means supporting the local economy, which will only strengthen local communities. It’s actually a win-win situation if you really think about it.

With that said, most locally made garments, designs, and produce are very well made because many items are made by hand and there is more attention to the quality of the goods, thus meaning the longevity is there.

Also, people need to be informed about how damaging it is to buy mass produced anything. Sure the price is generally cheaper but it’s because most of the items are made to be disposable and have a non-existent lifespan. The consumer is thus forced to keep buying. Not a win-win situation. Unfortunately this means that these discarded items end up in landfills! Trust me, I’ve seen the proof of this first hand.