Dartmouth Company Makes Sustainable, Breathable Outdoor Children’s Clothing
HALIFAX – Tabitha Osler has been working in the clothing industry for most of her adult life. After graduating from fashion school, her career took her all over Europe. The Halifax native always had a passion for making clothing more sustainable and environmentally friendly, so in 2018, she launched Fairechild Makewear, a sustainable children’s clothing company.
“I felt when I was working in a high-end luxury women’s wear that I wanted to create sustainable fashion and I felt that trying to create that change within a company, I didn’t have as much power as I would have liked,” said Osler.
“I felt like I needed to start from scratch and start my own brand.”
Osler explains that there are many ways to make clothing products more sustainable and less harmful to the environment. A company can stop using harmful chemicals, buy raw material that diverts waste from landfills and use crops that use organic growing methods.
“I approach it as creating clothing that has the lowest possible impact on the environment from a manufacturing perspective,” said Osler.
“There are so many different variables that make something sustainable.”
It wasn’t easy getting the Dartmouth clothing brand off the ground. In 2017, Osler managed to raise $20,000 through a Kickstarter campaign, which was enough to pay for the first batch of raw material. But the company has come a long way in just two years. Now Fairechild is launching its Plein Air collection; which is designed to be ideal for children playing outdoors.
The outerwear is more “breathable,” waterproof, and made from recycled materials.
“Our competitors use a product that is not breathable, which would be a PVC polyester,” claims Osler.
“So, by offering a breathable product, children aren’t getting sweaty and uncomfortable in the outdoors. It’s also a waterproof product.”
It is well known that children of this technological age don’t play outside as much as previous generations. Osler believes the Covid-19 pandemic has forced people to encourage children to play outside more.
“Right now, I think we’re seeing a resurgence in outdoor play because of COVID-19. The federal government is promoting children to spend as much time as possible outside while learning and playing,” said Osler.
“I also believe that in order for children to learn to care for our environment they need to fall in love with it. They need to be champions and stewards of environmental protection.”
One may wonder why Osler would choose Dartmouth to headquarter her clothing company, after living in places like London, England, and across Europe. But Osler loves Nova Scotia and wants to live next to the ocean.
“After living in London, I actually realized I am Canadian, I need to be by the ocean; I need nature, and that lifestyle of working 80 hours a week was going to kill me,” said Osler.
It turns out Dartmouth was a good place to set up shop. Fairechild has benefited from government programs, like employee subsidies and non-repayable loan contributions. The business has also taken off in the sales department. The clothing line is being sold in Japan, Canada, United States, and across Europe. The company made $250,000 at the end of the 2020 fiscal year. And things are only looking up from here.
“I’m confident we’re going to double that,” said Osler. In August, sales alone have been double what they have been previously. Business is booming despite coronavirus and we’re trying to catch up with orders.”