Fredericton’s One Stop Shop For Sustainable Clothes
FREDERICTON — When Brigitte Comeau started sewing at 16, she didn’t know it would turn into a business.
Now 21, Comeau makes, models, and sells clothing online at the One Stop Sustainability Shop.
“I got a sewing machine for my 16th birthday,” said Comeau. “But I was only altering clothes.”
As soon as she got her driver’s license, Comeau started buying her clothes from thrift stores. She said it’s sometimes hard to find clothing in her size, so she would take in shirts and pants to fit her better. Comeau started making her own designs a little over two years ago.
“I started it with my friend as just a fun thing to do,” said Comeau. “I didn’t really have the intention of making a business out of it and growing it, but it’s kind of become that.”
After her friend became too busy, Comeau continued to do everything on her own— even taking photos of herself modelling clothes with a handheld clicker. Her page, @onestopsustainabilityshop, now has over 1,400 followers.
She says she wasn’t great at sewing at the start, but that has changed after years of Youtube tutorials and practice.
“It’s given me an excuse to improve a skill that I wanted to improve,” said Comeau.
For a new drop, Comeau makes a set amount of clothing ahead of time in various styles all in her size. She also makes custom pieces like corsets. To buy an item you have to act fast, sending her a message before they sell out. If something doesn’t fit, she will alter it free of charge.
For inspiration for new pieces, Comeau looks at everything from Pinterest boards to runway shows. But what inspired her alternative business model was the wastefulness of the fashion industry.
“Once I learned about the impact of the fashion industry, ethically and sustainably I was like, ‘I can’t do this anymore,” said Comeau. “I can’t support fast fashion.”
But not buying from fast fashion stores by herself wasn’t enough. By using fabrics sourced from thrift stores to make her clothing, she provided a way for other people to do the same.
“I know sustainable clothing can be really expensive or hard to find,” said Comeau.
Another sustainable company in Fredericton, Sisterly Swimwear, hired Comeau as a designer and seamstress.
“We decided to do something for Earth Day,” said Comeau. “So I made a patchwork bathing suit top and we did a giveaway.”
The One Stop Sustainability Shop’s most recent collection dropped on Instagram last May. In the future, Comeau wants to rebrand and create a website to showcase her designs.
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Rachel Smith is an intern for Huddle. Send her story suggestions: [email protected].