Refined Fabrics, Process, and Awareness

By decreasing their carbon footprint, OAK + FORT continues to proceed for a more environmentally conscious design. The brand’s collection OAK Refined, has been created in hopes of making a better future through the process of precisely choosing what fabrics they use and who they partner with.

With malls being open again for the public to shop in, it is evident that the world is finally starting to emerge from COVID-19. However, one cannot help but wonder what the fashion retail industry is doing to respond to the environmental concerns the world is currently facing. The Canadian founded brand OAK+FORT, has already started and continues to make environmentally responsive choices for their brand’s collection OAK Refined, with the intentions of improving the world’s quality of life.

OAK + FORT started its brand during 2010, in Vancouver, BC. The brand has now grown throughout North America and offers worldwide shipping. The Candian company aims to create a unique experience for every store location, while maintain what they are known for - a minimal, organic aesthetic.

After speaking to former floor manager of the Toronto Eaton Centre’s location, Adrian Walton Cordeiro, the brand’s collection OAK Refined, focuses on using refined fabrics, process, and awareness.

Adrian states that the brand chose to partner with HALLOTEX, as it was important for the brand to pair up with someone who shares a common outlook on integrity and transparency. Adrian shared that the company’s website goes into depth about exactly how this collection is growing towards a better future. She quoted “All the fabrics in this collection were carefully chosen and developed with our partner to have a positive impact on the environment. These materials include Organic Cotton, Better Cotton, Ecovero Viscose, Recycled Cotton, and Recycled Polyester. Farmers produce the fabrics in a way that is measurably better for the environment and farming communities thus reducing 20% of new material extraction from the planet.”

OAK + FORT is using a process that is much more eco-friendly when being compared to popular fast fashion brands. The brand promises “All these materials significantly lower the degree of greenhouse gas production and arharvested sustainably. They involve far less water consumption compared to traditional alternatives that saturate the market. The recycled fiber from textile waste is given a new life, reducing 20% of new material extraction from the planet”, according to the OAK + FORT website.

OAK Refined has “attracted a new type of clientele to the store”, as reported by former floor manager of the Toronto Eaton Centre Store, Adrian Walton Cordeiro. The brand has raised awareness for their collection OAK Refined by “Shining a light on these materials and processes is a core purpose for the collection. We are happy to provide our community an ecologically aware capsule, designed within our minimalist and creative aesthetic we are known and loved for. We commit to learning and growing within our industry, taking responsible steps forward that we are proud of”, according to the brands website (ca.oakandfort.com).

Oh, George! is happy to see that as the world continues to emerge out of the COVID-29 pandemic, brands are making the change to alter the negative effects the fashion retail industry has been creating for years, with OAK + FORT being one of them!