From fabric hunting at The Salvation Army to boutiques carrying her designs, this Ryerson student has made an impact on Toronto fashion.
Jennifer Fukushima places an importance on keeping local business alive, energy conservation and waste reduction through designing and creating her clothing line, Paper People Clothing.
“The fashion industry has a bad reputation for so many reasons: pushing over consumption, promoting false ideals of beauty and decadent lifestyles, environmental degradation and human rights violations just to name a few. It’s an embarrassing industry to be a part of and we try whenever we can to counter these practices and provide a sound yet stylish alternative,” said Fukushima.
Paper People’s entire vintage is sourced locally while clothing is cut and sewn in Toronto. Electricity retailer, Bullfrog, powers the Paper People studio and no fabric scraps are wasted. On the Paper People website, paperpeopleclothing.com, local artists are encouraged to contact Fukushima to pick up and use the scraps for their own projects.
Fukushima grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Unable to find clothing suiting her personality in the stores around her, she would search the racks of The Salvation Army. Later, inspired by DIY websites and indie boutique shops found on a trip to Calgary, she started her own recycled handbag line in 2001, Paper People.
Bags were phased out after Fukushima moved to Toronto and began her Fashion studies at Ryerson University. With her focus now on clothing, she began with up-cycled shirts that were sold in downtown boutiques. Today, her designs are sold in various boutiques across Canada, including designer run boutique, Fresh Collective. Her line includes dresses, jackets, tops, sweaters and arm warmers.
Fukushima’s indie designs have made use of recycled items such as vintage slips and reclaimed scarves. The brand has an eclectic, unique, versatile feel.
“Paper People aims for those versatile items that express the wearer yet are appropriate for any occasion. Sweaters and dresses that are perfect attire for the office can also be worn on a fall forest adventure or bike ride to a favourite secluded retreat,” Fukushima’s new website explains.
Her upcoming fall/winter line introduces winter accessories like hats and mittens. To keep warm she has created sweater dresses and brought sweater hoodies into the line.
Gigi Wong designed Paper People Clothing’s new website, launched 27 July 2011.
“ It's as special and unique as the clothing it showcases,” Fukushima gushed, excited over the new site.
In spirit of spinning something old into something completely new, the new site has a unique, collage feel. It can be visited at paperpeopleclothing.com
Sources:
Interview with Jennifer Fukushima
