Lav & Kush gives sustainable clothing a sexy spin

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      Although Vancouver’s sartorial reputation as Gore-Tex central has (thankfully) dwindled in recent years, our affinity for clothing inspired by the environment, an outdoor lifestyle, and all things green has not. Some would even say our city leads the pack when it comes to environmentally friendly, sustainable fashion, and new local label Lav & Kush is out to prove that this is quite possibly true.

      Launched this past spring, Lav & Kush is already available in more than 30 stores across Canada and the northwestern United States—a higher retail count than many, more seasoned B.C. labels. Founder and designer Angela Saxena, who originally hails from Saskatoon, attributes much of her success to the fact that other local eco-conscious clothing companies are geared toward either the yoga or higher-end markets, not the middle range that focuses on everyday wearability.

      “There’s so much contradiction within us human beings,” says Saxena, “but I think we really can have it all—sexy, flirty, and pretty clothing that’s still sustainable.”

      After more than 13 years as a clothing sales rep both for a local company and, since 2000, her own Saks Sales Agency, Saxena was finally able to discern what the market was missing.

      “I was seeing all these fabrics that were pretty and eco-friendly, but saw them being used for yoga wear,” she remembers. “I wanted to do dresses instead!”

      Today, her background as a sales agent offers her insight into a side of the fashion business often misunderstood by designers. “The creative part of it is so small compared to everything else,” she explains. “It’s such a strange industry,” she continues, where ultimately, “if you’re not selling your clothes, you start to run into problems”.

      Saxena completed her formal fashion-design training at the now-defunct Form & Function Design Academy in Calgary and at Kwantlen University College, where she graduated in 1994. Today, though she continues to sell active-wear labels to stores through Saks, she is focused primarily on promoting Lav & Kush—which, considering the brand’s easy appeal, shouldn’t be difficult.

      Named for Hinduism’s “royal twins”—the two sons of Lord Rama, believed by some to have inspired the Diwali festival of lights—Lav & Kush debuted with 20 pieces, including basic tanks and tees and ruffled dresses in earth tones, with graphic screen prints and punches of black and white.

      One raspberry-red dress has a frilled, asymmetrical hemline and a boatneck collar, while a black O-ring halter dress comes emblazoned with a bright screen-print of butterflies. Other bestsellers include a one-piece halter pantsuit (similar to the catsuits of yesteryear) and a brown, tiered skirt (also available in black and aqua).

      The line is ideal for the Vancouver lifestyle: throw on the three-quarter-sleeve, black-and-white-striped tunic dress for a trip to the beach, add a chunky bangle for a patio barbecue and a pair of comfortable heels for a night of dancing. In other words, it’s the perfect summer wardrobe.

      Calling her pieces “basics with a twist”, she has created plenty of “bloat-friendly” clothing with strategically placed gathers and detailing. Case in point: a draped-neck top and plenty of ruched-front dresses that can help disguise a full stomach. “We want women to feel good in everything,” says Saxena.

      Nothing by Lav & Kush retails for over $150—a marvel given that it’s all produced here in Vancouver using enviro-friendly, often-expensive fabrics such as Modal, Tencel, super-soft bamboo, and silk chiffon. (Lav & Kush is available at Nima’ma Maternity [2938 West Fourth Avenue] and the Barefoot Contessa [3715 Main Street].)

      While other Vancouver labels such as Elroy and Nicole Bridger use similar fabrics, Lav & Kush is more about comfort and prettiness, rather than fine tailoring and couture detailing. Besides, “We’re all supportive of each other here,” says Saxena, “and the styling of our lines is so different that I wouldn’t really consider them my competition.”

      And really, when it’s ecofriendly fashions we’re talking about, the more the better.

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