Frank and Oak founder talks minimalism
You don’t have to be an avid follower of fashion to know minimalism is in.
From monochromatic looks to unembellished ensembles, these days, less is more. But can that mentality also lead to a positive impact on the environment?
The team at the Montrealbased brand Frank and Oak think so. Cofounder Ethan Song chats about its Minimal collection, protecting the environment and why minimalism is for everyone:
Q What is the Minimal collection?
A It’s Frank and Oak’s approach toward increasing the sustainability of the product we design and make. It’s about our commitment to do our part to change how we consume and the impact we all have on our planet. Having spent a few years at UBC and a big fan of hiking and snowboarding, I have always been very conscious about the importance of protecting our environment. At Frank and Oak, we do it by creating product from environmentally friendly materials and by using lower-impact manufacturing processes.
Q Who is the collection for?
A The Minimal collection is designed for everyone. It’s really about making products that are more sustainable available to everyone and at an accessible price. I see parallels between the sustainability movement and the health and wellness movement. It started as a very niche movement and has grown tremendously in society and educated people to be much more conscious about what they eat and how it was produced.
Q What’s one misconception about “green” fashion?
A That a green product must be more expensive or have a hippie style — price and style do not have to be compromised when making a great product more sustainable. It’s not about how it looks that makes it “green” fashion, it’s about how it was made and what it was made from.
Q How does this collection represent Frank and Oak increasing its sustainability?
A It’s part of a larger commitment we have to our community and our environment and to reducing our carbon footprint.
Q What other types of sustainable practices/collections does the brand have going on?
A The commitment to a more minimal impact is of high priority for us. As such, we will be launching other collections and products that will continue to reinvent this category, including Tencel and hemp-based products. We’re also looking into how we can minimize our impact through our retail stores and packaging. It’s really about making sure that we are doing everything we can to contribute to our community and the preservation of our environment.