Everything moves at a fast pace in Montreal, and the fashion industry is no exception.

“It’s not easy at all,” says DorsaLi founder and fashion designer Dorsa Babaei.

Nevertheless, Babaei is determined to slow down the fashion industry in Montreal.

That’s why their brand only uses sustainable fabrics, purchased exclusively in Montreal, and works with local, ethical manufacturers.

However, Babaei admits that this comes at a price.

“If we produced our pieces somewhere else, it would be much more time-efficient – ​​we would produce our pieces faster, but then it would not be sustainable,” she says.

In Montreal, sustainable local options are limited, explains Marie-Eve Faust, professor of fashion at UQAM.

“Local designers can’t produce the fabrics and fibers here,” she says. “We can’t produce them here yet.”

From paying fair wages to purchasing ethically sourced textiles, Faust says fashion designers face significant economic hurdles if they want to keep production local.

“When there is an open market and anyone from other countries can sell their products to our customers, it is difficult to compete,” explains the fashion expert. “We are not competing on fair prices or under fair conditions.”

For fashion designer Vincent La Kuash, however, it’s not about competition, but about standing out from the crowd.

His brand Lakuachimoto offers gender-neutral garments inspired by streetwear and high-fashion styles.

Committed to the slow fashion movement, La Kuash releases a single clothing collection each year. His sixth collection, titled “Goldfish,” is a tribute to optimism inspired by Japan.

His approach to producing clothing sustainably also includes avoiding any waste.

“I make some fabrics from scraps, so I usually use up all the fabric and end up with nothing left over,” explains La Kuash.

According to Babaie, this is one way to counter fast fashion.

“If you talk to different brands and designers, you will find that many of them have different approaches,” she adds.

And as for consumers, Jeff Golf, personal fashion stylist and co-founder of Ludique, believes people are increasingly connecting with the message behind the movement.

“The idea of ​​slow fashion is the feeling of consciously and consciously buying clothes that are sustainable and environmentally friendly, that are produced under humane conditions and where you are aware of where the products come from,”

He even notices that more and more customers want to participate in slow fashion.

“Twenty years ago nobody talked about it and today people are excited about the idea of ​​supporting local communities,” explains Golf.

It remains to be seen whether this trend can withstand the fast fashion giants.

Many in the local industry hope that style-conscious Montrealers can lead by example.