These Stylish Scarves Help Save At-Risk Wildlife (Win!)

Animal lovers are going to love getting to know Misheo—a Vancouver-based slow-fashion brand with a focus on luxury artisan made scarves that feature and fundraise for wildlife in need. Founder Michelle Pang uses her own original illustrations to make these incredible wearable pieces. We chatted with Michelle to find out more about her work, and her passion for animals. —Noa Nichol

Hi Michelle! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start.

I’m an illustrator by trade, and enjoy transforming colourful designs into wearable accessories. I think scarves are the perfect way to bring a piece of artwork with you wherever you go! 

When and why did you launch Misheo? What fashion niche were/are you aiming to fill? 

I launched Misheo in 2016 with an aim to merge art and fashion by creating functional wearable pieces from my original illustrations. The goal was to combine my love of scarves with my passion for art and wildlife. I feel like there is a gap in the Canadian market for luxurious, eco-conscious, artisan made scarves that speak for animals in need.

What products do you currently offer, and what makes them unique? 

In my shop, you can find a wide selection of art scarves and art prints that are inspired by the beauty of nature. The designs celebrate biodiversity and are made from original illustrations that feature rare wildlife, local flora and fauna, and at-risk species. 

We understand that Misheo subscribes to a slow fashion philosophy.  Can you tell us what that means in terms of your design, production, manufacturing process, and beyond? 

I believe in quality over quantity. Each design is drawn from scratch with much care, and can take up to a month to complete. Slow fashion also advocates for the production of better quality products that last longer and are kinder to the earth. That’s why all of our scarves are made in limited quantity batches, with natural fabrics, to minimize wastage and to ensure that they are unique. Our suppliers are hand selected so we can create high quality products that can last for a long time. Products are hand packed from my studio with minimal or no plastic in the packaging, in order to leave a lighter footprint on the planet when it’s time for shipping.

There is a charitable component to your work.  Can you tell us about the proceeds that go to wildlife in need? 

Yes! Five per cent of our net profits are donated to local and international charitable wildlife organizations to help wildlife in need. The organizations we donate to changes from year to year. 

Where does your love for animals come from?

I’ve always loved animals, but having a few pets throughout my life has really helped me appreciate them more. I get so much joy from seeing them interact with each other and to us humans. They have their own way of expressing emotions, and they care about how you treat them. I think it’s really interesting that we get to share our home with such diversity of wildlife. This diversity contributes to the health of our ecosystem. Once a species is gone, there is no going back, which is why I think it’s really important to preserve what we have now, before it’s too late.

Spring is coming up! What’s included in Misheo’s spring collection, and how do these pieces play to the season’s trends and/or what is the meaning/significance to their motifs? 

Misheo’s spring collection, “Lucky Pairs”, features two pairs of endangered animals, the Red Crowned Cranes of East Asia, and the Red Pandas of  Eastern Himalayas. Asian motifs for good luck, such as luscious bamboo, blossoming citrus fruits, and cherry or ‘Sakura’ flowers, can be found throughout the designs, making these scarves both lucky charms in their own right, and a beautiful piece of art to raise awareness for these at-risk species. 

How do you suggest we style/what are your personal top tips for styling a Misheo scarf?

Glad you asked! To get the most length out of a square scarf, I would suggest first to fold the scarf diagonally in half. Then, you can either drape it over the shoulder like a shawl, or continue rolling it into a long strip and wear it as a scarf. Tie a knot, if needed, to secure the scarf. Wearing a Misheo scarf is a great way to add a pop of color to a neutral wardrobe! There are many other ways to style the scarves, and if you need more inspiration, consider reading my ebook here. 

misheo.com

Win! Misheo’s $220 Red Crowned Cranes Cherry Sky Silk Twill Scarf!

Congrats Maria G. of St. Catharines, ON, who will receive Misheo’s Red Crowned Cranes Cherry Sky Silk Twill Scarf, valued at $220! Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadaily.ca. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.