Silk Laundry’s New Collection Aims To Save Endangered Species (Win!)

We love a stylish release for a good cause. Silk Laundry’s latest capsule collection, called Endangered Species, aims to raise awareness about animals facing extinction and bring to light how quickly we are losing our wildlife globally. We chatted with founder and creative director Katie Kolodinski about the limited-edition print, and her personal passion for all creatures great and small. —Vita Daily

Hi Katie! Please tell us a bit about yourself and Silk Laundry to start.

I’m the founder and creative director of Silk Laundry, which I started in 2015. I’m Australian-Canadian. I grew up in a small town in Ontario, then moved to Australia when I was 18. I am also a mother of two. Our family moved to Montreal in August 2018 for a change of pace and today we are back in Australia (for now!) due to COVID-19. Silk Laundry’s style is effortless and functional. We design pieces to live longer than a season. They function within your life and request only that you enjoy living in them each time they are worn.

How has sustainability played a role in the brand to date?

Sustainability is such a complex issue. However, what I do know is that polyester is essentially plastic, and I have always been greatly opposed to this fiber, as well as fashion that you will only wear a few times before it gets donated or tossed to landfill. I would prefer to say that we are conscious of the current state of the environment with a global view and are doing the best we can. We use silk and mostly natural blends, and these can essentially biodegrade into the earth. Adding to that, I do not follow trends and encourage thoughtful consumerism. I try, where I can, to make decisions that are best environmentally for all as well as be good to our supply chain. Our goal is to make quality pieces that people can love and live in for years to come. We will continue to raise awareness by creating capsule collections with organisations working against animal endangerment, environmental disasters and social injustice. Eliminating the use of plastics, implementing more organic and recycled materials and using natural dyes derived from plants. I’m also very proud to say that we have recently completed the B Impact Assessment and are working toward becoming a certified B Corporation.

What pieces are included in and what is the aim of Silk Laundry’s latest “Endangered Species” capsule collection?

The capsule includes a ’90s Silk Slip Dress and a Short Sleeve Boyfriend Shirt. These two silhouettes are versatile. Not only are they stand-alone pieces but make for excellent layering items too. It was the best choice for the Endangered Species print because of this. They can be worn as statement pieces or paired back as a layered style for a more subtle wear. Though the idea of the capsule is to draw attention to the message that the print talks to, being that there are animals and plants in our ecosystem that we are about to lose forever. Not only can we, potentially, do something to save them if we work together but that we are also to blame for their declination in population, unfortunately. that, I would have loved to have included a bat solely for the importance bats play in pollinating our world.

Of the animals included in the print, do you have a “favourite” or one that’s particularly close to your heart?

They are all my favourite. When I was a child, I had a deep love for animals, insects, nature and anything living. I’d prefer to help an injured squirrel or bird, or ant, then play video games—or any other game for that matter. And as I grew older my love for animals and the earth remained. It’s hard for me to love one more than the other. I love them all equally.

What else can we all do to protect endangered species?

Live consciously. Don’t waste. Eat organically, or at least educate yourself on where your food and animal biproducts come from. Participate in composting, recycling and reduce your use of pesticides and chemical-based products. Write letters to the government opposing environmental degradation and have healthy conversations with friends and family about what we can all do better too. Surprisingly, these small steps go a long way. The most important thing is realising the interconnectivity we all share—plants, animals and human beings—and changing your lifestyle as best you can to accommodate all living things.

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Win! A Pair Of Silk Laundry Endangered Species Print Pillowcases!

Congrats Sean A. of Winnipeg, MB, who will receive a pair of Silk Laundry Endangered Species print pillowcases! 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.