DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT

Cruelty-free and Size Inclusive Designer Hilary Macmillan Marks Earth Day with Launch of New Sustainable Collection.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day Hilary MacMillan announces launch of all-new Sustainable Signature Blouse.

Renowned Canadian designer, Hilary MacMillan announced the launch of an all-new sustainable basics collection in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, 2020.

MacMillan revisited the brand’s best-selling signature blouse to re-release it as the first edition of the brand’s much anticipated SUSTAINABLE label. The Sustainable Signature Blouse marks an important new direction for the brand, as it continues to further develop sustainable practices within its existing cruelty-free and size inclusive offerings.

“Since starting the Hilary MacMillan label, I’ve been consciously aware of our environmental impact and carbon footprint,” states Hilary MacMillan, Designer of Hilary MacMillan. “As we evolved into a cruelty-free brand, it was a natural choice to further explore what it means to be a brand participating in eco-conscious and sustainable practices and I’m proud to say this collection is the beginning of a very important journey for Hilary MacMillan.”

This blouse is truly so exciting to me, we have worked so hard over the years to perfect the fit, and now all the best things about this blouse are elevated by the fact that it’s biodegradable, naturally dyed and sustainably made in small batches.
— Hilary MacMillan

The Sustainable Signature Blouse is made from 100% cupro, a cruelty-free alternative to traditional silk made of unused cotton liner by-product. Cupro can be decomposed by living bacteria when buried in soil within 4-5 months. The 5 colour ranges of the blouse are derived from scrap onion skins, rice, bamboo, grapes and various mixes of natural ingredients – all of which are from ‘off-cut’ planet materials. MacMillan’s dedication to low environmental impact also includes the careful selection of the fabric manufacturer, who uses fibre waste as a subsequent fuel for power generation, receiving a 99.8% zero-emissions rating in 2019.

Ethically produced in limited quantities, the Signature Sustainable Blouse is now available on www.hilarymacmillan.com in extensive sizing, XS to 4X, priced at $220 CAD/$165 USD. Colours include Black, Blue, Cream, Ice Blue, and Mustard.

As a response to COVID-19, MacMillan recently shifted manufacturing to produce non-medical grade masks for frontline workers in Canada. The brand has produced thousands of masks for pharmaceutical workers, hospital staff, elder care facilities, not-for-profit organizations, and various other essential workers in an effort to support the community and help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Hilary MacMillan
www.hilarymacmillan.com

Hilary MacMillan is a contemporary, cruelty-free, size-inclusive womenswear brand based in Toronto, Canada. The eponymous brand was founded in 2013 and is renowned for offering versatile pieces in timeless silhouettes. The brand focuses on using high-quality, cruelty-free fabrics to design ready-to-wear pieces in bold colours and textures with the modern-day consumer in mind.

All images courtesy of Hilary MacMillan.