Screen Printing and Ethical Fashion: The Unprecedented Collection of T-shirts and Blouses

The collaboration between designer Pascale Viau and textile screen-printing artist Katherine Paré, is an adventure that goes beyond mere clothing creation. Together, they have brought to life a unique collection of t-shirts and blouses, relying on recycling practices and eco-responsible production. They demonstrate that fashion design and garment production can be both innovative and environmentally friendly.

A Fusion of Talents for Unique Garments

Pascale and Katherine's project began with the idea of creating a t-shirt model and a blouse model, each available in various styles and print colors. The idea for this collaboration came naturally when the project for a special ^50th anniversary collection was presented to the members of l'Empreinte.

"For both of us, the mix was a no-brainer. Weboth work with fiber," explains Katherine. Pascale adds: "Katherine and I get on really well!"

This synergy between the two artists not only made the work easier, but also made the process more stimulating.

As Katherine emphasizes, "Being two is motivating. I feel a sense of responsibility towards Pascale and vice versa [...] for the project to go forwards".

How a Notebook of Old Sketches Adds Style to Uninspiring Fabrics 

The fabrics available guided the creative process. Each garment style inspired the cut and print patterns.

For the designs, Katherine pulled out a sketchbook, with drawings created a few years ago during a retreat in the countryside. These designs were reworked and adapted for Pascale's T-shirts and blouses.

"I chose from these drawings, scaled them back to the scale I wanted, and made them over and over again... So I created these patterns expressly for Pascale's T-shirts and shirts," she explains.

The Making: Merging Patterns and Materials with Ingenuity

One of the key aspects of this project is the use of recovered fabrics. Pascale found T-shirt fabric from a seamstresses' cooperative that had ceased its opereations. This soft and comfortable cotton had a cream color that needed a bit of a boost.

"So it was the perfect opportunity to put a little "oomph" to it," says Pascale.

Meanwhile, Katherine used a linen/cotton blend she had on hand, which was to fragile for her other creations. The pattern is not printed all over the fabric, but in specific areas, making each piece unique.

"We're having fun!" exclaims Pascale, while Katherine adds: "It's not necessarily planned in advance, it just happens spontaneously during the printing.

This spontaneous approach allows Pascale to play with patterns and make each garment unique. Some patterns are more subdued to ensure reproducibility for online sales, while others are bolder, featuring overlays and color shifts, resulting in exclusive pieces.

Recovery and Zero Waste: A No-Waste collection

Pascale and Katherine's commitment to the environment is evident in their approach to recovery and zero waste production.

Pascale explains: "We're going to salvage all the scraps. I have a new headband model that can be made with non-stretch fabric. Pretty much all of our production will be reclaimed."

As for Katherine, she's known for being "vulture" of leftover dyes, which she systematically collects and dries before taking the remnants to the eco-center. This approach reflects a deep respect for materials and a desire to minimize the ecological footprint of their production.

Production Challenge: Harmonizing Art and Structure

The production of these garments also represented a challenge for Katherine, who had to adapt her worklow. Producing a similar product in different sizes required new organization and close coordination with Pascale. For Pascale, too, planning the cutting of the pieces in the light of the printing techniques was a new experience:

"I don't understand anything about printing. I thought, you print the pattern and the rest be easy, but no! You have to calculate [the dimensions and plan the layout of the patterns]. Going to Katherine's workshop helped me better understand how to position [the silkscreen frames]."

Together, they overcame these challenges by planning the logical steps to facilitate each other's work. This experience not only enriched their collaboration, but also paved the way for future creations, such as a skirt collection that Katherine hopes to make on day.

Pascale and Katherine's collaboration for this special collection of T-shirts and blouses combines the originality of handmade patterns, the creative use of reclaimed materials, and a strong commitment to the environment. This project perfectly embodies the values of arts and crafts in Quebec: creativity, respect for materials, and local production. A collection that celebrates not only an anniversary, but also the craftsmanship (or craftswomanship?) and spirit of its creators!

Discover all the collaborative projects in this special 50th anniversary collection