SPOTLIGHT: Grown Lady Garments brings sustainable clothing to Windsor
Alley Biniarz stands outside Bvogue Boutique, the location of her pop-up Grown Lady Garments (Photo by Laryssa Brooks)
Name: Alley Biniarz
Claim to Fame: Launched Grown Lady Garments, a sustainable clothing pop-up, to bring ethical fashion to Windsor.
The Backstory: Telling people wasn’t enough.
Alley Biniarz was reporting on environmental issues and fast fashion when she realized the topics were connected.
“We’re so detached from our clothing with things being so cheap. We have micro plastics in polyester and other unsustainable materials, and (fibers are) grown unsustainably in the fashion industry,” she said.
Windsor didn’t have many options for sustainable shopping, and Alley’s mom owned a fashion store with space for a pop-up. “I really wanted to empower people to see their pieces last longer,” she explained.
For Alley, that meant picking brands carefully. “Everybody’s paid fairly, there’s no child or adult labour taken advantage of, everybody gets a fair wage, and all the materials are sustainable,” she explained.
The Highlights: By April, Grown Lady Garments had launched with online shopping and personal deliveries—in the midst of the pandemic.
“It kind of inspired me to pivot in ways that I wouldn’t have thought of at the start. I wasn’t planning on doing deliveries, but people like to try things on in the comfort of their own home.”
Watching shoppers find the perfect outfit is her favourite part. “I love that look on someone’s face when they love a piece and it’s the best thing they’ve put on their body,” she smiled.
Alley Biniarz holds up one her favourite pieces sold by her pop-up Grown Lady Garments (Photo by Laryssa Brooks)
Her advice for the fall is to re-wear summer favourites and buy ethical pieces that will last. Layer tank tops with sweaters, find new combinations, and don’t be afraid to wear light colours even though Labour Day has passed.
“There are humans making our clothes and there are environmental impacts to that. Less is more; invest in a piece that will last you a really long time,” she said.
The Impact: This advice has hit its mark. Since April, Grown Lady Garments has gained 1,000 followers on Instagram and a physical pop-up in Bvogue Boutique on Lesperance Rd.
Word of mouth, community support, and consistent research have contributed to her success.
“I’ve received some really amazing feedback from the community. Sometimes they say, ‘Hey, my style is grander. What sustainable line sells that?’ and I’m always happy to find something to bring in.”
She hopes to grow her own materials and sell her own pieces in the future. One of those materials is flax, which is used for linen.
It has natural antibacterial properties, so it requires less washing. “You save on water and it’s virtually indestructible,” she laughed.
To see Alley’s products, visit Grown Lady Garments online or at Bvogue Boutique on Lesperance.
