Soulful Couture Podcast

In this special Earth Month episode of Soulful Couture, host Isabelle Lafleche invites you to explore the intersection of sustainability, style, and soulful living. Discover how your wardrobe choices can become a powerful expression of care—for yourself, your values, and the planet. From conscious fashion tips to simple Earth-friendly rituals, this episode offers heartfelt inspiration to help you live and dress with intention. Whether you're new to sustainable fashion or already walking the path, this episode will uplift your spirit and remind you that true beauty is rooted in awareness. ✨ Topics include: The soulful side of sustainability Tips for curating a conscious wardrobe Fashion as a tool for spiritual and environmental change Join us as we celebrate Earth Month in style—inside and out.

An interview with Yana Dales, the co-founder and creative director of Tamga designs, a Canadian brand that has style and sustainability at heart. Yana discusses where she gets her creative ideas, the mission behind the brand and tips to live a more ecological and sustainable life.    

In this interview with Bernard Harvey, the CEO of CBM Lighting, he shares how he managed to reduce, limit, and fit his family's waste for an entire year into a single bin.   With the holidays fast approcahing, there are many important and practical tips shared in this interview that are essential for the care of our beautiful planet. 

An interview with Philippe Choinière, the dynamic and energetic co-founder of Oneka Elements, a Canadian company that offers high quality personal care products. In this interview, we talk about the future of the cosmetics and personal care industry, the importance of protecting the planet and Oneka's new hair treatment made with locally-grown organic apple cider. Oneka's website: https://www.onekaelements.com Recent article on the blog about Oneka's new product:  https://bit.ly/3tRZdpm   Thank you for listening!

Une entrevue avec Eve Noel, la general manager de Rachel, une entreprise de chez nous qui offre des collants éco-responsables de bonne qualité, des sous-vêtements et de jolies robes. Rachel supporte les femmes et de nombreuses initiatives sociales. Bref, c'est une entreprise qui fait du bien en offrant du beau.    

Je partage cette entrevue avec la dynamique et pétillante Sylvie Boulet, coloriste et experte capillaire en soins écologiques et éthiques. Lors de cette entrevue, Sylvie nous partage son parcours inspirant et sa passion pour une chevelure saine, consciente et écologique. Une femme engagée qui a à coeur la protection de l'humain et de la planète, elle adore partager ses conseils et le fruit de ses recherches sur son blogue beauté: https://www.sylvieboulet.com 

Écoutez notre entrevue avec la pétillante Julie Rochefort, fondatrice de Message Factory, une entreprise florissante de vêtements éco-responsables d'ici avec un rayonnement international. La devise de Message Factory: "Nous vêtir, nourrir notre âme et protéger notre planète est notre mission."  Avec des tissus tricotés chez nous et des encres à base d'eau,  Message Factory est une pionnière de la mode éthique et durable au Québec.   Site: https://messagefactory.ca  

Une entrevue avec Édéenne, une joaillière Canadienne basée à Paris. Elle partage son parcours inspirant et nous parle de ses pièces de grande beauté inspirées par la nature, la magie, les fées, et l'histoire. Seule Canadienne à faire de la Haute Joaillerie dans le monde, Édéenne a été reconnue comme l'une des quatre femmes qui ont marqué l'histoire.  Site web: https://www.edeenne.com

Je partage cette entrevue avec la pétillante Mélissa Bolduc de Melow, une marque éco-responsable locale qui porte une attention particulière à l'environnement. Mélissa Bolduc est une femme de coeur.  Native de Matane, elle a crée Melow, une griffe fabriquée au Canada, et qui, autant que possible, utilise les tissus d'ici.  C'est merveilleux! Le développement durable est au coeur de sa philosophie et de son entreprise. Ses collections sont souvent inspirées par la beauté de la nature et font rêver ses clientes depuis 2007.  

Je partage ma plus récente découverte:  Thalie Paris:  une marque de maroquinerie de luxe française fondée par la Québécoise Nathalie Dionne et portée par une vision lyrique de la mode et une mission essentielle: aider mère nature à refleurir. Les sacs sont fabriqués à partir de matières innovantes, brillantes, et apaisantes ( pour la planète et pour l'esprit.). Née d'une merveilleuse synchronicité - la découverte d'une oeuvre d'art du sculpteur français Janniot aux environs du Palais de Tokyo portant la mention "Thalie" lors du premier confinement de 2020,  Thalie étant aussi un surnom attachant, diminutif de Nathalie que son père lui donnait.. On adore!  Écoutez cette entrevue à propos d'une marque de luxe qui souhaite faire du bien.

Alors que le printemps est à nos portes, on a peut-être envie de nouvelles tenues festives et colorées. Mais saviez-vous que 60% des vêtements sont jetés dans l'année de leur achat?  Je vous invite à écouter cet épisode solo où je parle de mode et shopping conscient.

Une entrevue avec la pétillante Isabelle Cloutier: coach, entrepreneure nomade et créatrice de la marque éco-responsable MUJO. Isabelle nous partage son parcours, des conseils pour vivre une vie trépidante empreinte de liberté. Elle nous parle aussi de son lifestyle inspirant.

An interview with Gabriella Salvi, the talented founder of Wearshop.ca, an online brand of ethically created bags made of sourced surplus leathers from the finest mills in Italy.  During our conversation, you will feel Gabriella's passion for all things made with fine craftsmanship.      

Joanie Pietracupa is the Editor-In-Chief of Véro Magazine, Elle Québec and Elle Canada.  She has a terrific personality and is a leader in the body positive movement. During our interview,  she shares her views about the beauty & fashion industry, the impact fashion magazines have on women, and the importance of speaking out about eco-fashion.  She also shares tips for anyone looking to join the magazine and publishing industries. The interview is in French.  

In this solo episode I talk about the toxic effects of fast fashion, particularly the brand SHEIN, a brand that creates a tremendous amount of waste on this planet through its plastic individual packaging, the cheap quality of its fabrics and its lack of transparency. 80 billion garments are bought annually worldwide and the average clothing item is worn only 7 times before it is tossed. Arguably, some of theses SHEIN clothing items are worn less given their shoddy quality.  Do think twice before ordering from them, especially as we get closer to Black Friday.

Born and raised in Montreal, Antoinette Di Carlo was immersed into fashion at a very young age. She learned how to hand stitch at the tender age of eight, and from then on, the rest was history. Her undying passion to create one of a kind works of art only made it a natural inclination to become a designer. Throughout the years she worked in many parts of the field all while traveling the world in search of new trends and inspiration. With much hard work, determination and her passion for haute-couture dress making, Antoinette perfected the skills it took to set herself apart from everyone else. Making her lifelong dream come to life, she turned her vision of a design couture house into reality. Specializing in custom made bridal and evening wear, Antoinette captures the essence of elegance and femininity that women seek. Today, Antoinette runs her atelier from the heart of Little Italy, where all her designs come to life. When visiting the atelier, clients will enter the showroom where timelessly brilliant designer gowns are displayed. Having always peaked the interest of Montreal's finest, Antoinette's natural ability to evoke glamour and sophistication continues to capture the eyes of many. 

Andrew McNally is a multi-talented Montreal stylist and art director.  He also teaches at Lasalle College and is a fashion columnist.  Moreover, he's a champion of local design, and bolsters the local fashion landscape with his passion and love of the local industry. He supports many important social causes, such as Reluxe, an annual second hand clothing sale that benefits women in need. He also generously spends his spare time helping the younger generations, encouraging them to go for their dreams.

Sandra Parker is a Montreal-based entrepreneur and fashion lover. She's the founder of Justine Haines, a collection of period panties for women who are looking for a sassy and eco conscious alternative to traditional women's hygiene products that polute our planet.  She's passionate and knowledgeable and provides terrific tips for anyone looking to launch their own brand. Website: https://www.justinehaines.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjustinehaines/      

An Interview with Dominique La Roche, the managing director of Adrianna Espace Collectif, a collective whose mission is to contribute to the essential needs of the individual so that he can flourish and thrive.  Adrianna Espace Collectif is first and foremost a food bank in the Centre Sud district of Montreal and it also runs a second hand clothing consignment shop: https://en.aecmtl.org Listen in as we talk about eco-fashion, giving back and second hand shopping.   Je vous présente ma dernière entrevue sur mon podcast Soulful Couture: Dominique La Roche, directrice générale d'Adrianna Espace Collectif, un collectif qui a pour mission de contribuer aux besoins essentiels de l'individu afin qu'il s'épanouisse en toute paix d'esprit. C'est une banque allimentaire du quartier Centre Sud de Montréal et bien plus encore! Ils offrent une boutique de consignation de vêtements seconde main: https://en.aecmtl.org      

Karine Ganga Cloutier est une professeure de yoga et de danse qui a aussi comme mission de protéger notre belle planète. Elle nous parle de sa participation dans la Mission 1000 tonnes, une mission importante qui ramasse des déchets le long de nos cours d'eau. Elle parle aussi de sa marque de vêtements préférés, une marque écologique et éco-responsable.   Bonne écoute! 

Nous sommes dans une période de grands changements. Vous avez une importante mission de vie à réaliser.  Elle vous attend. Comment faire pour traverser la procrastination? Dance ce podcast, je partage 8 conseils.  Bonne écoute!

Une entrevue avec Cynthia Boucher, la fondatrice des vêtements Mandala, une entreprise florissante dont les vêtements sont fabriqués 100% localement.  Sa devise?  Vous êtes magnifique - You are beautiful!   Aussi, ils offrent des tailles XXS-3X! ❤️ On parle de l'industrie de la mode, d'image de Soi,  du mouvement de la positivité corporelle et de l'importance de l'achat local.

Adria Tennor is an American actress, writer, and director. She's best known for her work in the film The Artist, as well as the television series Greek, Mad Men, and Mad Dogs. In this episode, we talk about writing, creativity, vintage clothes and the importance of going for your dreams.

About the author:  Karina Kennedy is a romantic writer and a restless spirit. Growing up in Florida, she cheated her Choose Your Own Adventure books by keeping fingers stuck in the pages so she could change her mind. Who wants only one adventure? Karina is inspired by strong, creative women in all walks of life and uses this passion to fuel her travels all over the world. A favorite quote from the book:   "The wind whisks a cacophony of kitchen smells off his clothes and hair filling my nostrils: basil, fish, onions, wine, garlic, lots of garlic.  I close my eyes and feel the cool wind on my face. Somewhere along the way, I stop worrying about getting locked out of my room, about the fact that I'm vertically spooning a complete stranger, about everything. This is the real magic of Italy. Italians have mastered the physics of slowing time down. The minute you stop thinking about what you just did, or what you're about to do, the moment you're actually in comes into sharp delicious focus."   About the book: Marina Taylor is a bold, adventure-seeking writer with a one-way ticket to Rome and big dreams to write her book, Italian Women of Influence . . . but an undeniable connection with an irresistible stranger—and her penchant for disaster—just may derail her plans. Inspired by actress and sex icon Regina Lombardi, Marina tries to master the sexual gaze as she researches her book and stumbles her way through Italian scholars, Turkish footballers, and Sicilian twins. From the nightclubs of Rome to a Venetian masquerade ball, Marina's escapades leave her yearning for a particular French-Italian photographer. Will she catch her illusive stranger, or prove more calamity than coquette? And what about the ruggedly down-to-earth ex who's waiting for her back home? Equal parts laugh-out-loud travel comedy and sexy adventure, Marina's first trip abroad will inspire you to throw your own itinerary out the window and throw caution to the wind. Art, love, sex, wine—the Italian playboy and the boy next door—who says you can't have it all? Author's Website Author's Wanderlust blog

Katrin Leblond lives and works in Montreal, a city known for its sense of style.  She is renowned for her artfully embellished dresses and jackets, as well as for her brilliant twists on standard cuts.  Katrin began her 20-year career as a textile designer.  Beginning in 2004 she brought those craft-based skills and sensibilities to her own clothing collections. Katrin is also committed to nature and to bringing an ethical practice to her business.  Do listen in to hear about her experience, her wisdom and kind voice

An interview with inspirational entrepreneur Helena Asselien about her clean beauty brand Willow & Finigan. All of her products are made with natural ingredients and much love. Helena is lively, kind and just like her delicious smelling products, natural and inviting.  Do listen in on our conversation. 

Jennifer Brodeur is an inspiring female entrepreneur, a champion of sustainable beauty and holistic living. She's also down to earth and loves to share beauty tips. Her business is built upon four main principles: the sustainable consumption of beauty products, a holistic, healthy way of living, a celebratory approach to aging and an uncompromising commitment to quality ingredients.  Do listen in as we chat about sustainable beauty and her lockdown favorites.

An interview with the energetic Tess, the leading founder of Love Stories Bali, a social enterprise educating disadvantaged children through the creation of sustainable garments and local design. Love Stories Bali is all about style, as well as supporting local causes while nourishing the earth and children. In our interview, we discuss the process of local plant dying, upcycling and Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese spiritual tradition.

An interview with L.A. based and Peru native, Lottie Bertello, who is about to launch something pretty amazing: a sustainable brand by the name of Loti, which offers gorgeous designs made entirely of recycled men's shirts.  I came across her designs on a sustainable Facebook group and was immediately smitten with her stunning collection.  Lottie previously held positions at Paige, & Other Stories, Vince and internships at Ralph Lauren and Banana Republic. She knows and understands the fashion business well and was well positioned to get a glimpse of its darker side and the waste it creates. She is passionate about thrifting and protecting the planet. Do listen in to find out where she finds her beautiful fabrics. The answer will likely surprise you.

An interview with Marilyn Armand: the happy, talented, super inspiring eco-activist behind Le Point Visible, a creative brand making locally sourced and ecologically responsible gorgeous quilts and home accessories.  The designer makes stunning colourful quilts that are imbued with personality and terrifc storytelling. She's also passionate about thrifting and protecting the planet, one powerful and kind gesture at a time. 

An interview with the ultra-inspiring Bangalore based fashion and sustainability enthusiast, Vandana Bhandare, whose jaw dropping sustainable fashion line, Vanaras, made my heart stop.   Do listen in while she talks about her craft, what truly inspires her, and her journey in creating Vanaras. Her love for warps and wefts was sown decades ago, when as a little girl, she would waltz into her father’s silk manufacturing units, awe-struck by rainbow-hued skeins and timeless brocade. Vandana is also a certified yoga instructor, something that infuses her collection with light.  

Join me for an interview with passionate and dynamic UK fashion entrepreneur Melanie Trevett, about her current projects involving fashion sustainability and a great talk about the status of the fashion industry.

*Interview in French* Une entrevue avec Chantal Durivage, la présidente du conseil du Chaînon à propos de la vente annuelle Reluxe qui a lieu jusqu'à la fun du mois de sptembre au bénéfice de la Maison du Chaînon, un centre pour les femmes en difficulté. On peut y faire des trouvailles exceptionnelles et le seconde main c'est bon pour la planète!

Molly Lambourn is a talented artist and slow jewelry designer from the UK. I had the pleasure of interviewing her about her craft, her passions and sustainability in fashion. Her brand, Sophie Stokes, offers beautiful bespoke quirky designs. Inspired by retro patterns, iconic women and bold colour, she creates her line using recycled acrylic. Her art is also very inspirational and is a celebration of the mundane, domestic and decorative while also tackling wider issues surrounding mental health, trauma and feminism.  

Marsha Elle is a singer/songwriter, bionic model ( amputee), and amazing motivational speaker wishing to deliver messages of hope through music.  Marsha Elle was born with proximal femoral focal deficiency (PFFD), a rare birth defect in which the femur bone in the upper thigh area is either malformed or missing, causing one leg to be shorter than the other. As a result, the lower half of her leg was amputated. Yet, in spite of being an above-the-knee amputee all her life, the Miami-based motivational speaker refuses to let that stop her from pursuing her dreams of becoming a musician and model. And most importantly, she hasn’t let it rob her of her joy, as evidenced by the uplifting photos she shares on Instagram, flaunting her curvaceous figure and prosthetic leg.

Cette jeune entrepreneure de 21 ans dessine des vêtements de sport (maillots de bain, sandales) fabriqués à partir de fibres de plastique recyclé, provenant de bouteilles d'eau et des filets de pêche qui menacent notre vie aquatique Son atelier/entrepôt est basé près de Victoriaville, dans le Centre-du-Québec et ses fournisseurs proviennent du Québec, de la Chine et de l'Italie.  L'idée lui est venue à la suite de deux voyages humanitaires dans les Caraïbes et en Amérique centrale alors qu'elle n'avait que 15-16 ans.  Une femme inspirante! Son site web: https://newkears.com

Amanda Weil is a personal stylist, confidence catalyst and a conscious image consultant. From closet organization to daily looks to coordinating a brand new wardrobe and image, to matching colors and chakras, she helps people connect with their true essence. Her website: http://accentuatedstyle.com  

Jennifer L. Scott is the New York Times bestselling author of Lessons from Madame Chic, At Home with Madame Chic and Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic (Simon & Schuster), Mademoiselle Chic (Daiwa Shobo), and Connoisseur Kids (Chronicle Books). She is also the creator of the blog and YouTube channel, The Daily Connoisseur, where she explores the fine art of living.  Jennifer has been featured on CNN, BBC, and CBS News, and in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, USA Today, Newsweek, and The Daily Mail. She and her husband, Ben, have four children and they divide their time between Southern California and the English countryside. She also gave an inspiring TED talk about the benefits of keeping a capsule wardrobe. 

As co-founder of the Bank and Vogue family of companies, Steven has been a thought leader and pioneer in the post-consumer textile space for over 20 years. He has dedicated his work life to innovative and relevant solutions to the crisis of stuff. Bank and Vogue actively works with over 250 charities and private collectors across North America to maximize the value of post-consumer waste and find creative uses for this “waste” stream. Steven and his team have traveled to over 30 countries working extensively amongst the robust second-hand markets of the world. The retail arm Beyond Retro has been the leader in Vintage clothing in Europe for over 15 years. With 8 stores and a thriving eCommerce branch, the Beyond Retro Label is a line of unique, re-worked items handcrafted from carefully selected vintage fabrics available at Beyond Retro stores or at High Street retailers such as Urban Outfitters. Steven is also the brainchild behind the largest remanufacturing plant in the world, where the circular economy for textiles is brought to life.

Co-founder and president of MyVirtualYoga.com Annie Langlois is a certified yoga instructor (Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini) and breathwork teacher. She's  an entrepreneur, best-selling author, mentor, and the creator behind the Living Yoga Mala line of jewellery. She divides her time between Bali and Quebec, where she teaches several retreats and workshops. Annie's mission in life is to inspire people to put their health first, while teaching them to love themselves through gentle techniques they can integrate into their daily life.

Charlotte Hosten is a jewelry and accessories designer who offers her clients fantasy and feminity. Her famous fabric necklaces have reversed the usual cycle of dressing up. Women tend to wear a Charlotte Hosten jewel as the base for the outfit : creating an original look around the necklace. Born and raised in Belgium but now living in Montreal, the self-made designer started to create jewelry at the age of 15 and never stopped. Her necklaces have become luxurious sculptures; sometimes made of one of a kind antique jewelry pieces or, for the custom made pieces, with the treasures her clients bring to her. 

Elizabeth L. Cline is a journalist, public speaker, and the author of Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, and the much-anticipated follow-up book, The Conscious Closet: A Revolutionary Guide to Looking Good While Doing Good. Her writing has appeared in The Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, The Nation, and The New Yorker, among others. She is an expert on fashion industry waste, runs a clothing resale business, and is the director of research and reuse at Wearable Collections, one of New York City’s largest used-clothing collectors. She lives in Brooklyn with her partner.

Léonie is a highly passionate, engaging and creative woman.  Her fashion designer career began at the age of 12, while she was creating made-to-measure garments for herself and her customers. Today, she holds a college diploma in Fashion Design, a bachelor in Fashion Merchandising and a Master of Arts in Fashion, where she specialized in sustainable fashion.  Her values, passion and creativity are behind each product and every piece of content.  She invites us on her quest to change the fashion industry, one person and one garment at a time.   Her label: https://en.gaiaetdubos.com Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/gaiadubos/?hl=en  

Marie-Geneviève Cyr is an assistant professor in the BFA Fashion Design program at Parsons School of Design in New York. She has an MA in Visual Culture/Fashion Theory from New York University, a BA in Design and Applied Arts from the Edinburgh College of Art and a degree in Fashion Design from the College Marie-Victorin.  Her work has been exhibited internationally. She was also a participant in the hit show Project Runway Canada and worked for celebrated designers including Zac Posen and Denis Gagnon.   She has also worked on an installation series about hyper-consumption using discarded billboards.   This is her website: https://www.mariegenevievecyr.com  

Kelly Drennan is a systems thinker, social entrepreneur, thought leader, disruptor and collaborator who is devoted to making change within the fashion industry. She is the executive director of Fashion Takes Action, a non profit organization, and producer of the #WEAR conference in Toronto. Join us for this fascinating chat where discuss sustainability and the future of our planet.

Sol Deharnais is the creator of gorgeous accessories, Sol Designs. His creations are made with recycled materials and his business thrives on giving back to the community, by working with people who have mental health challenges. He is also very soulful, and into yoga and meditation.

Chloe Barcelou is supremely creative, and lives in one of the most beautiful tiny houses I have ever seen! She shares her tips on how to live a creative life, to transition into a tiny home and the best pieces to incorporate into a capsule wardrobe.

    Sophie Lymburner is a soulful entrepreneur. In addition to being a marketing guru, she's a good friend and the founder of YogaTribes, the Montreal based international yoga platform bringing together yoga teachers and their respective yogi tribes.   The site was founded by Sophie and her team after she discovered the power of yoga when offereing free yoga classes to her staff in her former offices. The rest, as they say, is history. YogaTribes is a terrific hub, comparable to Uber and Airband B in other spheres, where one can locate, and reserve and pay for a yoga class.  The site has been praised by world-renowned luminairies such as Elena Brower, a New York based yoga teacher with an impressive pedigree who was in Montreal this past February for the Expo Yoga.  In addition to being the perfect gathering place for yogis and teachers,  YogaTribes hosts a number of amazing events throughout the year, including the eponymous (and well worth it!) YogaTribes Sound Off, where headsets provide an intimate connection with teachers and ambient music, a remarkable multi-sensory experience like no other.   On June 21st, on International Yoga Day, YogaTribes will unveil its programming for Tout le monde yoga, a summertime yoga program that will offer Montrealers free yoga all summer long, as well as officially launch its collaborative and commercial platform for yoga. Through a partnership with studios and instructors in the Greater Montreal Area, YogaTribes has developed a diverse original programming with over 75 free classes offered between June 21st and September 20th.   Tout Le Monde Yoga, is a jam-packed calender of yoga events for the summer months, which to my absolute delight, includes outdoor yoga, yoga at Place des Arts, spinning yoga, as well as a wonder full outdoor yoga experiences during the Oneka Open House in the Eastern Townships. ( I'm thrilled to mention that I will be part of the programming for this amazing weekend, more details to come soon!)     What I admire most about Sophie is her steadfast dedication to her innovative platform, her immense creativity, her passion, and her can-do attitude.  I've never heard her complain or recoil in front of any business challenge. Sophie is a role model for all entrepreneurs, young and old, who have that fire in their belly and who want to make a difference in the world. If you're a fan of yoga, I encourage you to join the YogaTribes community today.  You can do so here. Also, listen in on the podcast to find out more about the awesome events coming up this summer in Montreal and the Townships. Thank you Sophie for sharing your passions, lighting that flame, and sharing your gifts with the world. You're an inspiration for us all.