Hello lovely...

Our path forward

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I cannot believe we have enjoyed half of summer already!  Pearl & Birch welcomes you to another season of celebrating life & love. In the midst of all we are experiencing, learning, unlearning and sharing about ourselves and others there comes a time when bringing all of that into focus requires energy and commitment. Which is why we have been quietly diving into what that means to Pearl & Birch. It has always been our mission to serve our community through actions that encompass our values of inclusion, representation, diversity, sustainability and love. If we are being honest about the impact we desire to create on our city, within our industry and in communion with our fellow business owners it requires honest and rigorous conversation. And continued action. Whether we are elevating our industry to seek a higher standard of representation in our marketing, embarking on intentional and meaningful actions with our clients in store or publicly making space for new voices and continued learning on our platforms Pearl & Birch is willing to make the mistakes, self educate and invest in a future the demands the protection of human rights and our planet.

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Climate activism cannot exist without anti-racist action.  Understanding the systems we participate in and how they disproportionately affect marginalized communities and continue to uphold oppression is part of striving towards a sustainable future. This is our path forward as a business and we want your to join us.

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Remember to be kind, remember to be brave and remember to seek joy.  We will always be in this together.

 

All my love,

A. 

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I used to be somewhat of a socialite. I spent many afternoons shopping for new clothing and many late nights wearing fast fashion. I collected a closet full of overpriced, name brand status symbols and once wear fashion finds only to find myself years later in a life crisis that made breaking up with my closet one of the easiest relationships I ever ended.  And like with most catastrophes, I came out the other side knowing more about myself and what was really important in my life. The unusual bi-product of walking through fire is not only do you learn how quickly you can heal but you also learn what kind of risks you are willing to take, and which ones to always avoid.

 

So how did this career waitress and restaurant manager become the owner of Winnipeg's only full service bridal consignment shoppe? In Spring of 2016 my husband took a 10 foot fall off a roof and shattered his vertebrae, leaving him bed-ridden and unable to work.  Overnight I became the sole caregiver and financial provider for my family of four.  And I was terrified.  We had no savings and no backup plan.   What I did have was a community of friends and family who offered me an enormous amount of support in the form of childcare and casseroles and a closet full of clothing and a smartphone.

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I got to work clearing my attic and created a boutique of party dresses, gala gowns and Guess jeans.  I starting posting detailed styled shots of my closet on Kijiji and hosting strangers in my home to shop.  I sent friends up to my third floor and told them to fill a bag for a mere $20. And I picked up my wedding dress from my mom's house and embarked on a journey to resell my gown to feed my family.  Well selling my Coach purses and Chanel sunglasses was easy enough on a buy and sell, a wedding dress was a whole different story.  It only took me two weeks and one fraudulent attempt to realize this was going to require a different approach.

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Winnipeg did not offer my ideal solution so I decided to create exactly what I was looking for. 

And now I am sharing it with you!

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I love clothing, but I also love to write and create.  I am a visual person who enjoys the concept of self expression through clothing.  Orsola De Castro, co-founder of Fashion Revolution describe clothing as "or chosen skin...we communicate who we are, to an extent, through our clothing."  Pearl & Birch Wedding Consignments is a bridal boutique that aims to connect former brides and their wedding items to future brides . Our vision is to foster a community of conscious consumers and educate brides (and other dress seekers!) on the benefits of buying local and previously loved.  And we do this through the idea that style comes before fashion and secondhand can be a first choice. We are the only full service wedding consignment store serving the Prairies.  Pearl & Birch offers alterations, customization and dry cleaning to any client in need of modestly priced, professionally executed tailoring and cleaning.

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Alongside operating an ethical business, we have designed a space that is comfortable, elegant and inspiring.  We are proud to share that 80% of our interiors, equipment and fixtures come previously loved and were repurposed or upcycled.  Whenever possible, it is the principle of Pearl & Birch Wedding Consignments to remain committed to providing greener business practices and supporting the community and collaborating with local businesses.

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As a mother and advocate, I have always been proud to promote environmental awareness, women owned businesses and locally made products.  I welcome you to join us in our efforts to continue the conversations about the planet we live on and the effects consumerism has on our global and local community.  I can't wait to meet you!