Oraki
/Show Day
Apr 15, 2023
/Social Media
Head designer and company founder Cynthia is a native of Rimouski in Quebec. During the more than 15 years she travelled the world working for leading fashion brands, she became aware of the major issues of fast fashion and the use of animal by-products. It all clicked in 2014, when she was presented with recycled fibre, a fabric that very few companies were using at the time. That day, with her daughter growing in her belly, she understood that she needed to use her love of fashion to effect change. She spent two years researching and factory testing to make this a reality. In 2016, she decided to take a leap of faith and launched the company ORAKI.
ORAKI is a Canadian eco-friendly clothing design and manufacturing company. We exclusively develop all of our fabrics. Our products are always changing, as we improve them using constantly advancing recycled material technology. Our mission is to create a wide range of products from recycled materials or natural fibres. We are always in search of the best technology. Our founding values are centred on durability, longevity and respect for people, the planet and the living beings who call it home.
Our collections are ethically made here in Canada in limited quantities to avoid inventory surpluses. We are always looking for innovative ways to manufacture clothing while leaving the smallest possible footprint and creating more circular supply chains. Our collections are made with just one goal: for women to feel beautiful, brave, strong and supported throughout their day. We offer sizes from XXS to 3X.
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What inspired you to become a fashion designer?
Cynthia Savard dreamed of becoming a fashion designer from childhood, often drawing clothes and reading fashion magazines. After 15 years in the industry, she became determined to create a more sustainable approach to fashion.
How would you describe your design style?
The designs combine comfort, performance, and everyday wear with a strong focus on sustainability. Recycled and plant based fibers are used to create durable clothing designed primarily for women and produced mostly in Canada.
What can people expect from your Vancouver Fashion Week collection?
ORAKI’s VFW presentation highlighted the brand’s sustainable approach through four bodysuits, each representing one of its key fabrics. The collection showcased how innovative recycled and plant based fibers can be incorporated into functional fashion.
What innovative materials were featured in your VFW collection?
The four bodysuits featured recycled polyester made from plastic bottles, recycled nylon derived from carpets, Sorona fiber made from corn, and Naia fiber made from wood cellulose. Each reflects the brand’s focus on alternative materials.
How does ORAKI approach material selection when developing its clothing?
The design process begins by considering what materials can be recycled. Recycled cotton, regenerated nylon, recycled polyester, and natural plant fibers are among the options developed and used across the brand’s clothing.