Meet Rebecca Markus
“I love the idea of consciously making things. I won’t just buy a t shirt at the store, I get to think about what work goes into it and how to make it perfect for me. I have become obsessed with the process of working with fabric and being mindful of what I actually need.”
We all know the thrill of having our favourite store go on sale. 50% off is often an offer we can’t refuse.
Rebecca saw past the flashing neon signs and drew a moral line once she realized that her love for fashion and design were not in line with the inner workings of the fashion industry.
Initially, Rebecca had the intention of becoming a surface pattern designer- creating repeating patterns on fabric sold to home-sewists or fashion and upholstery companies.
After seeing the industry up close, Rebecca realized that the work was mostly digital, and she wasn’t doing what she loved most: working with fabrics by hand. She also saw the products being produced, and thought: “Do I really want to put all this stuff into the world? Do people really need all these pillows?” All of a sudden it seemed this wasn’t the life she wanted.
She considered working for fashion companies, producing designs for their lines, but then learned about the immoral practice in this line of work.
“Many factory workers that work in fast fashion have no rights, with terrible work conditions and pay. Designers are paid to basically steal from smaller designers. I didn’t want to be involved in companies like that.”
This was very demotivating to Rebecca, and, as a new graduate, she had to reconsider what it was she wanted out of her passion for design and her unique skillset. Up until this point she was always the one who had her path set out for her.
Rebecca has since spent time improving her craft, knitting and sewing constantly, and lives her days with a clean conscience and needle and thread in hand.
“I love the idea of consciously making things. I won’t just buy a t shirt at the store, I get to think about what work goes into it and how to make it perfect for me. I have become obsessed with the process of working with fabric and being mindful of what I actually need.”
Rebecca shares her knowledge of low cost, low quality stores that run on a 52-week cycle. Every week there are new products, but the quality reflects the work which tells of the work conditions. “These stores want your clothes to fall part so you come buy new ones.”
That being said, there are movements growing against sweatshops and child labour. There are big brands creating textiles locally, and growing fair trade movements. We have the choice to buy with a clean conscience. As Rebecca puts it, “shopping is like voting with your wallet.”
Rebecca believes that people like the individuality that comes with one’s fashion sense. “I like taking a flat thing, like fabric, and turning it into something that shows who I am. It’s the process of shaping something to a mold- my mold. I think, that is very freeing. The right clothes bring you a lot of confidence.”
Rebecca Markus grew up in Toronto and studied textile design at the Ontario College of Art and Design. She is an active blogger and sewer.
Follow Rebecca as she weaves her way through life!
Blog: www.ofcottonandwool.com
Instagram: @beckymarkus
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Jumans of Toronto is a window into the lives and passion of Jewish young adults making their mark in the world. A 50-part series, Jumans is inspired by Humans of New York. If you’d like to recommend someone awesome to be highlighted, please send an email to adina@thehousetoronto.com.
Written by: Adina Samuels