Ooobaby - FUNCTIONAL BEAUTY MEETS SLOW FASHION
By: Madison Vessie
As a new generation of fashion entrepreneurs offer exciting insight as to what a planet-friendly fashion industry might look like, we speak to Toronto based designer Tulin Sallaback about how she is offering consumers the opportunity to make a more positive impact on the planet.
As a mother and business woman, Sallaback struggled to find the ideal versatile bag to carry her everyday essentials, "I needed a multipurpose bag that could go from the office to the playground.” This ultimately led to the design of her first handbag - the Urban Bag. Now, the Urban and Bella collections are comprised of eleven styles that fuse minimalism with luxury craftsmanship and practicality. “‘Minimalism is the antithesis of the modern consumerist narrative.’ This quote resonated with me,” says Sallaback. “It is about avoiding the unnecessary. It’s about simplicity and elegance. As a slow fashion label, our minimalistic designs encourage the wearer to keep a high quality, classic style that lasts for many years.”
The luxury handbags are designed to be multi-functional and feature dedicated pockets for cell phones, tech tools, file folders, and eyewear. The contemporary and neutral tones transcend seasons and trends, making it a wardrobe staple fit for any occasion, "from the office to a weekend away, we have various sizes to meet your everyday needs!”
Not only are Ooobaby’s designs notable for their design and function, but for the brand's focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Understanding the importance of being mindful from concept to production is a key component of Ooobaby. Having always been fast fashion conscious, sustainability was important to Sallaback every step of the way. Her devotion to slow fashion challenged her to find the perfect manufacturer to develop her prototypes - a journey that took her six years. She worked with manufacturers in Canada, the UK and Brazil, ultimately finding the perfect partner in Italy. “Circular fashion has always been so important to me,” says Sallaback. “Ooobaby’s luxe handbags are designed to encourage a circular fashion economy. We believe affordable luxury accessories can be both beautiful and sustainably made.” Quality over quantity is a motto the brand stands by - choosing to invest in pieces that will honour longevity is making a conscious decision to be more sustainable. With the fast-paced nature of the internet, more and more companies are catering to fads and micro-trends, neglecting the cost of fast fashion on the environment. For designers looking to incorporate more sustainable approaches, Sallaback believes in designing for longevity - sourcing quality products with low-impact materials. We need to see a shift in how we prioritize our environment and become open toward learning new approaches and alternatives in the industry by “working with more respect for nature and building more awareness as to where and how fast fashion comes to the market.” A true wardrobe staple will transcend seasons and trends and prove reliable to the essential nature of its purpose. The fashionable and functional designs of Ooobaby make for the ideal staple.
In anticipation of SS23, Ooobaby has introduced the Urban Tote handcrafted with new Appleskin Leather, along with a larger Bella Handbag in Max - the perfect elevated business bag. They have also newly launched the croc-print Bella Clutch in black and a limited edition style in pink, with 10% of profits donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Society.
Ooobaby’s luxury designs were recently featured at Startup Fashion Week’s 9th annual event in Toronto on October 14th 2022. Although the pandemic put a stop to events, showcasing a mini collection of Ooobaby handbags reminded Toronto consumers how important it is to shop for functional pieces that can accommodate our busy on-the-go lifestyles.
Photo Credit from Startup Fashion Week: @tyroneislington
For more information or to shop Ooobaby handbags, click here .