Jamie Haiden Episode
In the latest episode of the Empowerography Podcast, my guest is Jamie Haiden. Jamie Haiden is the founder/owner of Archipelago Swim. Archipelago was started in 2010 when I began making swimsuits for my friends who couldn’t find the right fit in swimwear off the racks and just wanted something unique. I'd already been sewing for several years, but it was just one of a dozen art forms I was pursuing. I became uniquely attracted to the swimwear industry for the simple fact that I love the beach! I registered the business in 2011 and began taking proper drafting and sewing lessons at George Brown College.. In this episode we discuss learning curves, environmental sustainability, art & fashion, green washing, consciously aware consumers, ethical production and the garment industry.
Archipelago was started in 2010 when I began making swimsuits for my friends who couldn’t find the right fit in swimwear off the racks and just wanted something unique. I'd already been sewing for several years, but it was just one of a dozen art forms I was pursuing. I became uniquely attracted to the swimwear industry for the simple fact that I love the beach! I registered the business in 2011 and began taking proper drafting and sewing lessons at George Brown College.
It was a slow learning process as I lacked mentorship and a formal education in either business or fashion, but nothing could stop me! I just kept designing and just kept sewing. I just kept reaching out to fellow artists and like-minded entrepreneurs, but most of all, I just kept educating myself. I’m now a member of the Ryerson Fashion Zone and I can’t recommend their mentorship program enough! They are amazing and generous with their support and their vast topic offerings.
Though my brand is very small, I receive orders from all over the world, and my highest compliment, when customers place second and third orders. My business keeps growing because I keep chasing that rush of making other women feel great in their custom made swimsuit!
As an artist, I have always dreamt of a job where my imagination could run wild. Yet, the more I have learned about the fashion industry, the more passionate I have become about affecting positive change.
Since the very beginning, I have dedicated my brand to ethical production, and as I pursue finding the right manufacturing partner, this is my number one priority. Additionally, the brand is committed to environmental sustainability as this is intrinsically linked to human rights, especially the rights of those living in the countries which produce the vast majority of the world’s fashion. At the moment, Archipelago is working with Vita by Carvico, an Italian fabric made from recycled pre-consumer waste. I don't intend to stop there though! I am developing my next collection with Repreve which uses even more recycled content; I am interested in working with cutting edge technologies which are making high quality, biodegradable swimwear fabrics possible; I am collaborating with ethical Canadian jewelry and leather bags. Owning a business means being linked in to other people who are motivated to push technologies further and challenge the status quo.
I became a business owner because I know what kind of an impact a brand can have on the world if people are given high quality options that don't compromise values. These are what I consider to be Canadian values and the values that I hold dear to myself.
Creating ethically produced, environmentally sustainable, and outstandingly luxurious swimwear. There are many brands that create luxury and many brands offering swim basics in recycled fabrics, but Archipelago's aim is to create treasured items in a woman's wardrobe that she will wear for a very long time. Slow fashion is at the heart of sustainable fashion and so Archipelago aims to put artistry back at the centre of the fashion industry.
Archipelago's aesthetics are founded on principles of fine craftsmanship. One of the core concepts the brand is known for is intricate hand embroidery. Each piece is truly one-of-a-kind. Frequently, custom pieces are co-designed with my customers as they order them. My goal is to create a brand that is known for its ethics, but for those who are more engaged with the art of custom design, ordering an Archipelago swimsuit is a special experience.
Women who shop the brand are not interested in average swimwear. Archipelago delivers by providing designs that can't be found anywhere else because they can't be easily mass-produced; the styles easily go from day to night and make women feel good about their bodies by accentuating their best features. The mission of Archipelago is to create pieces that are memorable, timeless and altogether trend resistant.
Website - https://www.archipelagoswim.com/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/archipelagoswim
FB - https://www.facebook.com/archipelagoswim/