Canadian fashion is giving back thanks to a new initiative spearheaded by Toronto media personality and philanthropist Joan Kelley Walker and her sister-in-law Canadian accessory designer Ivana Walker. The Give Back Collective provides ways for designers to contribute to charitable organizations while creating a new platform to showcase their work to consumers.
The event held, at a pop up on St. Clair Street West at the studio space of Give Back Collective co-founder Ivana Walker. The event highlighted the work of fashion designers and artists who have partnered on the initiative including George Sully of Sully & Son Co., Steven Sabados of Steven Sabados Studio, Lesley Hampton, House of Dwir of House of Dwir, Ivana Walker of Anavi Designs and Reem and Basheer Khan of Terrae Homes.
Walker noted that the event was happening on a full moon, a that the forces around us are what drive people to do good things. 
“Full moons, they affect me in a really profound way. They make me happy and feel something and you can’t market the passage of time without noting that. It’s a time to reflect on yourself and plant the seeds of intention and that’s how the give back collective was born,” she says.
Each artist represents a different fashion niche, with a common goal of creating pieces that not only represent the innovation and fresh designs that continue to dominate Canadian fashion, but also the common goal of representation and inclusion within the fashion world.
Charities who have partnered with the Give Back Collective are World Vision, Canadian National Institute of the Blind, The Breakfast Club of Canada and The Ben Le Fevre Mental Health Impact Fund.
“We have tried to look at it internationally, nationally and locally and we try to do as much as we can because as you know there is no small gesture every gesture makes a difference and has a ripple effect and gets things going,” she says.
Walker. hopes the Give Back Collective will challenge people to do what they can to support each other and the community while making it a priority for the fashion and beauty industry.
Learn more about the Give Back Collective on their website.