As PETA would say, how do we “feed two birds with one scone,” when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint while also checking off all the names from the gift-giving list? The nonprofit, Women and Climate and sustainable fashion marketplace, The Canvas had a holiday party celebrating exactly that.
Fashion enthusiasts, climate activists, businesspeople and more gathered for Women & Climate’s first annual holiday party, sponsored by The Canvas, at NeueHouse Madison Square. Women & Climate was founded in February 2022 by Michelle Li. After leaving the tech world for the climate space, she noticed women were largely absent from climate change events. “I would walk into a networking event, nobody wanted to talk to me, right? I’m not a VC, I’m not a founder, I don’t know what green hydrogen, or the energy transition or circularity is. Why I wanted to create Women & Climate is so that we can inspire more people to join and have a safe space [to discuss climate change],” explained Michelle. Despite the org’s relatively short existence, Michelle and her team have already put on various climate-focused dinners throughout the world in Boston, Toronto, London, Paris, Berlin and most recently Egypt, providing a safe and joyful space for women to share their climate ideas and solutions.
The evening’s programming included two panels, with all women speakers involved in the climate change space. The first panel highlighted companies that are taking active steps to tackle one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This panel was moderated by The Business of Fashion Senior Correspondent Sheena Butler-Young, and featured spokeswomen from The Canvas, freuds and Goals House, Peace Boat US and Clever Carbon. Still looking for an outfit for a holiday party or in the mood to treat yourself for getting through another pandemic year? Check out The Canvas online or its shops at the World Trade Center and South Street Seaport. The Canvas carries a highly curated selection of clothes from all over the world. Better yet, a brand cannot partner with The Canvas unless they are working on at least two UN SDGs.
The second panel was focused on having a “low waste, high impact holiday,” with Larasati Vitoux of Maison Jar, a package-free “refillery” and grocery store in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and Tatiana Gomez of Ceres, a plastic-free, cruelty free and fair-trade circular market in Belleville, New Jersey. The two entrepreneurs offered their tips and tricks for an eco-friendly holiday. Their ideas included saving the gift wrapping and bags from old presents and upcycling old decorations, such as spray painting an old plastic Christmas tree silver for a fun twist.
Women & Climate doesn’t just give a space to discuss sustainability—they party sustainably too. After the panels, a fully vegan buffet was offered and complementary cocktails and mocktails were readily poured throughout the night. Attendees were given reusable magnetic nametags for easy networking. All dinnerware, cutlery and glasses were reusable, and guests were invited to bring a Tupperware to take home any leftovers of their choosing at the end of the night. If the idea of talking climate change, making new connections, and eating delicious food sounds appealing to you, visit Women & Climate’s website where you can sign up for their newsletter and slack channel—and if this recap hasn’t convinced you yet, the party photos in the gallery above surely will.