Cultivating Your Sustainable Style: Discover Le Prix, The Ultimate Fashion Destination!
This story is created and shared in collaboration with the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, a valuable resource for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses in the Waterloo Region. Their expertise and support have been instrumental in providing insights and information for this post, highlighting the Centre’s commitment to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit in the community.
Robyn Hobbs always dreamed of changing the world for good through business. While completing her Master’s in Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, she started Le Prix, a clothing company based in Kitchener-Waterloo that focuses on sustainable women’s fashion and lifestyle. The company offers an eclectic collection of preloved clothing, shoes, and accessories from across the globe as well as expanding its product line to carry sustainable laundry and home cleaning products. Initially, the business relied on appointments and Facebook to operate, with a strong emphasis on referrals. However, since 2012, Le Prix has been committed to promoting sustainability, self-love, and empowerment through an enjoyable and inclusive shopping experience. In addition to creating a sustainable shopping environment for everyone, Le Prix prides itself on providing a safe space for all, regardless of their background, gender identity, age, or size.
Le Prix’s mission to support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Le Prix is known for its positive social and environmental impacts, partnering with local charities and community organizations and striving to source from ethical and sustainable supply chains. They calculated their carbon footprint and launched a “Carbon Footprint Fridays” social media campaign in early 2022 to raise awareness about their collective ongoing impact since it gets updated, and the impact grows weekly. In January 2023, Le Prix also signed the Net Zero Challenge Commitment Letter, demonstrating their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. As a participant in the Net-Zero Challenge, Le Prix is dedicated to reducing their emissions and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Robyn is passionate about the SDGs, and how they align her business practices. For instance, Le Prix has made a strong commitment towards achieving the SDGs. In line with this mission, the company ensures adequate wages for its workers (SDG 1) and sources fair trade organic products (SDG 2). Additionally, the company takes steps to reduce waste and water pollution (SDG 3), trains and supports women entrepreneurs (SDG 4 and 5), uses safe and biodegradable laundry products (SDG 6), encourages local innovation and collaboration (SDG 9), and provides a safe space and support for the queer community (SDG 10). In their efforts to promote sustainable lifestyles, the company prioritizes retrofitting lighting and location selection (SDG 11) and also runs a carbon offset program (SDG 13). Furthermore, Le Prix values its staff (SDG 8), supports organic agriculture and forests (SDG 15), amplifies suppressed groups (SDG 16), and welcomes collaborations and partnerships (SDG 17).
Paving the way for a more sustainable future in fashion
Robyn is also passionate about educating others about the connection between the impact of fast fashion on the environment. She is vocal about her commitment to zero waste and ethical production, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and initiative in achieving their sustainability goals. By consistently “chipping away” at her objectives, Le Prix is able to make a positive impact on the world through sustainable and ethical business practices. The business also tracks and reports on its progress towards net-zero emissions by 2050, and is a member of the Better Way Alliance in Toronto. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the business expanded its product line to include beauty and home products, as well as self-love organic and fair trade t-shirts (tees), while maintaining its commitment to sustainability.
Robyn Hobbs, Founder of Le Prix, showcasing the collective impact of Le Prix’s carbon offsets since March 2021. Photo from Robyn Hobbs.
Le Prix offers various shopping options, including in-store walk-ins, online, and appointment-based (with a small fee). If interested, please check out Le Prix’s website for more information https://www.leprixclothing.com/