THE FUTURE FASHION INITIATIVE

by patricia seward

oBJECTIVE

I created the Future Fashion Initiative to empower women by helping them build confidence through personal presentation, while preparing them for a more secure, independent, and sustainable future. Through one-on-one styling, sustainable fashion education, and appearance-related support (for example, hair alternatives for women with cancer) I aim to remove barriers to opportunity while promoting dignity, inclusion, and environmental responsibility.

I also deliver accessible education through webinars that foster confidence, skillbuilding, and sustainability awareness. These sessions, ranging from Earth Day and gender equity workshops to career styling and confidence coaching, have reached hundreds across Canada and internationally. My work is rooted in the belief that when people feel confident in how they show up, they are better equipped to shape their own futures - and that fashion can be a powerful tool for both personal growth and environmental regeneration through sustainable fashion, which for me is a moral imperative.

ORIGIN

My passion fuels my duty. While studying fashion at the top-ranking Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, my interest in fashion collided with my studies in sustainability at Simon Fraser University and at Copenhagen Business School. Learning that the fashion industry generates more greenhouse gas emissions than some international airlines (UN Environment Programme, 2018) prompted me to co-found the supplier sustainability team at TELUS where I have hosted five webinars, serve as a National Sustainability Council member for five years and counting, founded the first corporate 100% Sustainable Promotional Items Program internationally and launched the TELUS Sustainable Employee Merch Site.

 Simultaneously, I launched my fashion blog in 2020 and founded the Future Fashion Initiative in 2022. These platforms became powerful tools to share the same boost in self-confidence that fashion gave me during hard times. One woman at a time, I have witnessed the transformation that occurs when someone sees themselves with dignity and hope. Whether it’s choosing an outfit for a job interview or supporting a woman undergoing cancer treatment, I am deeply inspired by the strength that emerges when fashion and empowerment intersect.

IMPORTANCE

The importance of this work lies in its alignment with global priorities, particularly the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The Future Fashion Initiative addresses SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by equipping underserved individuals with the tools to succeed personally and professionally while promoting environmental responsibility.

 Additionally, approximately 300,000 newcomers arrive in Canada each year, many of whom are women in need of basic clothing and necessities. Although Canada is perceived as a country of prosperity and opportunity, there are many in our neighborhoods who are in need of basic clothing and necessities (Statista, 2022). This support can start with a decent pair of shoes, a suit to wear to an interview, a bag to hold essentials and a tube of lipstick to increase their confidence.

I have seen firsthand the positive effects of offering support to newcomers. One example that really stands out for me is when I helped a young woman and her elderly mother who fled the Ukraine as refugees with nothing but the clothes on their back. I worked with them to provide them with clothing appropriate for Vancouver’s rainy and cold weather as well as with necessities such as socks. I helped them by selecting clothing and other items that made them feel comfortable, dignified, and confident in themselves. Seeing their faces of joy has made me realize how fashion and the Future Fashion Initiative can change a person’s world for the better by helping them adjust to new homes and new circumstances. When you feel your best, you do your best! This is why I am excited to help women in vulnerable situations, such as refugees, because they need this confidence boost and clothing donations the most. Having reliable closet staples that last helps them see that their outside reflects the potential that is already within them.

In addition, my initiative provides education on how to make sustainable fashion choices to reduce the negative impacts of the fashion industry on the planet. For example, choosing second-hand clothing creates less demand for new items, extends the life cycle of the clothing, and saves our plant’s natural resources. I look forward to helping individuals learn how to dress professionally, within this sustainable framework, and to help them achieve success through personal growth, employment and financial independence - all while having a net positive impact on the environment. 

CURRENT PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Through the Future Fashion Initiative, I actively support women by offering one-on-one styling services for job interviews, newcomer integration, and confidence-building. Since July 2022, I’ve partnered with Dress for Success Vancouver, personally styling over 200 individuals, and through my own network as well, and served as their appointed Style Champion. In this role, I teach clients how to build sustainable, budget-friendly wardrobes with a gender-inclusive and body-positive lens. I also provide complimentary capsule wardrobe consultations, helping clients feel their best while minimizing environmental impact.

Education remains a cornerstone of my work. I have supported over 400 participants across programs like Dress for Success, Look Good Feel Better, and the YWCA. I have facilitated sessions such as “Fashion Reimagined,” “Earth Day: Dressing for Your Budget and the Planet,” “Gender Stereotypes in the Workplace,” and “The Power of Confidence” (Appendix). Specialized sessions like “Wigs & Hair Alternatives” have seen a fourfold increase in participants’ reported confidence, with 85% of women feeling more confident post-session. I also led workshops for International Women’s Day and in-person confidence training with the Modern Day Wife Organization focused on skill-building and self-worth.

By July 2025, the Future Fashion Initiative will have hosted 26 fashion and sustainability-focused presentations, including five at TELUS, several with Dress for Success and Look Good Feel Better, and one with Threading Change. I also represent Dress for Success Toronto as a speaker, including at the “Future-Proof Your Career” event hosted by Kassen Recruitment, where I shared styling tips and AI insights to women entering the workforce.

 In addition to direct services, I organize community impact initiatives, such as a donation drive called “Give a Helping Handbag,” which collects stylish, gently used purses filled with essentials for women in need. These initiatives not only provide practical items, but also a message: you are worthy of care, and your future is worth investing in. My mission is supported through providing employment styling services, distributing lightly used professional attire, conducting webinars, and creating social media awareness posts.

conclusion

The Future Fashion Initiative is rooted in the idea that style is more than appearance - it’s a gateway to possibility. Every outfit styled, every woman uplifted, and every sustainability tip shared is a step toward a more confident, inclusive, and responsible future. Empowerment begins with how we see ourselves. By investing in women’s confidence through sustainable personal presentation, we support both social and environmental progress. Whether it's through a donated handbag, a personalized outfit, or a webinar that sparks self-belief, this initiative proves that fashion can be a vehicle for dignity, transformation, and global impact. With continued support, we can continue dressing women, and the world, for a better future.

Webinars and Workshops

1.     Fashion Reimagined with Patricia Seward, Threading Change, 2022.

2.     Dressing for Success: Building a Wardrobe on a Budget, Dress for Success Vancouver, 2022

3.     Earth Day Webinar: Dressing for Your Budget and the Planet, Dress for Success Vancouver, 2023

4.     Dressing for the Planet: Beyond the Suit Series, Dress for Success Toronto, 2023

5.     Gender Stereotypes and Biases in the Workplace with CEO of Career Contacts Natasha Jeshani, 2023

6.     The Power of Confidence with Jessica Bailey - Miss Supranational Canada, 2023

7.     International Women’s Day: Investing in Women & Accelerating Progress with Madison Kvaltin, 2024

8.     Fashion Reimagined for Sustainable Simplicity, Dress for Success Toronto, 2024

9.     Future-Proof Your Career: Styling Tips and AI-Driven Insights, with Kassen Recruitment, Verity Club, 2024

10.  Confidence Coaching, Modern Day Wife, 2024

11.  Wigs & Hair Alternatives: For Women Facing Cancer-Related Appearance Changes, 2024 - 2025

Campaigns and Community Initiatives

•    “Give a Helping Handbag” Donation Drive

•    One-on-One Capsule Wardrobe Styling Consultations

•    Professional Styling for Job Search: Newcomer Integration, women in vulnerable situations

•    Beyond the Suit Fundraising Campaign, Dress for Success Toronto 2023 - 2024

•    Social Media Awareness Campaign, #FutureFashionInitiative

•    Professional Women’s Group Alumni Mentor

 

Podcasts and Media

•    Learning Self-Confidence with Former Miss Canada, Minding My Business Podcast

•    The Wealth Exchange Podcast, Women’s LEAD, Nicola Wealth

•    Earth Day News Story Feature – Sustainable Style and Advocacy, Dress for Success

•    Miss Intercontinental Canada 2023’s Journey, Drishti Prabha Magazine

•    National Pageant Winner has Cape Breton Connection, Cape Breton Post

 

Education and Credentials

•    Luxury Fashion Studies, Bocconi University, Milan

•    Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Marketing & Operations, Simon Fraser University