About Us
CANVS
A blank canvas symbolises a new beginning, a fresh start. A space that begins completely free of judgement and opinion. It’s a clean slate where the creator/artist gets to tell their story in their own way and show the world who they are. I read somewhere that a blank canvas is a symbol for life, with every stroke that is painted we take another step forward.
CANVS Bottega is the digital definition of this, an online workshop of co-created artworks that take many different forms. Some as fashion, some an experience, others from need; all created with the pursuit of a common goal to redefine what it means to make something and the reasons for why you buy it. I call it an experimental e-commerce site. Experimental because the goal is about finding, understanding and implementing sustainable and ethical ways of making in order to bring these collaborations to market. Not as a brand, not as a collection but as is required by you and what the world is saying. In this space we will be learning and failing in real time. There is no set framework of what and how we decide to create and make. No collections, no seasons, no market and no time frames. It will be determined only by those that inspire, a positive footprint, a love for beauty and meaningful creative connection.
Bottega
In Italian meaning “The Studio” or “Workshop” of a major artist in which the other artists may participate in the execution of the projects or commissions of the major artist - Merriam-Webster Dictionary. CANVS is a virtual workshop to the many collaborations that I hope to share with you. A diverse collection of co-created artworks that take form in many different ways. Some fashion, some an experience, others for change or from need. In this workshop we will explore different forms of making, from craftsmanship to supply chains. Some will be a limited edition offering and others might become a staple. Who knows! I will wait and see how we all feel, including Mother Earth.
Collaboration
A co-creative partnership that works towards a common goal. A CANVS collaboration begins with the shared passion to create as sustainably and ethically as we can possibly achieve, and realistically within our means. We believe by pooling our strengths with those of others we can make a greater positive impact. The collaboration process is one of connection and trust that starts with a need or a creative idea. Who we partner with is equally as important as what we decide to create and the process we adopt. It is a long journey not driven by profit but by a desire to make something of true use and beauty.
Community
As with all artwork this CANVS is subjective and might not be for you. I respect this deeply and ask that you respect this space as a place where everyone is welcome if they communicate with kindness and actively listen to others, respecting the diversity of this community and what we are trying to build. Community will be the key to the success of the Bottega. I call it the new currency as its value goes way beyond that of traditional monetary worth. It will be from all of you that possibilities, innovations and inspiration will present itself in ways I know I can’t imagine in these early stages. I’m excited to think of what we can achieve together.
Sustainability
The Bottega is an experiment into all sorts of unique supply chains and makers. Sometimes it will be up cycling dead stock and others made from scratch, using recycled materials. Each time it will be a different process. To be completely across each one will take time so these offerings will be slow to market, often limited and in small numbers. Maybe it will be something you can wear, something you can experience or something you can help change. The Bottega isn’t a sustainable brand but a place of sustainable and ethical practices used and implemented to the best of my understanding and within the scope of my resources. It is a constant question we ask, how can we truly be sustainable? What does being sustainable actually mean? How can we be socially sustainable? The goal is to discover interesting and exciting ways of creating and making to bring beauty in the form of need and function with a low or zero negative impact on the planet. In fact, my dream is that through these collaborations and the Bottega that we evolve from just reducing our impact to creating with a positive impact working towards a circular economy.
Ethical Scaffolding
Recycled
Recycling is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. The recyclability of a material depends on its ability to reacquire the properties it had in its virgin or original state. - Wikipedia
Here at Canvs “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is a bit of a mantra. We see so much beauty and potential in the old and used. We are committed to exploring different methods of recycling to become more circular in our supply chains and our business systems; to evolve from just reducing our impact to making a positive impact. We want to completely reimagine the fashion industry as we know it and move to a new circular economy.
Upcycled
Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products perceived to be of greater quality, such as artistic value or environmental value. - Wikipedia
What was that thing I was saying about another man’s treasure? Upcycling is where creativity can be at its best and we look forward to sharing ways in which we can transform unused goods and materials into something of beauty and purpose.
Carbon Footprint
A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an individual, event, organisation, service, or product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent. - Wikipedia
At the Bottega we are always looking at ways to reduce our carbon emissions. We are doing the usual: looking at our supply chains, the energy and materials our business uses from textiles and freight to power and packaging. Yet as a diverse e-commerce platform with many collaborators there are still so many unforeseeable ways we continue to grow our carbon footprint which is why we have partnered with Carbon Click to offset these leftover emissions that are difficult to reduce or are a blind spot in our business that we haven’t yet discovered. We will post our offset report every six months on Shop.CanvsBottega.com and share where those contributions have gone. We would love for you to join us in reducing the environmental impact of e-commerce by clicking on the green button in your shopping cart. When you click it, a small contribution is added to your basket which purchases carbon offsets. These offsets reduce the environmental impact of the carbon emissions related to the purchase. CarbonClick’s offsets fund Gold Standard projects such as forest restoration, tree planting, and renewable energy projects here in Australia and around the world. As we already adopt some carbon free practices and offset our additional footprint, your contribution is actually making the purchase climate positive which is a pretty great thing. More on CARBON CLICK
Packaging
Our packaging is indeed a constant challenge as each item in each collaboration needs to be researched and sourced every time. Look for what we commit to with each product type in the DETAILS section. We will be investing in recycled, biodegradable, post-consumer and compostable options that use sustainable renewable resources.
Makers
Hail to our talented crafts folk and makers bringing these offerings to life so we can wear, use and treasure them for a very long time. Through the Bottega we will be working with a diverse group of skilled people such as artisans, textile workers, builders and innovators. Each product that you see IN-HOUSE and in PRINTS is made locally here in Australia with talented folk who share our values. We are proud to make local as much as we can and where the opportunity presents itself. A big consideration is minimising the impact of our supply chain as it moves from co-creators, to makers and crafts folk then back to you. Through story telling of the process and labelling we will share the many skilled hands and names of those who have played an important role in the journey of these wares. Sometimes our COLLABORATIONS can take us further afield where transparency will not be firsthand, but by working with like-minded co-creators who share the same practices and ethics we will continue to improve our ethical manufacturing practices, and environmental and social impact.
Made to Order
Made to Order (MTO) is a production approach where products are not built until a confirmed order for products is received. Thus, the end consumer determines the time and number of produced products. - Wikipedia
MTO is a way for us to literally slow down the fashion process where the period between purchasing and then receiving is felt in real time. To have something just made for you literally connects you to the making of that piece breaking through the digital screen of anonymous online shopping. MTO pieces have big environmental benefits as it helps minimise surplus stock that potentially would end up in landfill.
Limited Edition
Limited edition or special edition, an item or collection produced in limited numbers or for a limited time. - Wikipedia
All our photographic prints are numbered and signed limited editions. Our photographs are very personal to us collected from meaningful times in our lives and we want this to transcend to our community. The majority of COLLABORATIONS will have limited runs which is one of the main philosophies behind CANVS BOTTEGA. To be creative and inspired by the time at hand, making small runs to control our environmental impact.
Natural Fibres
Natural fibres are made out of natural materials that come from plants, animals, or minerals. The raw, natural materials are spun into threads and yarns that are then woven or knit into natural fabrics. There are two general categories of natural fibres: animal-based or plant-based. Animal-based natural fibres include silk and wool, while plant-based natural fibres include cotton, linen, and jute. - Masterclass.com
We understand that the environmental benefits of natural fibres verse new innovations in synthetics and vegetable fibres are rapidly evolving and we will continue to educate ourselves as these options become available to the smaller end of market. When there is a need to use natural fibres, we will only use organic such as GOT certified organic cotton