Our Story
Founder
Hi, I'm Holly Watson. I want to call myself the Founder of Pretty Drift however, I think the true Founder is "Mother Nature." I was inspired by nature and fashion to design handbags to make people feel beautiful. Not to follow seasonal trends. We are fiercely committed and responsible to our planet, people, and animals. Consciously creating timeless, original handbags using only environmentally friendly materials that have been ethically sourced and handmade by local skilled garment engineers. The Muskobow is more than a handbag; it's the voice of change. Fashion is even more magnificent when it's kind!
Growing up in Northern Ontario, I was fortunate to have this paradise at my fingertips. Lush forests, freshwater lakes, rivers, streams, and farmland. I worked in the fashion industry based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. That led me to travel around the world to pursue my career. My journeys inspired an even greater love for natural landscapes and design.
Finally, I settled in gorgeous Muskoka with my husband, two children, and our dogs. I fell in love with Muskoka's majestic, rugged shorelines. Laced with sparkling granite, soaring white pines, rich moss, and driftwood. I truly admired the driftwood for its captivating imperfections and its journey.
"Every handbag is inspired by the Journey".
Values
Pretty Drift’s core values include “Environmental Responsibility”, “Social Responsibility,” and “Individual Responsibility.” We must be the best version of ourselves to support positive change within the fashion industry reflecting the wellbeing of our planet.
Environmental Responsibility
We have a stewardship and a responsibility to care for and protect our planet and the natural environment. Future generations and all living creatures depend on it for their survival.
Biodegradability
Our handbags are consciously created, using ethical, eco-friendly, sustainable vegan materials, that have minimal environmental impact from sourcing to disposal. Choosing materials that can break down naturally at the end of their life, reducing landfill waste, minimizes our environmental footprint.
Innovative vegan textiles we use now or have an interest in using for future handbags are eco-friendly, cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo and biobased leathers such as mushroom leather, cactus leather, apple leather, grape leather and pineapple leather.
We are constantly researching the best and latest technologies in innovative vegan materials. Our packaging is also eco-friendly. All paper products are Forest Stewardship Council certified, 100% recyclable, and 93% recycled.
Circular Economy
Designing for durability and recyclability to extend the lifespan of our handbags and reduce waste is a priority.
We favour premium quality, long-lasting modular materials with no blends. For example, we use 100% linen and 100% cotton, and even our hardware is recyclable as it is low-lead solid brass. These materials can easily be separated and recycled at the end of their lifespan.
Meticulous craftsmanship is carefully considered in quality product construction and superior design to help give the handbag a longer life span, through reuse and recycling.
Reducing Waste
We are a premium vegan handbag brand, prioritizing quality over quantity. Pretty Drift manufactures locally at Fashion Exchange in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in small batch runs, which reduces overproduction and waste.
Fashion Exchange utilizes innovative, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, which contribute to reduced waste.
Other strategies for waste reduction include inventory management, tracking inventory levels, and avoiding overstocking. We also purchase dead-stock denim when it's available to limit waste.
All our materials are eco-friendly. We encourage employees to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Pretty Drift partners with suppliers and manufacturers practicing waste reduction initiatives.
Environmental Footprint
Pretty Drift is working to reduce its environmental footprint. We support 100% carbon-neutral shipping, partnering with UPS.
We have partnered with Cone Denim, USA. They are committed to an annual reduction of 2.5% in greenhouse gas emissions. We focus on collaborating with businesses in the fashion industry that promote positive change.
Inspired by Muskoka
Social Responsibility
Pretty Drift fosters inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and benefits through healthy partnerships that support society and local communities, extending globally.
Fashion Exchange - Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Ethical Production
All our handbags are individually handmade by skilled garment engineers at Fashion Exchange, a local small cut, make, and trim manufacturing company in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Pretty Drift visits Fashion Exchange regularly, they adhere to all ethical, eco-friendly, sustainable, governed, and regulated labour standards. Ensuring the health and safety of everyone involved in our supply chain remains a priority.
Our handbags are consciously designed, with a short supply chain of materials, refining our relationship with manufacturers and suppliers.
Transparency
Having a transparent supply chain is imperative for Pretty Drift. It proves our manufacturers and suppliers strong commitment to sustainability.
The Muskobow is PETA - Approved Vegan. We only partner with manufacturers and suppliers that can supply us with sustainable certification standards, memberships and regulations.
Some of those standards include OEKO-TEX Standard 100, Global Recycling Standard (GRS), Sustainblue™, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and California Proposition 65. A list of all our manufacturers and suppliers can be seen on our website here. We're proud of the products we use in our handbags!
Individual Responsibility
Authenticity
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Be genuine to yourself and others.
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Express your thoughts and feelings honestly.
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Make choices that align with your values.
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Take ownership of yourself, and understand your motivations.
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Be proud of yourself, celebrate, and express yourself freely.
Integrity
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Do what is right and stand firm in your beliefs.
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Choose sincere and kind communication.
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When challenged, remain dedicated.
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Learn from mistakes to grow and improve.
Trust
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Model the behaviours you expect from others.
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Be accountable for mistakes and actively work on solutions.
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Offer constructive feedback and mentorship.
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Follow through on commitments.
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Be honest about company decisions and expectations.
Respect
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Treat others fairly and promote inclusivity.
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Promote zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination.
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Value diverse backgrounds and experiences.
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Maintain professional boundaries and appreciate efforts, give praise for hard work.
Kindness
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Offering assistance to a new team member, or taking on extra work to help someone else.
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Encourages positive communication by using a respectful tone.
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Appreciating colleagues, saying thank you or publicly praising others, boost morale in others.
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Create a supportive environment for learning and development.
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Improve the workplace, clean up common work spaces.
Transparency
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Build trust through openness and honesty.
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Give people the opportunity to communicate in a safe, non-judgmental environment.
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Encourage feedback and align expectations with reality.
Equality
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Support diversity and respect every individual’s worth.
Continuous Learning
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Commit to employee development through training and mentorship.
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Adapt to changing market needs and seek feedback.