Cassandra Bailey, the owner and designer of the Canadian fashion brand, Old Fashioned Standards stated, “Brands can be seen as a community and the clothes they put out symbolize the story they tell, the history they represent, and the ethical standards they abide by,” during an exhilarating conversation we had about what fashion means today. Bailey, who recently presented her sustainable modern work-wear designs at Global Fashion Collective’s Tokyo Fashion Week and Vancouver Fashion Week, claims that you wear your logo on your sleeve and tell the world, “I subscribe to this way of viewing the world.” 

Bailey’s viewpoint emphasizes the necessity for brands to maintain transparency concerning their principles. For instance, by advocating for the liberation of social impacts from colonialism and supporting Indigenous peoples globally, she elevates members of her community through collaboration with Indigenous talent. Simultaneously, she acknowledges the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, collectively known as “Vancouver, Canada,” where the OFS studio is located. 

Growing up in Cochrane, Alberta, a modest ranch town within the Calgary metropolitan area of Alberta, Canada, significantly influenced the principles that Bailey upholds in her brand today. The encouragement she received from her family and community was instrumental in the establishment of a brand that prioritizes environmental consciousness and social inclusivity, embodying a commitment to environmental protection and equality for all individuals. Old Fashioned Standards (OFS), she asserts, is “a brand that speaks for itself.” The name pays tribute to the old-fashioned way of life, where communities flourished through the craftsmanship of tradespeople such as tailors, butchers, and mechanics, who excelled in their trades and tended to the well-being of their communities.

Following her family’s legacy of specialized trade, Bailey diligently promotes sustainable practices that effectively reduce waste during all stages of product development. Creating gender-neutral clothing with a unique sizing system helps reduce inventory. Repurposing deadstock Australian Outback oilcloth from a factory with surplus materials, which launched her journey, reduces environmental textile waste. “I was obsessed with oilcloth and wax materials,” she reminisces. She upcycles unwanted fabrics, recycles scraps, and uses natural fiber materials, such as Selvedge denim, to create durable garments, showcasing her commitment to a closed-loop economy, a standard that distinguishes her from many of her contemporaries. 

Old Fashioned Standards pays homage to the back-in-the-day vibes when every community had a tailor, butcher, mechanic, etc., and each person had to be the best at their craft or trade because they provided that specific service to their community, and oftentimes, it was a generational craft.

Cassandra Bailey

Rhonda P. Hill: Cassandra, let’s talk about your background—where are you from, where did you study, and how did you get into fashion?  

Cassandra Bailey: I grew up in Cochrane, Alberta, a small ‘ranch’ town famous for our ice cream. I moved to Vancouver in 2009 after high school and studied Fashion Design at Vancouver Community College. After much research on all the programs in the Vancouver area, VCC was my first choice based on the technicality of the program. They offered the most pattern drafting and professional sewing techniques, which is what I wanted to learn the most.

I always had my own style especially as a kid I always had a unique outfit going on. Money was not of excess or access when it came to shopping for clothes so I think I got creative at a younger age. I learned how to alter clothes I had or make something. Also, my mom always had a sewing room growing up, although I wasn’t allowed to use her machines because I was too rough on stuff so that probably pushed me more to want to do it. I eventually got my own machine and I started sewing boxer shorts and selling them to my friends in middle school. When I got to high school I had the coolest sewing teacher Mrs. Johnson, she really added gas to my fire for fashion and my dream of pursuing a career in it. I was the only student she let customize patterns and make whatever I wanted so that made me feel pretty special. She really encouraged me to go to Fashion School so I have to give a lot of props to Mrs. Johnson for always believing in me.  

RP Hill: Why and when did you start Old Fashioned Standards, and how would you characterize your brand?  

CB: I officially started OFS in Nov of 2012. I wanted to create a brand that spoke for itself. Old Fashioned Standards pays homage to the back-in-the-day vibes when every community had a tailor, butcher, mechanic, etc., and each person had to be the best at their craft or trade because they provided that specific service to their community, and oftentimes, it was a generational craft. I really liked that commitment and skill that takes time and years to hone in and be the best you can be. It really comes from hearing stories and experiencing life in my grandma’s small town, Kenton, Manitoba. It has a population of 150 people. My grandparents owned and ran the butcher shop in town for years, and then my grandpa moved into the tire shop and ran that until he retired. So that community-based trades business is in our family.

The Tokyo collection … is devotion to marking a time and place with everything that is happening in the world right now and the power of collaboration with friends through art.

Cassandra Bailey

RP Hill: What is the concept and story behind your Tokyo collection that was seen on the runways of Tokyo Fashion Week (September 2024) and Vancouver Fashion Week (October 2024)? 

CB: The concept and story of the Tokyo collection was essentially an accumulation of a few things. One being a ‘love letter’ of sorts to the 8-year-old me, the one who really started this process. Second is devotion to marking a time and place with everything that is happening in the world right now and the power of collaboration with friends through art. Third, achieving the milestone of going to Japan to show my brand on an international stage was an incredible opportunity, and I knew I had to level up and bring my best.

RP Hill: Describe how you practice sustainable fashion within a circular fashion system where you mitigate waste and promote a continual use of resources.  

CB: My practice of sustainable fashion is through up-cycling materials as often as possible, saving scraps and off cuts to use in quilted projects. As for production, since the induction date, every single product has been handcrafted in house by me. Handcrafting products to last, made with longevity in mind creates the highest quality possible which is reflected in the pricing and limited quantities. This naturally incentivizes the customers to repair as needed, or re-gift, or re-sell their OFS down the road if their style or size changes. Lastly, when I am buying new materials, I make sure I source sustainable materials most of which are coming from Japan or the USA.  

I am also working on creating a new sector that is ‘OFS vintage’ to close the gap and be completely circular in the fashion system. I want the story of the previous owner to be part of the new owner’s knowledge.

Cassandra Bailey

RP Hill: Sourcing sustainable materials is one way to meet the principles of a circular fashion system, what else are you doing?  

CB: Well, for fabric content alone, I mostly use natural fiber-only materials with the exception of the waterproof bag liners and straps I use. I started my business with up-cycled Australian outback oilcloth and exclusively used oilcloth for the first few years before branching into hats and denim. Additionally, as I mentioned above, the scrap saving to create one-of-one quilted pieces down the road keeps my overall waste very minimal. I am also working on creating a new sector that is ‘OFS vintage’ to close the gap and be completely circular in the fashion system. I want the story of the previous owner to be part of the new owner’s knowledge. Why are they passing it along, so to speak? This will be a commission-based sector on Instagram eventually.

RP Hill: Oh I love the ‘OFS vintage’ idea. You are establishing provenance with each of your pieces. Bravo!

RP Hill: Your handmade designs are beautifully constructed, and you design for both male and female bodies. Do these designs intentionally offer a unisex/androgynous appeal?  

CB: Yes, my brand has been gender neutral since day one. If my designs appeal to you, then it is for you. The sizing system accommodates gender neutral as well. I have always dressed androgynous so I always knew I wanted to have a brand that was an extension of my style, whether I would wear all the products or not, each product has to have the OFS fit, function and fashion. We want our customers to feel empowered, comfortable, and confident for whatever each day throws at them.   

RP Hill: The accessories are so well coordinated with the apparel. Do you design the accessories, as well … the hats and bags?  

CB: Awe, thank you so much! Yes, I design, draft, cut and sew everything. I love making bags and hats and I love pulling the whole look together with subtle notes throughout, so you can piece out the look and wear it individually but also altogether. I love to create timeless products that you can wear or use as much as possible.   

RP Hill: Well Cassandra, what advice would you give to those starting a career in fashion design, those who dream of doing what you do? 

CB: Hmm I would say write down your vision for your brand, create 4 pillars that are the foundation of your brand that you will never sway from. Start small and grow slow. Keep your day job in the beginning so there isn’t as much pressure on the business initially and expect to work nonstop ha. But enjoy, don’t let it take over your life completely because once you do it is hard to reel it back even a little.  

RP Hill: Anything on the horizon you would like to share?  

CB: Horizon ambitions I am not ready to share yet in case I jinx it ha-ha, but I can tell people I will be returning to made-to-order and limited custom orders in the new year. I had pressed pause on them last year for the first time ever. 

Congratulations, Cassandra! You are the path to the future of fashion with timeless designs, quality material and make, all paired with cultural and environmental consciousness. 

Website: Old Fashioned Standards | Instagram: @oldfashionedstandards

Photos: Vancouver Fashion Week, October 2024, courtesy of Vancouver Fashion Week