VBT 146: Hilary MacMillan on running a vegan, feminist, size-inclusive fashion brand

In this episode I interview Hilary MacMillan, founder of her eponymous women’s fashion brand in Canada.

Founded in 2013, Hilary was one of the first Canadian designers to embody the plus-size market within her collections. Having becoming vegan and now sustainable, Hilary’s brand has been a voice of change.

In 2017, she launched her Feminist Capsule collection of bomber jackets, which has been worn by fashion icon Victoria Beckham.

Hilary donates 15% of all proceeds to Up With Women, an organization that supports at-risk women rebuild careers in their respective communities.

She’s also committed to donate 100% of the proceeds of her ‘Equal Pay’ Varsity Jacket to the Black Women in Motion organization – in perpetuity.

Hilary’s collections include sizing from 2 – 28, and the recent launch of her Signature Blouse, made from cupro – a 100% biodegradable waste product of cotton – marks the beginning of an important journey into the sustainable market for the brand.

In this interview Hilary discusses:

• Why including the plus-size market has been important for her from the beginning

• The responses to her using the word ‘feminist’ in the name of one of her jackets

• How fashion icon Victoria Beckham came to wear and post on social media about Hilary’s Feminist Capsule jacket and what impact this had on her business.

• How she’s grown the brand over the years in a competitive industry that favors cheap, fast-fashion

• The impact of COVID-19 on her business and how she’s handled it

• And more

Visit the Hilary MacMillan website

Find out more about Black Women in Motion and Up With Women

RESOURCES:

My Online PR Course for Vegan Business Owners & Entrepreneurs: Vegans in the Limelight

My book Vegan Ventures: Start and Grow an Ethical Business

Services: Work with me

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