Q & A with Deanna

1. City of residence: Playas del Coco, Costa Rica

2. Place of birth: Oshawa, Canada

3. In under five sentences, define LIYA Collective: LIYA Collective is a sustainable accessory brand creating minimalist accessories for the modern woman. Using natural materials, sustainable processes, and radical transparency, LIYA is redefining what it means to be a slow fashion brand in the global market. Based in Canada, but working with partners from around the world, LIYA’s first collection is a line of Thai silk scarves made by a series of family-owned businesses in Thailand.

4. What social or environmental impact is your business making? LIYA supports small businesses around the world and strives to use natural or eco-friendly materials in all products and processes. LIYA also works to educate the end consumer and the general public about issues facing the fashion industry at large, and how we can all become better global citizens.

5. What inspired you to launch LIYA Collective? The inspiration for LIYA Collective came to me after spending years working with nonprofits around the world and exploring the ways social enterprises and sustainable businesses can have a huge impact on community economic development. I wanted to support small businesses in some of the countries in which I’ve lived, while also creating classic, timeless accessories made from natural materials and playing an active role in transforming the global fashion industry.

6. If you could share just one piece of wisdom with the world, what would it be? Never stop learning.