Since early 2015, Style with Substance has been working to promote sustainability in the fashion industry and support those innovators and entrepreneurs that were creating positive impact.
By late 2016, we realized that there was a gap with the investment, innovation and sustainable fashion industry in Canada. Our founder, Stacey Fruitman became an Advisor with the MaRS Catalyst Fund to help source early stage companies. As most of these companies too early for Funds, we decided to make pre-seed investment with the SWS Venture arm of the business.
We believe that it is crucial to create a supportive and collaborative eco-system where we see synergies across the various portfolio companies. The portfolio is diversified within the Fashion Innovation sector spanning across areas like material fabrication, new retail business models, and supply chain revitalization.
We welcome you to learn more about our portfolio companies and join us on this journey of a more sustainable fashion industry.
Mars pitch competition on textile innovation, produced and co-hosted by Style with Substance
Stacey Fruitman, the Founder of Style with Substance, has always had a passion for innovation, with a focus on making a positive impact in society.
In 2007, while leading corporate marketing initiatives at Tridel, Canada’s largest condominium developer, Stacey launched and produced the Eco-Suite. Stacey wanted to generate more excitement about living green by focusing on ‘style’. Over 30 promotional partners came together, and the Eco-suite garnered National publicity and was filmed by the New York Times and featured on Jet blue TV.
Stacey holds an HBA from Western University (London, Ontario) and an MBA from ESSEC (Paris, France) in Luxury Brand Management. She also is a certified as Sustainability (CSR) Practitioner (CSR-P) by the Centre of Sustainability and Excellence.