Lennard Taylor: Clothing as Identity, Dignity, and Belonging

Winnipeg designer, artist, and storyteller Lennard Taylor joins Stuart Murray to talk about clothing as identity, not just fabric. Lennard traces his path from a soccer career cut short by injury to two decades of painting, sewing, and dressing people out of his studio and boutique on Sherbrooke Street.

https://youtu.be/M7x6VZBo6ng?si=x7qK2sPkOqNAOU9U

Lennard pushes back against fast fashion, arguing that most people have lost the basic skill and instinct of dressing themselves with intention. He talks about his "bloodline" signature, a red stripe stitched into many of his garments as a symbol that everyone bleeds the same blood regardless of skin colour or language. He names his pieces after real Winnipeg clients — the Catherine pant, the Brenda Swing shirt — because his designs are, in his words, built from real community relationships, not abstractions.

Much of the conversation is about zero waste: free repair workshops that teach basic skills like sewing on a button, turning worn or memory-laden clothing into sculpture instead of landfill, and a longer-term vision for turning textile waste into building material for housing. He closes on why community matters to him as a father, entrepreneur, and artist.

We're talking:

• Fast fashion versus intentional, longer-lasting wardrobes

• The "bloodline" signature and its human rights meaning

• Zero waste, repair, and turning old clothing into art

Connect with Lennard or find out about his upcoming sustainability events at LennardTaylor.com

Episode Transcript:

Stuart Murray 00:00

This podcast was recorded on the ancestral lands on Treaty One territory, the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji Cree, Dakota, and the Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.

Matt Cundill 00:20

This is Humans on Rights, a podcast advocating for the education of human rights. Here's your host, Stuart Murray.

Stuart Murray 00:30

Today on Humans on Rights, we're talking about something we all wear, but very few of us think as a form of human expression-clothing. My guest is Winnipeg's own Lennard Taylor, an internationally recognized designer, artist, and storyteller, whose root work is rooted in color, culture, history, and community. Lennard doesn't simply make clothes; he creates pieces that tell stories and invite us to think about who we are and where we come from, and perhaps most importantly, he reminds us that what we wear can be a statement of identity, dignity, and belonging. Lennard Taylor, welcome to Human Zone Rights. Hello. I know you said you were going to bring happiness to this podcast. I love it. So let's start off a little bit, Lennard. You know, I happen to be sitting with with Ashley across the street at a coffee store called Tom Bargain. Looked across, and there was this crazy thing developing right across the street. And you know, it looked like somebody who was was was like a mad scientist. Somebody who was creative. Somebody who was making a difference. Somebody was sort of saying, "Hey, I'm in the community. Let's do something. And we knocked on the door, walked in, and there's Lenard Taylor. And what a story! Tell us about how you got into the incredible work that you're doing, and why it's so important to you.

Lennard Taylor 01:56

Ah, well, thank you first and foremost for that glowing and and wonderful reception to the podcast. Wow, it's you know my head I think is a little bit bigger now, and my body is activated. The 100 trillion cells of my body is just feeling so great right now. So thank you for that glowing, warm introduction.

Stuart Murray 02:17

Deserved in my pleasure.

Lennard Taylor 02:18

As far as what got me into clothing? I've always liked clothing. You know, growing up, you know, we you find outfits and you feel really good in them and you wear them. I went overseas to play soccer. That was the end of that career after a little bit of time, and I really loved the way that clothing made me feel. So I was in Europe. I'm all alone. My dreams of being a soccer player, football player was dashed, and I was like, I put on clothes, and it made me feel really good about myself because everybody I knew was back seven hours, and that's a lonely time, and that just led me into okay, well, I'm gonna start sketching and painting, and then making clothes, and here I am, 20 years later, still dressing people in excellence, still painting paintings. As you can see behind me, there's one of my hand-painted original works of art, another blazer that I'm working on for international tech MC. It's just a rewarding career. I feel so grateful to be able to do it, and that's how I got into it. My real goal is to make people smile and feel good. So whether it's my clothing, my art, my words, I just want to make people smile and feel good because everybody deserves to feel that, and that's why I'm on the earth.

Stuart Murray 03:33

I love that, Lenard. I think the one thing that is interesting is that transition. Though, I mean, could you use that same mind space when you said when you were going to be a soccer player. Could you use that same feeling and you just transitioned that feeling into making what you do today, or did you pivot and say, you know what, that that was a career I was going to try and do. I didn't, but this is what really is who I am, what makes me happy, and what I want to pursue.

Lennard Taylor 03:59

Yeah, I think you know you just have to flow with life. You know how how is life flowing, and the the career in soccer was I was a good player, but I you know it wasn't the body type for me. You know I was riddled with injuries my whole career, and then that was the end ultimate end of it, right? But now I utilize the determination, all the athletic training. Like I still work out every day. Meditation. I was introduced to meditation at a very young age because of soccer, and then also my dad. So I had the two different ones. I had like the soccer one, and then a different transcendental meditation. So those kind of impacted, and that's why what I do now is is is who I am at the core of my being, my body. I help to align and help to understand people's clothing and what it does for them, how it makes them feel, how the fibers, how the styles, how the cuts, how the colors. All impact your body, your being, and who you are far beyond the seams, and that's the thing that we've kind of all missed in in clothing. Now is that we don't understand. Hey, cool kids, we don't understand that true concept of how to dress ourselves. The simple, fundamental shift of how do we dress ourselves every single day, and that's the thing that I think a lot of people have lost, and they they're kind of like unsure about. So yeah, it's really really good.

Stuart Murray 05:28

But you know, Lennard, what makes you sort of stand out is that you know there's a lot of, and I'll just use the expression fast fashion. You know, and people talk about fast fashion as much like fast food, it's there. It's not good for you. It doesn't last. What you're talking about is making a statement, and I said in my intro that what you design and what you put on people basically is a statement of their identity, of their dignity, and their belonging, and you know that that is really to some extent, and because this is obviously a podcast that's sort of focused on human rights, when you think about identity and belonging and community and clothing, you know, tie all those things together that make Lennard Taylor get up every morning and say, "Man, I've got-I know exactly what I'm going to do to the first person that walks through my door.

Lennard Taylor 06:20

Well, my my mornings start with my son now. I have a two and a half year old, so waking up with him, I get to see the world through his eyes-the beauty, the wonder, the the excitement, the joie de vivre-all these beautiful things-and getting to see the world that way enhances my being. A little bit of meditation, a little bit of exercise, healthy breakfast, and then up and and and to work to support and facilitate people' personal best, their their wellness. It's how they dress themselves. I love to enhance your whole lifestyle. I'm not in it to dress you for like a quick buck and you know, buy a piece of clothing, and then you know we're done. I'm here to like actually understand you at your core, who you are, what you're going to do, where you're going to go, and then if you rip it, tear it, break it, stain it, any of these clothings, we can repair it. I can repair it. My team can repair it, or we can teach you how to do it, so you don't actually need us because we're here to facilitate your personal best, what we can do to enhance your being. So you are what you eat, you are what you wear. Right? If you're wearing something that lights you up, that makes you excited, that gives you the enthusiasm, that gives you the confidence, because somebody's going to come and tell you how good you look, and then your head's like, "Oh yeah, I'm ready. I look good. I feel good. I'm gonna talk well. I'm gonna do exciting things, and I'm gonna light up the world with my day, right? And that's the fundamental shift that we're kind of missing in a lot of our dressing right now. That people are onto this fast fashion, like quick thing, but it's not actually giving them anything in their body, their being, their endocrine system, their like their whole being, your largest organ, right? Your skin. What are you putting on your skin? What is your skin absorbing? How is it breathing through that fabric? What is it going to do for your long being, your longevity, your excitement? All of these fun things.

Stuart Murray 08:19

So, Lennard, just a bit of a pivot. We're going to come back to kind of what you're doing. But I just want to, you know, sort of touch on the fact that as a new father, well, you're not. I mean, we say new, but I mean, you've got a two-year-old. Yeah, love it. Okay, so tell me, from what, when do you think people should start looking at the clothing they wear? Is there? Does that happen at a two-year-old, an eight-year-old, a 12-year-old, anytime you're old? How do you sort of put that your view, your lens on sort of a young child that you're dressing

Lennard Taylor 08:52

today? Today is the answer. I think everyone should be conscious and aware of what they're putting on their body every single day, from a young age to an old person to middle-aged person to a teenager. Like, what are you supporting on your body that enhances your day? Think about the choices. Think about the colors, the fabrics. What is the fabric doing for you? You know, different fabrics have different frequencies that connect to your body, your your frequency of who you are, and there's other ones that do absolutely nothing for you, or inhibit your body, or poison your body, right? So it's it's what are you wearing every single day? It's a hard choice. It's just like eating. Like everyone knows that we should eat organic, that we should eat the best stuff, but you know the reality of day to day is it's tough, right? But this is a fundamental shift that you can make very quickly. That when you start observing the labels, you start understanding the processes. You understand how you can repair it, how you can enhance it, how you can modify it to suit your. Lifestyle better, and what that's going to do is just give you this enhanced confidence and ability to go and do anything in your day because you have all of this amazing stuff happening.

Stuart Murray 10:11

So, Lennard, a couple of things that you know people that are listening might say, you know what, that looks like it's super expensive. I'm not sure I can afford it. I'd love it. It looks beautiful, but I'm not sure I can afford it. Where do you come down on the understanding of affordability and longevity, and what product, the clothing, the art pieces that you were making? It's it's more than I mean, it's more. It's like an investment, right? As opposed to looking at something that it's expensive. How do you, how would you answer somebody that said, "I I'd love it, man, but I don't know if I can afford it.

Lennard Taylor 10:45

Well, it's in it's investment in yourself, of of course. It's investment in yourself and your personal well being, right? And you don't need a million dollars to create a modern uniform, something that works for you every single day that you can accessorize and put yourself into a cost per wear section, right? So I I say that you don't need a lot of money. You just needed to make some choices to how to modify your wardrobe to be more fine tuned, to still give you that confidence, that enhancement, and that that wonder of I can just put something on, and no matter what I put on from this small little capsule wardrobe, I look good. I look presentable. I look ready to accomplish. I look approachable. I look supportive, and allow yourself to narrow in on your your wardrobe. So we don't need a lot of clothes. We also don't need to wash our clothes nearly as much as we are.

Stuart Murray 11:42

That's interesting.

Lennard Taylor 11:43

That's a huge water savings and a huge savings on your energy bill, your footprint on society. So there's all these fundamental shifts that we can make very easily when we're conscious and we're aware that what we're dressing, right? So that's what I love helping people with going through getting to know you, understanding your lifestyle, and how I can support and facilitate a modern uniform-a simple little baseline that you can build off of when you have the funds to invest in a new piece.

Stuart Murray 12:14

And so, you know, Lenard, I think a lot of times-and you have described your clothing sometimes as art and as storytelling. So, do you think that you're well? Let me just say, how would you express the fact that some people would say that your clothing says more about them than they can say about themselves?

Lennard Taylor 12:36

Oh wow! You got some good questions, man. I'm I'm loving this interview, clothing it enhances our life, it enhances our body, our being, and it allows us to feel to ourselves, right? It allows us to connect to oneself and to allow our inner personality to shine, right? And yes, sometimes, like if you're an introvert, I would highly recommend when you're going to an event or you're going somewhere where you're like, oh man, what am I? How am I going to do this thing? There's all these people, all these things, and you're kind of like choked up. I would encourage that person to wear something very flashy, very very outside of their comfort zone, because what that's going to do is it's going to be an entry point for conversation. People are going to come up to you and say, "Oh, you know, I love what you're wearing, or what are you wearing? Tell me about this. And then you have a story behind it because you've met the designer. The designers picked things for you. They've selected things that work for their body, their complexion, who they are, and you know you feel elegant. It's that experience, and you know whether it's me or another designer. When you go to someone that knows what they're doing and has your best interest at heart, you're gonna feel amazing in the experience of that. But then also, the experience of wearing the garment is gonna give you more people coming to you know give you that excitement, that energy, and then it's going to vibrate that outwards even more that you're feeling great. More great opportunities start coming towards you and and making you smile and feel good. And it just enhances your body, your being, and things like that. And anyone can do this. Anyone can can feel this in a garment. We all know it when we put on an awesome outfit, a great garment. You just like you light up, and so I'm encouraging you. I'm I'm I'm begging you to do that today. You know, don't wait. Like you know, get up, put something on that makes you feel really good.

Stuart Murray 14:34

Yeah,

Lennard Taylor 14:35

it'll transform your day. I guarantee it. Try it out. You know, and let me know that let me know the experience. I

Stuart Murray 14:41

just know that having been in your store, do you call it a store?

Lennard Taylor 14:46

Yeah, store boutique, Sherbrooke Street Market. I like to call you know having the markets around. It's really inspired. Yeah, I just think that you know the

Stuart Murray 14:56

experience when you come into your boutique, your store. You know, you are very much. You know, you want to just kind of have a conversation. I mean, you know, I mean, and at some point, if you want to talk close, let's talk clothes. But you want to have a conversation, which I think is fantastic, Lennard. I, you know, obviously, I can see some incredible pieces behind you that you've created. How do you choose the material that you're going to work with, and I and I'm asking that if there is not trying to put you on the spot, but I just know that you are such a kind of a visionary avant-garde kind of creative person. That do you look at from a human rights perspective where product comes from, what you're using for material?

Lennard Taylor 15:37

100% Yeah, I have an amazing team with the True Transparent Program to make garments that everybody that's touching that garment along the way is is smiling and happy and and you feel it when you put on one of my garments like you put on one of my garments and you will instantly feel better I guarantee this if you don't then I've picked the wrong garment for you and I apologize because I'll always make sure that you look good and feel good. Because if you look bad and feel bad, I haven't done my job. So you know,

Stuart Murray 16:07

right,

Lennard Taylor 16:07

right. We choose the best fabrics we can. We work with the best factories that we can when we make overseas, and then we work here in Winnipeg with our signature brand, and and that's how we produce. We we make sure that everybody along the process is paid a living wage, is using good things, is feeling good. And if they're not, I encourage them to tell me and let me know because you know I want to smile and feel good knowing that everybody along the way is having a good life.

Stuart Murray 16:35

And I think one of the things that you've done, and and I we had a bit of a conversation, but I want to bring it into this podcast conversation. Is you've been deeply connected to Winnipeg. You've had a shop for a while in the exchange. You've now moved on to Sherbrooke, and you know you've been a huge booster Winnipeg for decades. And I'm just wondering what you've learned from the people that you've been associated with in our community, and what kind of stories have you learned that has really sort of found its way into the creativity of your work?

Lennard Taylor 17:04

Oh well, wow, yeah. Being integrated in this community in Winnipeg is is is monumental. You know, I travel a lot for work, and they're like, "Why do you live in Winterpeg, Manitoba? And I say I live in Winterpeg Manisoba because the people here are tremendous, the community, the the spirit, the vibrancy, the the you know tell all to your friends nature of being here. It's it's it's a very grounded place. It's a very sacred place, in my opinion. And we also have those four distinct seasons, right? Like we have all of those, which a lot of not a lot of geographic locations can say that. So it's very inspiring, in in in that way. And then the community, all of my pieces that I make are are named after actual people. You know, my best-selling women's pant, the Catherine pant, is named after a lawyer in Calgary who was really tall, and she wanted a pair of pants that were so comfortable that she could wear them all day, but presentable enough that she could wear them anywhere. And so I made the Catherine pants. So most women that try on the Catherine pants, they need to be shortened, and we do that custom for them so it's fit for you. So you have the best pair, you have the best options for your body, your complexion, your your curves of your body, and all of my garments are named after real people. The Brenda Swing shirt, my top selling shirt, pairs great with Catherine, and I think that if these two women matt, they would definitely be friends. And that's why the pieces work together. Brenda's an amazing woman from Winnipeg here and the Gimli area, and she also goes up north and is a nurse and does astrology. And she's just a wonderful person. So my designs are very you know reminiscent and inspired by my my clients.

Stuart Murray 19:01

So you've mentioned a couple of interesting clothing lines you have named after people. Is there a sense if anybody's listening to this, just saying, does Lennard Taylor just make clothing for women?

Lennard Taylor 19:13

No, I make I make clothing for human beings. Got it. I I look at you as us all as one, right? We are just beings of light having a human experience, and we all bleed the same, which is why I have a signature red ribbon you'll see on a lot of my collection because we're all one race, the human race, right? So I don't judge clothing to people. It's like no, if it looks like something you'd want to wear, put it on and try it on. If it's something that you're not sure of and you're like, I don't know, try it on. And if it's something that's like I would absolutely not wear this, try it on. Why not? It's free try-ons, right?

Stuart Murray 19:57

Right, right. Free

Lennard Taylor 19:58

try-ons. Yeah, just do it for. Fun, like it's not about like people take it so seriously, and we need to make clothing fun again. And that's that's what I like to think I do for people every day is I make clothing fun for them.

Stuart Murray 20:11

And and each piece you do, I I kind of did a little bit of research, Lenard, on some of the quotes that you've done in various magazines and some of your interviews, and you talk about every single piece that I make is a work of art, and it's a part of who I am as a person. I mean, it's something that you put into your work. The one that struck me, I thought, was very interesting because it deals with sustainability and responsibility. Was this was your quote? You got to pick up the needle and thread and learn and educate yourself on how to change things-that is the number one thing to transform this industry. What was the context of that quote? We

Lennard Taylor 20:48

all deserve to understand a fundamental skill to pick up a needle and thread and be able to fix something. I think we've kind of got with our smartphones and things like we've kind of gotten away from the hand-on needle positioning of of things, and it's super simple. Anyone can do it. That's why there's like over 100 million kids forced to work, most of them in the clothing industry, because anyone can do it. And it's a it's a super easy thing. We just have to get past our mental block of oh I don't sew, and just like pick up a needle and thin and be like okay I I sew you know so I think it's it's just like an empowerment thing for yourself knowing yeah if my button pops off and I'm in touring around Europe I can easily just put it sew it back on every hotel or little place you can get a little sewing kit. I have little sewing kits. Everyone should be able to do that simple thing. Like you tear something, boom. You know, like you can have it fixed in no time. It doesn't have to go in the landfill. And you know, it it enhances your your your self skill. But it's also like, okay, now what if you make it into a patch or to a little hand needle point, or hand stitchery, or hand embroidery-that's like a memory of the experience, right? And now you've personalized your shirt, and you've got this cool little character or design or something that you know about, and it gives you that like, hey, yeah, awesome, I feel good, like I, I can do it, you know. And and it's just like it's it's such an empowering thing. So I think that everyone should learn to do it. I think that's why I've been making a massive installation that's going to be like a you can a one stop shop for educational experiences, so that you can learn to paint on your garment, you can learn to mend your garment, you can learn to transform your garment into a work of art if you want, and that's why I did started the paint mend and play so that people could get together, gather. I do a quick tutorial in painting, and then people start painting. And then, if you want a quick tutorial in hand stitching a patch on a garment, we can do that. If you want to learn how to do hand embroidery, we can do that. It's about acquiring skills in life and things that enhance your body, your being. Yeah, it's it's an amazing experience to come and and learn.

Stuart Murray 23:12

Well, I mean, I think it's fantastic that you're sharing that way, and and I I think you know when you talk about it, just name name the program again, Lennard, if you don't mind, and then just tell if people are interested that are listening how they might find out some more about it.

Lennard Taylor 23:26

Yeah, so get in touch. Get in touch one on linardaylor.com. It's L E N N A R D, and then Taylor T A Y L O R. Get in touch on my website linardaylor.com. There is an events calendar right at the top navigation bar, and there's the different workshops that we have. So paint, mend, and play is with me. Dee Dee Stitchery is is with my mom. She does the most amazing embroidery and hand stitchery. And then we also have Ally from the Flower Bar here, who does workshops in flower crowns and and and flowers and workshops of building bouquets and dried bouquets. So there's different there's different options to learn of a variety of skills, and I look forward to that expanding as time goes on. And the different courses, there's another woman that wanted to teach about fixing your sewing machine because inevitably people fixed you know need a need a fix. They need to understand the mechanisms, and so there's lots of different things happening, and and that's why you know I highly encourage people to just you know get in touch, give me your email address or how to get in touch with you, whether you want to get a text message from me telling you that there's this great thing happening, or if you're online and you're watching this and you're like I want to get involved now, just online. Since COVID, I you know have done online appointments for many people from across North America and some you know worldwide. Even eventually, it's easy. I take you on a personalized tour of the shop, and then I look at your body. We do a quick measurement, and then I pick you everything that looks good on your body today. That's what I excel at. Is. Is picking for you. So when someone comes in, I say you need five minutes. I will pick every style that I have right now that'll look good on you. You go in the change room, you try it on. I make you a wish list, and then you're you're good to go for a long time. So whenever you need to enhance and create that dial in that modern uniform, you just call me up and say, "Hey, Lennard, I was thinking about getting that pair of pants. What was it, and what size was I? And I go, "You're this and in this, and you know that's that's what I do for people. I make I make dressing really easy, so you even have to think about it. So you get up in the morning, you put something on that's ready, waiting, and ready to give you that like warm hug, like "Hey, welcome to the day. That's what my Renee sweater does for me every morning when it's kind of chilly. I put on my Renee sweater and I'm I feel so good, feel like a warm hug. And that's what our clothing does for us. It's like that blanket, that security, that that wellness, that protection, that that thing that you know enhances our day, our being, our body-you know-putting on one of my coats, right? It's surrounding you in this this loving coziness, this this warmth, this this flexibility that you know in your mind that no matter what comes at you today, whether you spill on it or rip it, you'll have the power and the backing behind the people and the brand, the the the association of being someone that understands how to transform their clothing for themselves and how they feel and how it enhances who they are.

Stuart Murray 26:32

So let me just get you to bust a myth for a second. You know, people say, "Hey, you got to dress your age. You know, be careful. You got to make sure you dress your age. Go with that

Lennard Taylor 26:42

one. Dress how you want to dress. You know, like feel good in the clothing that you have. Everybody deserves it, and it's so easy. I guarantee whoever's watching this right now, they have clothing in their closet that is going to make them light up. That's going to give them that like, I'm saying, grab those clothings, put them together in a section, and wear those as much as possible, as much as possible, and it's gonna change your life. It's gonna change who you are, how you live, how your day is, and at that point, so you take all of the clothings that light you up, you put them on your bed, put them all out there. Everything else in that closet, we can probably delete, or we can put aside and see if maybe we want to keep them later. But then you take the stuff that's on your bed, and you put it back in the closet, and then you build your wardrobe that way. Like we just shift our warings of the clothing that we have currently, and we make it all work together. And where I come in is I help you with the other parts. Like for me, I have the most amazing clothing that will enhance your day, enhance your body, your being, your feeling, and confidence. But I want-it's not about me. It's about creating that for yourself, and how we do that. And you want me to take you step by step and do it with you. Happy to do that because I want to transform your life with the clothing that you wear.

Stuart Murray 28:19

One of the things that I I think you know would be interesting for you to give your you know kind of what what makes you go Lenard is if somebody's listening to this and saying oh okay well I'm going to do that and there's going to be say half my wardrobe that I thought I don't really wear it so I guess I'll just throw it out. I knew it dragged you crazy, so I just need you to respond to that.

Lennard Taylor 28:42

Yeah, totally. That's like the weirdest thought process to me. If you want to get rid of it, call me up, bring it by. I will make a way for it to disappear for you and make it into something. Push it down the line to the people that can facilitate that repeat rehabilitation of the clothing because what we've got a lot of it happening in the planet. There's huge textiles dumps everywhere, and we have to transform how our text textile waste is being managed because this is one of the most you know huge opportunities that we have growing right now. So how are we doing? That's why we're seeing like the thrift markets coming back up, people reusing, people modifying. Europe's transforming it, so they say you can't burn clothing anymore. So what are we doing with it, and how are we transforming it as a society to make it better? Because we know how to do this better. We all know how to make clothing a better thing. We just have to make a quick shift in our consciousness, in our mind, in our body, to feel how we can transform this industry, and then work together to, you know, clean it up.

Stuart Murray 29:53

So, Lennard, if somebody were to walk by your studio on Sherbrooke, what would they? See outside your studio.

Lennard Taylor 30:02

There are large sculptures. There are heart-shaped sculptures. There are workspaces and picnic tables for workshops to happen on Saturdays. You see markets happening with local community and makers. It's a it is an exciting hive of creativity, which is what drew you in. You're at the coffee shop across the street, and then you came in, and you're like, "Whoa, what's this hive of creativity that's happening here? And that's what I'm developing here at the Sherbrooke Street Market: is that hive of creativity, that energy, that flow. And then you step in through the door, and you can smell fresh flowers that you can get seven days a week. You see beautiful works of art, sculptures, clothing, all sorts of fun stuff in the store. You see sewing machines. You see yourself in a better life, in a better energy, in a better feeling because you're in this cozy space. It's like I I describe it and I've I've felt it from many people say it's like coming home. It's easy. It's comfortable, and that's that's kind of what my team and I are are putting together here. Yeah, it's it's just quite rewarding. I feel very grateful that I get to do it.

Stuart Murray 31:15

So one of the things that that draw drew my attention, Lennard, to the outside was. It appeared that you had what I would call sculptures. Yeah. What? What? What are those sculptures?

Lennard Taylor 31:27

So I have a massive wall of nine sculptures that are four feet by eight feet, and they are made from textile waste, and their bodies crawling out of the walls. Their people. They symbolize the people who are stuck in this industry. The people have lost their lives. To really give that consciousness to people of like, whoa, what are we doing with this industry? Right. Like it's kind of that like gut punch of reality. It's like, whoa, people, wake up. You know, you see it, and you're kind of like, ah, ah. You feel you feel it, and what I'm building out next is the transformational tunnel that you'll go through, and then you come into the love that is created, and how you transform your wardrobe, how we guide you, and and feel the loving coziness that we create by surrounding garments around your body that really enhance your body, your being, who you are. So it's it's it's this whole revolutionary kind of experience of how we fundamentally feel it to the core of our being, and then we build from there, and we fix the processes, we fix the the feeling, the fatigue of what am I wearing today, because we all deserve to feel amazing in what we're putting on our body, and that's where we start. That's where we do and and create from that that space. So that's what you see when you you're you come by.

Stuart Murray 32:57

Yeah, and one of the things just to to share with the listeners that you and I talked about when I was in your store was if you have say I don't know an old pair of jeans is a tough one right because I mean jeans are just such a beautiful product to wear no matter how sort of worn out they are but if somebody was saying you know I I just don't think I have any use for this I think I need to discard them and as you said, the you know the planet is full of of dumps of fashion of just tremendous number of clothing that just sits in in deserts and it's just there and it's out of sight, out of mind as the usual thing. But I think one of the things you mentioned to me is let let's take some clothing and create a sculpture.

Lennard Taylor 33:38

100%

Stuart Murray 33:39

So talk a little bit about that.

Lennard Taylor 33:41

Let's create a sculpture for you that symbolizes your life, your body, your being, where you've gone, what you've done. We all have these garments that we absolutely love, but we're never going to wear them again. And they've they've lived their life. You know, they're they're threadbare, or they have so much packed moments of excellence infused within the seams of the garment, the memories. So I'm saying, let's make that into a sculpture. Let's like let's make that into something that you can have in your home, that you can put on your wall, that you can have that memory always around you. So what about someone who's passed? What what can I take their garments and make it into a sculpture that I can have in my home, reminding me of their cherished life. You know, I'd love to someday see it as a full actual cemetery. You know, I'd love to go to a cemetery where all these sculptures are are people's possessions, their things, their like representations of who they are, rather than this, you know, slab of stone that has nothing to speak about who we are as a human, what we stood for, what we believed in, taking that pair of jeans can be that, right? We can make it into a sculpture like these these ones here, or we can make it into maybe a little bag. Maybe we can make. It into a little pillow. Maybe we can cut up all the little pieces that we make from making it into a pillow or a bag, and then we stuff it in there and create, you know, the stuffing for the pillow. Or do we make a little like eye mask out of it? Like, how are we using this thing? Or we turn it into a canvas that you use and paint over top of to recall the experience. You can maybe write it or draw pictures on it or something. So you've got this living canvas, this documentation of your life where you've been. I think it's a rewarding opportunity. I think it's a you owe it to yourself to put on an outfit every day that makes you let lights you up, and at the end of that garment's life, when it's no longer used, how do you how you loving it, or who are you passing it off to that can make it into something usable? Because we have to understand how to make it a zero waste experience, and that's what I've spent my career building out: is the processes and the things to utilize all of the garments, the morsels, the tiny little things. I've even at times professionally ground down all the fibers into a puff, into a power fill that we can put into a jacket, into a like I think a down vest, but it's actually made of textile waste, so it's heavy. It's comfortable. You can make it into a weighted blanket. There's so many different processes that you can do. Or what if we built building blocks? You know, we had a huge drug crisis that's happening right now. I would love to see somebody with mega bucks say, "Okay, let's put the processes together to make the bricks, and we can make homes. We can make shelters for these people that are less fortunate that have nowhere else to go. We have all these these things that we can do. It's a matter of just like coming together as a people, as a society, as a community, and and doing it. You know, and I'm happy to facilitate and to help educate and support the process to happen, but I need the help of the people, the listener right here, to help me help you. You know, let's work together.

Stuart Murray 37:09

Lenard, you travel internationally. You mentioned zero waste. Is there any place that you say, man, I was in this city, this country, this community, this whatever that they've got it going on. They understand zero waste, and there's a lot that we can take from them and bring back to our community.

Lennard Taylor 37:26

Oh, where to start on that one? You know, you can look at indigenous communities from around the world. We can look at different brands, different companies. There's a lot of people doing a lot of amazing things out there. Fab Bricks is making these amazing fabric bricks and stuff like that. So there's there's all sorts of different places and and things and and and opportunities for people to grow.

Stuart Murray 37:54

It's such an important part of what it is that you and you're you're doing in this industry, and it really sort of fights back on this fast fashion that everybody just sort of feels, man. I got. I need the latest fashion, or I need the latest this, or I need the latest that. And so then they discard what they don't have because they change it out. And you know, you're very much of that. That zero waste is is really kind of what makes you go. And it's the opposite of what I just explained. It's not. It's about about preserving. It's about saving. It's about creating a place for memories. You know, using clothes to create memories. I think one of the things I was going to ask you, Lenard, was when you first started making clothing. When do you decide that I'm not even going to make clothing, but I'm an artist, and I'm going to use this clothing as a canvas, and so I'm going to put something on it. And I see a piece behind you that is is is a beautiful piece. But if if I were to say Lennard, I would love to have a piece of clothing, and I know you're going to put some art on it. What would you say to somebody that said, I want the art piece to signal human rights.

Lennard Taylor 39:04

The bloodline, the bloodline signature for my garments. I put it on a lot of my garments. You can see that there if you're watching this on video. The bloodline is a red stripe that I put on the back of a garment, and it is a symbol that it doesn't matter what color skin you are, what language you speak. You bleed the same blood as everybody else. We're one race, the human race. So that's like a symbol of humanity, of of connection, of example of our loving coziness that we feel for our neighbors, for our our friends, our brothers, our sisters that are around us. It's it's truly fortunate that we are alive every day, and so the bloodline signature is is is that, which is why I've also said to people like, if you want bloodline on a garment that's not mine, I'll happily send you a red ribbon. So get in touch, you know, LenardTaylor.com. Join my email list 100% because that's like when you things are. Happening, you're you're hearing about it. Yeah, I just I just want to help support and facilitate people's personal well-being, their growth with you know different ways of saying like, hey, I'm a human. I like to dress in things that make me feel really great, and I like to support those around me to feel that that that intensity, that that radiance, that vibration, that that wonderful well feelings of of of us as humans.

Stuart Murray 40:27

You you've created this community marketplace, and you know you're teaching people, you're sharing, you're doing all the kinds of things that I think you know is such a wonderful experience for those that that know you. I mean, a lot of people know you. When I mentioned I was doing this podcast with Lennard, dear, oh, I know Lennard, and I've got some of his stuff and all that stuff. So you know, which is really fantastic, Lennard. I've got two questions before we we hit the off ramp here. Number one is, you know, why is community important? Why is community so important to you? As a you're a father now. You're an entrepreneur. You're an artist. You're a storyteller. You've got all of those elements. Why is community so important to you?

Lennard Taylor 41:07

Because I love to surround myself with happiness and joy, love and experience. You know, seeing a beautiful view by yourself is sad. Seeing it with a group of community, with people that you love and increasing the happiness that everybody's feeling around you really does shape your life in a in a positive way. So community is that for me. It's like I love when someone comes through the door and I get to wrap them in a hug and maybe wrap them in some clothing if they feel or wrap their walls, or their homes, their their businesses, their their community spaces with sculptures and art and things that you know enhance that community, that sense of like, hey, I'm part of this happiness and growth. So that's like my you know my biggest joy is to make sculptures that question that that enhance, that allow people to have community conversations about what's happening. I love creating that spark. You know, one of the coolest stories I think I've ever had was one woman was wearing one of my hand-painted shirts in Barcelona, of all places. Another woman from a different city happened to be in Barcelona and saw the shirt and said, "Hey, is that a Lennard Taylor? Now they're friends because of the shirt. Like it's like what that community, that wellness. You know, a client of mine, Barb, she she she called it spotting a Brenda in the wild because she said as soon as someone's wearing one of your iconic Brenda swing shirts, I see it immediately. No matter what room I'm in, I'm like, whoa, that's a Brenda spotting a Brenda in the wild. And a lot of the times, it the the person who is wearing that shirt is very like minded. They feel the same. They're that energy of you because you're wearing it, they're wearing it, and it's that supportive community. I would love for someone to see someone walking down the street with the bloodline and be like, "Oh, blood! I see a bloodline. I'm gonna see if they need a ride home. You know how amazing would that be? That's that's why community matters. That's why supporting community matters is because I love to help people grow. I love to help people smile and feel joy and love and joie de vivre, all the good wellness of of being alive today. So

Stuart Murray 43:24

yeah, yeah. You know, I just I knew that this would be just a a great conversation, Lenard, because of you, because of who you are, because of what you believe and what you are doing for our community. I think one of the things I just always ask some of my my guests last kind of comment to you. But if when you agreed to do this podcast, which I'm very very grateful, thank you so much. Is there in the back of your mind saying, you know, I hope he asks me about this, or there's one question I hope he might ask me that maybe I haven't touched on. Is there something you want to share with any of your listeners that I haven't asked you about?

Lennard Taylor 44:03

Honestly, I think you've asked amazing questions that have lit me up. I know my whole body right now is is hot and sweating and and feels really good and and feels really positive and radiant. So I want to thank you for asking such wonderful questions and to the listener out there, I just say get in touch. Let me know how I can support and facilitate your well-being, your your personal wellness with the clothing that you wear. I make dressing easier. It's like it's second nature to me. I look at you and I go this, this, this, and this, and this. This will all look good on you. And if it doesn't, I'll tell you. And that's what I do for people. I just transform your life that you can have that peace of mind with whatever you're wearing. You know, whether it's through my rental programs, whether it's through my used thrifted pieces, whether it's through my brand new pieces, whether it's through my custom pieces, my custom coats, all of these different things that I my. And I create together is to support your personal wellness, your your body, your being, and help you you know help you really understand to help educate you on how to dress yourself, the colors, the complexions, the styles, the the things to pair together. That's what I love to do for you. I love to just make it easy. Yeah, the listener out there, get in touch. Let me know how I can help educate. Whether it's you know the painting, the clothing, the art, you know your personal wellness. I just want to make people smile and feel good. That's why I'm on the earth, and that's the community that I want to surround myself in every day.

Stuart Murray 45:34

Fantastic! Great way to to to sort of end this wonderful conversation, Lennard Taylor. Thank you so much for joining me on Humans on Rights.

Lennard Taylor 45:42

Thank you so much for having me. And again, one more time, it's LennardTaylor.com. L-E-double-N-A-R-D-T-A-Y-L-O-R.com.

Matt Cundill 45:51

Thanks for listening to Humans on Rights. A transcript of this episode is available by clicking the link in the show notes of this episode. Humans on Rights is recorded and hosted by Stuart Murray. Social media marketing by Buffy Davy. Music by Doug Edmond. For more, go to humanrightsub.ca.

Tara Sands (Voiceover) 46:12

Produced and distributed by the Sound Off Media Company.