Last Shot Apparel
Giving Apparel One Last Shot
Cover Photo by Cristine Enero on Unsplash
Meet Briggs Gibbins — professional dancer, yoga instructor, artist, fashion sustainability student, and the heart behind Last Shot Apparel.
Her career in dance has brought her to corners far and wide globally, from Paris, to Las Vegas, and plenty in between. However, growing up in the world of dance competitions, basketball tournaments, and soccer camps, she’s seen firsthand the crippling effects of textile waste and overproduction. Countless performances exposed her to dressing rooms cluttered with one-wear costumes, customized team shirts, and seasonal apparel, that would either end up at the back of a closet, or in the waste bin. In this case, one dancer’s trash was another’s treasure, stirring Briggs to found Last Shot Apparel, a gem hidden among sustainable brands in Edmonton. On a mission to reduce textile waste, Last Shot Apparel uses deadstock material to manufacture promotional apparel for events, clubs, programs, and beyond.
Inspiration and Influences
Briggs reminisces her early childhood days with us, recalling burning the midnight oil and pairing outfits as she explored her personal style. Growing up in harder times, she recalls her “back to school” shopping trips at goodwill, and feeling ashamed of her thrifted clothing. However, Briggs also credits part of her success to her resourceful and eclectic style:
“Beyond my dance ability, I was remembered for my shaved hair and eccentric costumes. My unique (and questionable style) allowed me to stand out at competitions. In a way, my success at dance competitions discounted the bullying that happened at school. I grew thick skin and an insatiable desire to continue proving to everyone that my unorthodox style was my greatest asset.”
After graduation, Briggs eventually went on to join Team Canada’s National Hip Hop team, launching her successful career as a professional dancer. From cruise ships to live cabarets, Netflix and Disney+ series to national commercials, music videos to modeling, she finally started to see her dreams come true. Little did she know, fashion had yet to make a key appearance back in her life.
First Shot at Last Shot Apparel
Briggs was first gripped with the idea of Last Shot Apparel after a lasting impression left from an ABC News (Australia) documentary on the fast fashion crisis.
“I had anticipated that my career as a performer was going to be enough for me. I didn’t realize my lack of ability to sit back while others were devoting their time and energy on building a healthier, happier and safer world.”
Before founding Last Shot Apparel, Briggs spent her early days neck-deep in months of research, travelling to multiple countries in search of a manufacturer with a solution to textile overproduction, only to find that no such manufacturer existed.
“ I would cold call and write to fabric manufacturers around the world inquiring about the process of recycling fabric into new fabric and was often laughed at. The challenge lies in the fabric composition.”
For fabrics to be broken down, stripped back to their original makeup, and recycled into new material, they must be 100% pure and unadulterated from other synthetic materials. For instance — denim, originally known to have a pure cotton composition, is now frequently blended with elastane and polyester, and heavily dyed with toxic chemicals. The technology to help break down these fabrics hasn’t surfaced yet, which encouraged Briggs to do what she could, right now.
“Our planet couldn’t wait any longer; I knew I needed to launch Last Shot Apparel.”
When people receive branded t-shirts for sporting events, volunteer gigs, or trade shows, the items are typically worn 2-4 times before being donated. As you can guess, these pieces aren’t exactly flying off the shelves, earning them a one-way ticket to landfills, and contributing to a high percentage of overall waste.
Beginning as a vintage reworking brand in 2017, Last Shot Apparel has since evolved to be an eco-friendly alternative to fast fashion. The brand was formed to combat the idea that deadstock fabric marks the end of the clothing lifecycle. If given one last shot, these clothes could be recycled into quality apparel that anyone would feel proud to wear.
What Goes On Backstage
Working with deadstock material has presented challenges of its own, from finding and securing deadstock fabric suppliers to establishing connections in the industry. Through her persistence, kindness, and commitment to their mission, Briggs has transformed Last Shot Apparel into one of Western Canada's top clients for purchasing deadstock fabric. For every t-shirt produced, Last Shot Apparel is able to save 2 pounds of fabric from ending up in a landfill.
The fashion industry is the second largest polluter globally, second only to oil. With the launch of Last Shot Apparel, Briggs has continued to discover the depth and importance of sustainability and ethical supply chains among brands. Research and analysis, social media, and technological advancement have all played an integral part in raising public awareness on the adverse effects of textile waste. This understanding has helped spur a movement, inspiring more consumers to turn away from major fast fashion brands daily.
Moreover, opportunities for new brands are increasing, with more sustainable, eco-friendly products on the rise. The momentum of the movement is evident with individuals like Clair Theaker-Brown, the founder of Unbelts, who Briggs admires for setting high standards on ethical and environmentally-friendly fashion in Edmonton.
Finding the Right Balance
Briggs explains that the journey to finding balance between work life and personal life, is an ongoing one.
“Although at times my schedule feels overwhelming and nearly impossible to attend to, I continue to stay humble and grounded because of my incredible partner, family and friends.”
As a professional dancer, choreographer, yoga instructor and CEO of Last Shot Apparel, Briggs believes in taking risks, while staying humble. Being grateful has not only helped to keep her grounded, but keeps her work both motivated and full of passion.
“I dream that Last Shot Apparel can be one of the leading manufacturers in the promotional apparel industry so that our planet and its people can heal from the significant damage the fashion industry has caused.”
To keep up with Briggs’ journey with Last Shot Apparel, you can visit their website at www.lastshotapparel.com, or stay in touch a few different ways:
By Blog: Something New Something Needed
On Instagram at @lastshot.apparel
Through the Edmonton Business Association and the Recycling Council of Alberta.
I am a fashion enthusiast who loves being aware about different fashion trends and have always had a classic and chique style. Over the years my fashion sense has not only evolved but has made me aware of the impact the fashion industry can have on the nature around us. With a new approach to fashion I have started to appreciate sustainable brands even more.
