In our latest entry in the Create Your Own Vision series, where we interview the visionaries and creators in the communities which we operate in, we got in touch Brittney Peters, designer & owner of Flopsy Life, an online boutique. Working with botanical dyes & natural textiles, her garments & home goods are simple yet special, inviting you to follow your heart as you style your life. She weaves together sensuality & functionality to create treasures that inspire creativity & presence in celebration of the everyday moments that make life magic.
You can find her creations at flopsylife.com. There, you'll also find information on where you can shop locally, reflections on personal style & wholehearted living, & can sign up for moonlit musings, her monthly newsletter.
- What inspired you to create Flopsy Life, and how did your journey into sustainable design begin?
This journey has embodied what a Flopsy Life means. I followed my heart, trusting how the process would unfold even if I felt unsure how. I’ve always been interested in helping folks feel good, & repeatedly found myself returning to personal style. It’s simple yet profound, creative & grounding, & makes the world more beautiful (especially when done sustainably).
Everything I do today started as something I was curious about & was doing for myself before others asked me to do it for them. I taught myself how to botanically dye when I wanted a way to give new life to stained but stunning garments. When I was pregnant & couldn't find the pieces I was dreaming of, I taught myself how to sew so I could create them.
- Your brand celebrates natural fabrics and botanical dyes—what draws you to these materials, and how do they shape your creative vision?
I love the magic of collaborating with plants to create wearable works of art, each piece as unique as the individual who wears them. There’s something so sensual about being draped in natural fabrics, the way they feel against your skin & flow with you as you move through your day. These fabrics & dyes change with you, holding your memories & weaving their way into the backdrop of your life.
- Could you describe your creative process when developing a new collection?
It always starts as a dream, something I’m craving in my wardrobe or a beloved creative friend has mentioned they’re looking for. I gather inspiration & reflect on what I’ll be doing while wearing something, how I can style it, & how it'll feel on my body throughout the day. After doing some sketches + notes, I’ll thrift fabric & begin gathering dye materials. Then begins the process of trial & error, sewing & refining the design until I’m happy with it (samples from this process end up in my wardrobe or offered in my shop). For the upcycled botanically dyed pieces, it’s very intuitive, working with each piece individually to feel what plants it wants to work with, what shade it’ll eventually become, trusting that whatever comes out of the dye pot is meant to be.
- In a world often dominated by fast fashion, what motivated you to commit to a sustainable, slow design philosophy?
I don’t know that it was a conscious decision, simply what felt aligned & right for me. There’s beauty in the slowness, in creating & styling with intention, of dreaming about what you want your life to look like, then finding the pieces that align with that vision. Garments made by hand or botanically dyed are unique; what better way to celebrate the individual beauty we each share with the world?
- Can you share a defining moment or challenge that reinforced your dedication to using natural and sustainable materials?
I’ve always loved thrifting, & there’s just so much to create with. I love the feeling of finding forgotten treasures & giving them new life. But if a fabric isn’t natural, it doesn’t feel as good on the body & can’t be botanically dyed if stained. I want what I create to feel good for the body, mind & soul, & to inspire creativity & connection; natural fabrics align with that vision.
- How do botanical dyes influence the colour palette and overall aesthetic of your collections?
Did you know that botanical dyes reflect light differently? They soothe the nervous system & connect us to nature, something I aim to do with Flopsy Life on a deeper level. Since I grow, forage, or salvage my dye materials, I work with what's available locally & seasonally. The colours I create are ones you’ll find wandering a garden or the forest, with a beautiful balance of neutrals & vibrancy.
When I’m working on samples, I’ll use neutral thrifted fabrics that’ll flow with the botanically dyed colours of the collection or a fun vintage pattern with a complimentary pop of colour I can’t create with a botanical dye - I’m loving a splash of bright cherry red right now.
- What steps do you take in sourcing materials that uphold both environmental ethics and design excellence?
Nearly everything is high quality secondhand or deadstock; I spend hours foraging in thrift stores to find the best fabrics and pieces I can. If I can’t thrift it, I try to find things locally or that are well-made & will last for years.
- What have been some unexpected challenges in building and sustaining this community, and how did you overcome them?
One challenge has been ensuring that as we grow, the club maintains the same sense of warmth and intimacy. Scaling up without losing that close-knit feel is something we’re always thinking about. We’ve tackled this by making sure every event feels intentional and by actively encouraging members to engage in smaller breakout moments within larger gatherings.
- How does the philosophy of “following your heart as you style your life” manifest in the products you create?
Each piece is simple yet special, waiting for you to put your unique spin on them & style them as your heart desires, depending on how you want to feel that day. My dream is for these treasures to turn your routines into rituals, becoming the pieces you’ll turn to when you want to feel comfortable & confident so you move through your day feeling empowered & making brave choices from a place of love.
- Could you discuss a particular design or piece that you feel best embodies the magical, transformative ethos of Flopsy Life?
I designed the Celestial Gown because I wanted a long, flowing dress without buttons that I could nurse my daughter in, & then wear for years afterwards, so it will always have a special place in my heart. Right now I’m obsessed with the wide, curved legs & oversized pockets of the Forager Trousers from the upcoming collection, especially when paired with the Poet Blouse & its dramatic puff sleeves. If I had nothing but these three pieces in my wardrobe (& maybe a good bodysuit), I would be content - they’re sensual & effortless, my dream aesthetic.
- What role does craftsmanship play in your creative process, and how do you maintain quality while embracing sustainability?
I keep it simple, making fewer things so I can devote my energy & attention to each piece & do my best work. I also surrender to the creative process, knowing things won’t always be perfect, but they will be beautiful & unique, made with love, & adored for years to come.
- How do you stay connected to nature and the changing seasons when conceptualizing new collections?
From growing to sewing to resting, flowing with the cycles & seasons of nature is at the core of everything I do. Since I grow & forage most of my dye material, I’m outside for a good portion of each day, which keeps me grounded & my heart happy. When it comes to designing collections, I want my treasures to be timeless, so you can style them in many different ways throughout the year. You don’t need a lot of things to have great personal style, just a solid foundation of versatile pieces that inspire creativity.
- Can you share an example of customer feedback or a personal experience that deeply affirmed your design approach?
When someone loves a piece so much they wear it out of my booth, I see them in it multiple times (or they buy multiples of it), or they share that it has become their favourite, my heart feels full. When designing a new collection, I also ask my friends with inspiring style for feedback to ensure I’m on the right track, especially when they’re a different size from me.
- How have collaborations and features—such as your appearance in Ollie Quinn spaces—shaped the growth of your brand?
Flopsy Life wouldn’t be what it is today without the support of others. Businesses work hard to build trust with their customers, so it’s an absolute honour when they’re willing to share what I do with them. I’ve met some stunning, spectacular souls through doing pop-ups & collaborations, & I’m so grateful to connect with folks who want to fill their lives with beauty.
- What advice would you offer to emerging designers who are passionate about merging sustainability with artistic expression?
You are magic, creating something from a vision, from a whisper of your heart. Trust yourself. Be willing to try new things, make mistakes, & learn from them before trying again. Give yourself time to find your voice, your process, your art. Be present & savour the inspiration, whether from Pinterest, people-watching or a walk outside. Have a practice that gets you out of your head & into your body so you can find clarity & stay connected to your guiding light. Create a structure that gives you discipline so your nervous system feels safe & creativity can flow.
- How do you envision Flopsy Life evolving in the coming years while staying true to its roots in natural beauty and functionality?
It’s not something I can put into words, but a feeling deep in my bones. I know if I follow my heart & trust myself, things will unfold in a way that’s right for me.
- Finally, as you continue to inspire others to savour the present moment, what legacy do you hope Flopsy Life will leave in the realms of design and sustainable living?
Garments & goods are tools to style life in a way that feels beautiful & inspiring. I hope that the more folks love themselves & their lives, they’ll make kind, intentional choices, & the ripple effects of that will gently shape our world into a place that’s caring & safe for us all.