EcoLux☆Lifestyle: Suzette Hernandez: Embracing Minimalism in a Luxury World

EcoLux☆Lifestyle: Suzette Hernandez: Embracing Minimalism in a Luxury World

Through hard work and diligence, Suzette Hernandez has experienced a remarkable transition from retail worker to being crowned Miss Canada 2013, graduating with honours from UBC Sauder in 2014 to a career in marketing for two of the world’s top luxury brands – De Beers diamonds and Hublot watches.

Suzette was born in a barangay (village) on the coast of Balayan Bay in the Philippines. She was very young when her family moved to Canada and settled in East Vancouver. Always a dedicated student and hard worker, after graduation she held multiple jobs. At one point simultaneously working part-time for a marketing company, two retail stores, modeling, and attending college!

Suzette Aquino Hernandez, Spotlight, Turnabout Luxury Resale, Helen Siwak, EcoLuxLuv, Vancouver, BC, Vancity, BC, 604, de beers, hublot, diamonds, philippines, modeling, sustainable living, minimalist,

Suzette Aquino Hernandez, Spotlight, Turnabout Luxury Resale, Helen Siwak, EcoLuxLuv, Vancouver, BC, Vancity, BC, 604, de beers, hublot, diamonds, philippines, modeling, sustainable living, minimalist,

As a woman who loves nature and wide open spaces, she is drawn to the Seawall at Stanley Park where she walks, bikes, and rollerblades next to the rolling waves, and to Spanish Banks where she loves playing beach volleyball.

In today’s cultural atmosphere of social media fame and the pursuit of personal glory, Suzette finds herself embracing minimalism as a lifestyle choice and extends this philosophy to her wardrobe, which consists of key pieces by luxury brands known for longevity, style, and elegance.

Can you tell us about others aspects of your day-to-day routine that you have modified to be more sustainable?

For me, it is making little changes that add up, like walking more and driving less, recycling, even choosing cold water over hot on laundry days. I like the idea of embracing minimalism these days, where the focus is on quality over quantity. Living on the west coast makes being more environmentally conscious easy because the people in our lives are so aware and supportive. The movement to address the use of plastic is encouraging, particularly single use when shopping I find myself actively opting to go for foods with less packaging.

Suzette Aquino Hernandez, Spotlight, Turnabout Luxury Resale, Helen Siwak, EcoLuxLuv, Vancouver, BC, Vancity, BC, 604, de beers, hublot, diamonds, philippines, modeling, sustainable living, minimalist,

What are your thoughts on garment sustainability, especially as it pertains to your high-profile career?

Well, although my pageant days are behind me, I do have a closet of beautiful gowns that I continue to wear to charity fund-raisers and important work events. They are very well-made, and the investment in them was well worth it.

For my work-out wear and everyday clothing, I purchase items that are created with natural high-quality fabrics and materials which are versatile and easy to care for. Having quality garments is very important to me as it reflects who I am as a person. In a single-use disposable world that has dire consequences for the environment, we all need to focus on well-made, beautiful products rather than disposable fast fashion.

Suzette Aquino Hernandez, Spotlight, Turnabout Luxury Resale, Helen Siwak, EcoLuxLuv, Vancouver, BC, Vancity, BC, 604, de beers, hublot, diamonds, philippines, modeling, sustainable living, minimalist,
Suzette at the United Filipino Canadian Association 119th Independence Day celebrations.

 

(This article was originally commissioned, and published by Turnabout Luxury Resale)

Author Profile

Helen Siwak - EcoFriendly Lifestyle Consultant
Helen Siwak - EcoFriendly Lifestyle Consultant
Helen Siwak is the founder of EcoLuxLuv Marketing & Communications Inc and publisher of Folio.YVR Luxury Lifestyle Magazine and digital women's lifestyle magazine EcoLuxLifestyle.co. She is a prolific content creator, consultant, and marketing and media strategist within the ecoluxury lifestyle niche. Post-pandemic, she has worked with many small to mid-sized plant-based/vegan brands to build their digital foundations and strategize content creation and business development. Helen is the west coast correspondent to Canada’s top-read industry magazine Retail-Insider, holds a vast freelance portfolio, and consults with many of the world’s luxury heritage brands. Always seeking new opportunities and challenges, you can email her at helen@ecoluxluv.com.
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