5 • 17 is an ethically-made, woman-owned clothing collection that uses fashion to raise awareness about childhood eye cancer.

Two women and a little girl wearing sustainably and ethically handcrafted black sweatshirt dresses with a beaded eye pattern.

MISSION

INSPIRED BY HER DAUGHTER

Sareya gave birth to her daughter, Avanya, on May 17. Just six months later, Avanya was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood eye cancer, retinoblastoma. As an optometrist, Sareya was able to identify and diagnose the condition quickly, but what if she hadn't been an optometrist? Compelled by that question, Sareya has used her knowledge of visual perception to design clothing that attracts attention, creates conversation and spreads awareness about childhood eye cancer. As both an optometrist and a designer, Sareya carefully considers colour, contrast, refraction and reflection when selecting the beads for her collection to create the most impact.

THE STORY

VISION

ROOTED IN HER HERITAGE

As an Indo-Canadian woman, Sareya was inspired by the Indian tradition of beading, so she partnered with a third-generation family-owned manufacturer. This family and the garment workers they employ are trained in a beading technique that has been mastered over centuries by people from the region of Uttar Pradesh. Each piece in the collection is beaded, embroidered and sewn by hand on organic cotton and silk.

  • Designed in Canada
  • Made in India
  • Workers paid living wage
  • Sustainable materials
  • SEDEX Certified