FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Production

Where are hijulez items produced? 

All items are made in Vancouver, BC by Julie and her team of local artists! When you buy from hijulez, you are supporting young, talented creatives who are bringing fresh ideas to the apparel world, while respecting the environment. 

 

How was my item dyed?

It was dyed by hand by Julie, using natural dyes. Our natural dyes are found from plants, insects, fruits, purchased from sustainable stores or created from botanicals in Julie’s backyard. To learn more about natural dyeing, read the blog posts “Exploring Natural Dyes.” To see what an item was dyed with, look in the description of each product! Synthetic dyes are created in a chemical, industrial process, which is often toxic to the environment at all stages of the product’s lifecycle. Natural dyes are developed purely from nature. 


Can I buy your stuff in a store?

Please see our Stockist page. If there is a brick & mortar store or sustainable collective that you’d love to see hijulez in, let us know through our Contact Form, located on the bottom of the home page


What are hijulez items made out of?

All items are made from fabrics sourced in the most sustainable way… Shopping second hand! We rely on thrift stores, yard sales, recycling companies and community donations for the quantity of fabric we need for various projects. For sensitive items like intimate garments, deadstock fabric is sourced from Fabcycle. When thrifting, it can be difficult to find large amounts of one type of fabric. That’s why our best items are so often one-of-a-kind! 


Is shopping with hijulez safe during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Hearing that our fabric is sourced from thrift stores may have you concerned. Worry not! All natural dyeing requires boiling garments in dye baths, and every item is washed before being packaged and mailed to you. Furthermore, items like face masks and intimate garments are always made with new, responsibly sourced deadstock fabric that has not been previously worn. At hijulez, we follow all mask wearing and social distancing protocols recommended by public health authorities, and the studio receives regular deep cleanings. We are a small business and only Julie or one of our staff ever touch your item before it arrives at your door.


Can you make a one-of-a-kind item for me?

Absolutely, we can! We believe clothing should be made to fit you, not the other way around. To get started, book an appointment to talk with Julie about what you’re looking for. You can get a custom dye makeover for a loved piece of clothing, or request one of our designs in a different size or fabric of your choice. 


Item Care

How do I wash my hijulez item?

In order to maintain the quality and colour of your hijulez items, we recommend washing all garments on a gentle cycle, or by hand, using cold water. If there is a stain or a certain spot you want to target, spot clean it with a small dab of soda water instead of washing the whole garment! Avoid using the dryer and lay your item flat to dry this helps preserve the fabric and will keep your item looking fresh for longer. Try and use plant-based laundry detergent if it’s available to you, for better results.


It’s been a while, and my item doesn’t look the way that it used to! What happened?

Natural dyes are amazing. They have a lifespan of their own, as they are made from nature. With time, your item may evolve in colour. At hijulez, we love this exciting process as it teaches us about how everything living breathes and changes. If, for some reason you are not happy with the evolution of your item, we are more than happy to re-dye it.


Can I get my item redyed or resewn?

Absolutely! You can send your item(s) back to hijulez in Vancouver, and Julie will re-dye it for you at no extra cost. Through this guaranteed re-dyeing program, we promise to refresh your item so you can continue to wear it for years to come. This extends the item’s lifecycle with no extra damage to the environment. 


I washed my item and the colour began to fade… is this normal?

Yes, absolutely! Each item is pre-washed to ensure quality and colour fastness, however, some pieces may bleed colour during a wash. To maintain your item for the long term, ensure that you wash with cold water, not hot water, as hot water can be too strong for the item. Wash by hand, in cold water, with a small amount of soda water or mild soap (plant-based soap is effective), then lay flat to dry.


Returns and Exchanges 

Can I return/exchange items?

We understand that it’s not always meant to be! If you would like to make an exchange or return, please email us at julie@hijulez.com and we will be happy to assist you. Please note all returns and exchanges must be in the same condition you received them in. All items must not be worn, washed or damaged. All original tags must be attached. You can also request alterations or request a new dye, for a fee, and make it your own!

 

Returns 

If for any reason you aren’t 100% happy with your purchase, you may request to return your items for a store credit.This request must be made within 14 days from the delivery date. For hygiene reasons, intimate garments, swimwear bottoms, swimwear one pieces (with the exception of swimwear bralettes), are final sale. 


Exchanges

Because we are a small company, we ask you to double check your measurements before ordering an item to make sure you’re ordering the right size. With that being said, we allow exchanges to be made within 14 days of the delivery date. If you would like to make a return or exchange, please send us an email at julie@hijulez.com with details to help us proceed with your return as quickly and easy for you as possible.


What if my item is damaged or defective when received? 

We take good care of every item that we ship to our customers. However, if one of our items happens to be defective or broken upon receiving, please contact us as soon as possible. Please let us know within 7 days of receiving the package. Once we receive the package, we will exchange as quickly as possible without any fees. If the item was one-of-a-kind, or the item is out of stock, we will refund you the same way that you paid.


Orders and Shipping 

How long will it take to ship my order? 

Orders are usually processed and shipped within 3 days of initial order. If you order on a weekend, your order will be processed the next business day.

 

Has my order been accepted? 

Once your order has been placed, you will receive a confirmation of your purchase. If for some reason we are not able to accept your order, you will be notified via email.


Is it possible to track my order?

Yes! All orders are sent with a tracking code. Once your order has been shipped you will receive an email with your code, and instructions on how to follow your item’s shipping progress.

 

Do you have international shipping? 

We can ship anywhere in the world, and we accept payment in CDN, USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, DKK, HK, and JPY! If have any questions or specific delivery instructions, after submitting your order, let us know through our Contact Form, located on the bottom of the home page