︎ Some Things Never Change
This drawing from my early childhood reminds me that my longest-standing passion has been fashion. Since I could hold a pencil, I’ve imagined myself wearing clothes of my own creation. Much to my mother’s horror, this led to a relentless obsession with cutting and dying my clothes throughout my adolescence. This was a chaotic way of experimenting which often led to giant messes and destroyed t-shirts, jackets, jeans, shoes...
My dream of being a fashion designer seems silly now, but some of this spirit has followed me into adulthood. To this day I still wear spraypainted leather jackets, ripped shirts, and sneakers covered in drawings. It is no surprise that my favorite pieces are ones that I’ve personally reconfigured to better suit my tastes.
︎ Thrift Shopping
Before thrifting became popularized by generation Z, I was drawn to this way of shopping due to its affordability and endless possibilities. For over a decade, I’ve been an avid thrift shopper. In fact, my first job at fifteen was marking inventory at a consignment store near my house.
︎ Fast Forward to Fast Fashion
In recent years, consumers have woken up to the fact that textile and garment industries are instrumental drivers of climate change and exploitation across the world. Often referred to as ‘fast fashion,’ this critique of capitalism highlights how the production of clothes pollutes the environment while utilizing inhumane labor practices to maximize profits. Science is showing that both producing and purchasing new clothing is unethical. To raise social awareness of these issues, I stopped buying new clothes about a year ago, and I encourage everyone to abandon this costly practice.
︎ Sustainability Meets Craft
︎ Fast Forward to Fast Fashion
In recent years, consumers have woken up to the fact that textile and garment industries are instrumental drivers of climate change and exploitation across the world. Often referred to as ‘fast fashion,’ this critique of capitalism highlights how the production of clothes pollutes the environment while utilizing inhumane labor practices to maximize profits. Science is showing that both producing and purchasing new clothing is unethical. To raise social awareness of these issues, I stopped buying new clothes about a year ago, and I encourage everyone to abandon this costly practice.
︎ Sustainability Meets Craft
My goal is to build on what I have, committed to the belief that I already have everything I need to create a beautiful, lasting wardrobe. As I distance myself further from wasteful consumption, I intend to amplify the creativity of my look with resources I already own. In the upcoming winter months I will be experimenting more with painting, embroidering, and sewing directly onto my clothes to transform everyday looks into personal statements, very much returning to the image of myself that I fantasized about as a child. In 2020 I am publishing a ‘lookbook’ inspired zine of these creations with further reflections on what it means to fight consumerism on an individual basis.