Should I buy from this company? Is it really worth putting the effort in? Am I doing enough?
These are the questions that we often stumble across when a social issue summons us to change our thinking and daily habits. Fashion sustainability especially permits these questions in a pressurized manner that can be hard to ignore every time you wear the pair of jeans you bought from Topshop last summer. As an individual, buying clothes with sustainability in mind can be a hard task that encompasses a lot of negotiation between what we can afford and what is right for the environment. I interviewed Tara Chandra about this and uncovered her approach to sustainability and the story behind her closet that mainly consists of second hand clothing.
Whilst studying at university, Tara also manages to entertain 20,000 followers daily with content centred around fashion, beauty and social issues. Fashion sustainability is one of these issues featured through out her social media channels and is something she makes the effort to practice, explaining:
95% of the clothing I purchase is second hand as I actively try to stay away from fast fashion purchases. Most of my clothes are purchased at Glebe Markets and op shops – which offers both a unique range of clothing and at cheaper, more affordable prices. As we recycle clothing between buyers and sellers of second-hand clothing – we are minimising our consumption of new materials which are far too often made in sweatshops where workers are underpaid in unsafe working conditions. Additionally, cut-offs from the production process, dyes, and other materials heavily pollute the environment, creating an unsustainable and unethical production process. Another means of ensuring I curate a wardrobe that is as ethical as possible is by supporting small businesses that hand-make or closely know their production line.
Although she stated that she doesn’t believe in astrology, she did identify with the traits of a Capricorn (the star sign she’d be assigned to based on her birthday). According to various astrology websites, a Capricorn is described as a hard-working, responsible and disciplined individual that is able to make significant progress in both their professional and personal lives. Despite whatever your belief in astrology is, I thought this was important to mention as it gives a good explanation of Tara. If you look at her Instagram @tarachandra_, you’ll notice her hard-work and determination to create meaningful content. This hard work is also evident through her creative attempt at sustainability by making her own clothing.
Last year Tara turned up to fashion week in a denim jacket that looked like it had been designed in New York by an edgy label that only edgy people knew about. However, I repeatedly learned this was incorrect when she explained to the multiple individuals asking about it that she had made it herself. Still intrigued by it a year later I thought I’d ask about the jacket and if she recommends others learn how to make clothes for the purpose of sustainability. Her response:
My denim jacket was made out of 2 pairs of second-hand jeans I bought at Vinnies. Recycling old denim and materials is an awesome way to spice up an otherwise basic piece of clothing by creating something completely new! I definitely recommend learning/ experimenting with making your own clothes!
In one of Tara’s Instagram posts, she made the point of mentioning she had worn a certain outfit a lot that week. Although unintentional, Tara pointing out her own outfit repeating on Instagram is beneficial to the sustainability cause as it creates an environment where outfit repeating is respected for limiting consumption. Last year, Clara Vuletich gave a Tedx Talk about fashion sustainability and discussed our increased consumption of clothing. Something that stuck out to me the most from this talk was that we have 4 times the amount of clothes in our wardrobes than our parents. I think part of the problem is our desire to constantly have a new outfit and fast fashion brands are simply taking advantage of this. I suggested this to Tara and she agreed, saying:
I’ve never actually thought about that – but now that you have pointed it out, yes!! We must consume less and look at the copious amount of things we already have. I always think it’s stupid when people buy something, wear it once, then get rid of it. It’s a waste of money and bad for the environment (unless you’re passing it onto someone else)! Sometimes it’s not all about the look (however much we wish it was).
Although they aren’t to blame for unethical practices, bloggers endorsing certain brands aren’t necessarily helping the situation. Last year, Tara revealed to her followers that she’d no longer work with certain brands based on their lack of focus on fashion sustainability or unethical practices. For Tara this was a scary moment for her when she publicly announced it, explaining:
Publicly announcing means that I am now held accountable to my words and actions. It has motivated me to overcome selfishness, greed and consumerism by having these standards for myself. In saying that, I am not completely ethical, and sometimes I do choose to work with brands which potentially participate in unethical practices. However, ethical fashion is a movement, and so far I’ve made a movement to be as ethical as I can be right now. There’s still room to grow, but I think I’ve done well.
That last point she made in her answer above about feeling accomplished with her efforts despite not being perfect is an important point to keep in mind. Whilst sustainability is important and something we should focus on, each individuals story with sustainability is different. Everyone has limitations that permit imperfections. Furthermore, living a sustainable lifestyle isn’t always cheap either. Whilst I adore companies like The Reformation embedding sustainability throughout their operations, this can often result in a more expensive product that can only be afforded by privileged individuals. Tara agrees with this sentiment but also suggests ways to get around this, pointing out:
Yes, and no! I think there are many options for everyone in terms of monetary accessibility to ethical fashion – for example, op shops and markets tend to have cheaper options. However, vintage stores which hand-pick ‘good’ branded pieces (often from op shops which were established to aid those who do not have the same monetary privilege as a lot of us) and hike up second hand clothing prices to make a profit, develops that sense of inaccessibility.
Whilst her attempt at addressing sustainability isn’t as grand as an Elon Musk idea (no offense Tara), there is a really beautiful narrative to individuals such as herself informing others of the little things we can do to help the environment. Lastly, Tara making clothes out of recycled clothing reminds us that wearing sustainable clothing doesn’t require money, just a little bit of creativity.
All photo’s belong to the author of this blog post.
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