An interview with -- Laura Kannan
A quote from Lucy Siegle that really resonated with me was “Becoming an opponent of mainstream fashion is not just about the fight- it represents a chance to reconnect with what drew you to fashion in the first place, which I am guessing had nothing to do with the enslavement of Asian women or one-size-fits-all jeggings.”
Tell us a little more about
yourself!
Well… I
am based in New Zealand (but super excited about a year full of travel to the
US, UK and India in 2016). From a young age I have loved anything fashion
related and after sewing much of my way through High School decided to complete
a Diploma of Fashion Design. I loved this so much I was crazy enough to also go
on and complete a Bachelor of Fashion Design. Shockingly all of this study
taught me next to nothing about sustainable design and ethical production of
fashion. I worked my way from dawn till dusk for minimum wage in various jobs
within the small but ever growing New Zealand Fashion industry. This was all
before realizing that many young High School students within New Zealand are no
longer interested in the design and production of clothing but would rather buy
cheap fast fashion to fulfill their want for something new. I retrained as a
High School teacher and as testing as it may be at times it’s satisfying to
know you might just be inspiring at least one young person to make a change.
Can you tell us how you got
started in your blog/Instagram?
The
first time I remember my heart skipping a beat for anything other than a tiny
kitten or fried food was when I worked as a Pattern Maker for a womenswear label
just after I had graduated, it was the job that many design students wish for
but very few get. I was to count myself truly lucky my conscious told me.
Exactly how blessed I was to work in a crammed air conditioned office for a
small but livable wage was not realized until I had to Skype one of the factory
workers in a Chinese factory our company used to produce clothing. The call was
to tell them what they had done wrong within a certain garment they had sent for
approval. Little did I know that I would discover how much we were doing wrong.
On my computer screen was a tired, petite wrinkled women trying to make sense
of my quick English. In the background was the muffled sounds of old machinery
and a dark unfamiliar smog that hung in the air quite literally of overtired,
over worked, underpaid Chinese workers who cared so very dearly about ensuing
that the pleats in this seasons new throwaway garment were in fact, exactly
2cm. My heart would skip a beat a second
time when I would see the invoices of just how much this clothing was being
sold for verses the very little that was being given to these factories to
produce it. Let’s just say I didn’t last in that job much longer.
Luckily
it’s really hard to pick just three- which means there are plenty of products
out there for purchasing.
I really love this dress by
peopletree.co.uk – possibly due to my slight obsession with cats
Grown Skincare is amazing and is
certified organic made next door in Australia
The Loyal Workshop is truly
incredible, offering women of Kolkata trapped in the sex trade a way to freedom
by offering them work. Etched into each vegetable tanned leather satchel is the
name and signature of the artisan.
What was the first step you took
to a more eco- friendly lifestyle?
Just
like going cold turkey when trying to quit smoking I knew I had to do the same with
my Fast Fashion addiction! The feeling of instant satisfaction when getting 5
garments for under $30 was soon superseded by the feelings of guilt and angst when
really deep down I knew where this was coming from and how it was being
produced, or then again did I?
I made
the decision that I would buy nothing new this year unless it was recycled, ethically
made or hand made by me. I think drawing a line in the sand really helped for
me anyway. Instead of endless hours shopping for unneeded clothing I have begun
to read some incredible new Authors who passionately write about “How fashion
is wearing out the world”- Lucy Siegle and “The shockingly high cost of cheap
fashion”- Elizabeth L. Cline. Now the hours once spent shopping are also spent
researching, blogging and connecting with other likeminded people. I have been
truly surprised by the response.
How successful has your journey
been so far on the eco-lifestyle train?
I can
honestly say I love this new lifestyle because that’s what it truly has become-
a lifestyle. It has invaded every part of my thoughts day and night. You know
you have truly for a passion for something when a stranger on a plane discovers
you blubbering, clutching a soggy book and dares to ask “Are you are ok?” and
the only response you can utter, after swallowing the large lump in your throat
is how you have just read about how many Uzbekistan cotton farmers commit
suicide each year due to debt and depression caused by the low payout for cotton
(Suffice to say I don’t think she was expecting that response).
You said in your first post that
you were a fast fashion junkie- I think many of our readers would agree that
they area as well (I know I used to be). How has your transition been to slow
fashion? Where do you shop now or how has your shopping habits changed?
I feel
this is the real journey. It takes a lot of effort and resources to
continuously find out where each garment you purchase is designed and produced
and unsurprisingly many companies make this pretty hard to find out. For the
first few months of my fast fashion free journey I shopped at Thrift stores (or
my existing exploding wardrobe) and would take the time to alter each piece
according to the latest trend. Sadly many Thrift store are overwhelmed by the
mass amount of fast fashion that gets thrown their way, it became a real
mission to find clothing that was actually made to last amongst last month’s
pilled and worn (probably only a few times) clothing. As time has passed I feel my direction and
view of ‘sustainable fashion’ is changing and now I am more interested in
minimizing my wardrobe all together and investing in key pieces that are
eco-friendly and made to last. This area really is a journey and has impacted
much more than just the amount of clothing I have in my wardrobe. Why work at a
job that you don’t really enjoy, to buy stuff you don’t really need to fill a
home that is already overflowing.
What message would you like to
leave with our readers about making the switch to a more eco friendly life
style or business?
I think
it can be summed up in the wise old words many mothers have said “Treat others
the way you would like to be treated” this could come in many forms and can be
as simple as beginning to ask where does my clothing/ food/ appliances etc.
come from, doing your own research into eco- friendly options, supporting
businesses and organizations that are trying to make the change or going the
full hog and drawing a line in the sand and saying enough is enough.
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