Renting your wardrobe, a sustainable solution for the fashion obsessed

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Haven Hathaway from Tulerie about the benefits of renting versus buying new, and how I got into the sustainable world. I love having these chats because it’s a nice way to get the conversations flowing, beyond my inner circle, about the importance of our impact and these discussions also act as a reminder for myself to be conscious of my footprint.

Q: How and why did you start your brand, On Duty Citizen?

A: After our first Model Mafia group meetup, I thought it would be cool to have a website where everyone could access sustainable and ethical brands and learn about what made them better than a fast-fashion alternative. I began looking for courses online about sustainability. I found theFactory45 course that helps entrepreneurs learn how to start their fashion brand as sustainably as possible, and from this course, On Duty Citizenwas born. Initially, our name was Off Duty Model, On Duty Citizen (ODM/ODC), but from the inspiration of a great friend and mentor, we simplified it to On Duty Citizen so that no matter what industry you were in, you could feel a part of the environmentalist movement.

Q: What are the goals and plans for the website?

A: With anything I do in life, modeling, or my work with ODC, I never want to feel like I’ve “made it.” For instance, during COVID, I returned to school to chip away at my degree and learn more about sustainability. I believe there’s so much beauty in the journey; a lot can be discovered when you continually learn more about your craft.

That said, I’d love to continue learning more about environmentalism and sustainability and be more consistent with updating the website regularly. When I feel informed, I feel more motivated to spread awareness about the harms of climate change and share bits of optimism and joy. Modeling is my primary source of income, so it is easy to put ODC on the back burner, but I learn so much when I study more about the links between the fashion industry and our climate crises, which helps me be in a position to potentially change the industry from within. These two sides of Britt, the model and the sustainable activist are incredibly complementary to each other.

Q: What about Tulerie’s mission aligns with your sustainable practices?

A: Tulerie closes the loop on waste and gives life to products that may otherwise end up in landfills. I think renting is an incredibly innovative way to “shop” your community member’s closets, revolutionizing the entire fashion industry. Many people will buy a dress for an event and feel like they can never wear it again. While I try and shift that narrative by continually posting about how “sexy” it is to re-wear your clothes, I also think renting provides a solution to this dilemma. You can profit off your items by renting items out as well as rotating cool pieces into your rotation.

Q: What was your first experience like using our platform?

A: I was nervous! It was my first time renting, and I was going to the GQ party in LA and wanted to look sexy yet sophisticated. There were so many amazing options, and the whole process was incredibly seamless. I can understand the hesitancy with renting out special pieces, but with time, renting all our clothes will begin to feel incredibly normalized. There’s a lot of joy in knowing my pieces create new memories and stories with others in my community rather than potentially sitting in my closet for months untouched.

Q: What are some tips on how to have high fashion, style, and sustainability coexist in your daily life?

A: I love investing in sustainable basics and making my style unique by renting fun pieces for events and shopping secondhand. My style revolves around sustainable/ethical white and black tees, good denim, fun vintage jackets, and accessories. Timelessness is key, and I try and stay away from trends that will go out of style. If I like something trendy, I’ll wait a few months to a year to see if I still love it and then try to find a secondhand option instead of purchasing something new.

Q: As a model whose presence is important on social media, how have you seen social media play a part in the negative or positive impact of sustainability awareness?

A: Social media is a blessing and a curse in that you can use it as a medium to inspire those around you to adopt better habits and be conscious of their footprint. However, the pressure to stay relevant and post in new outfits all the time, as well as traveling all over the world and posting your best moments, can feel overwhelming. I try and find balance. When you follow @brittbergmeister, I want you to feel like you’re seeing all sides of Britt.

Q: How have you seen or experienced sustainability and mental health impact each other?

A: Sometimes, in the climate world, forgetting your reusable coffee mug can send you into a spiral of anxiety. On the other hand, sometimes your actions of bringing that mug can feel so small that it doesn’t feel worth the effort. Climate anxiety is a real feeling that can leave you feeling paralyzed in fear. My friend Anne Therese Gennari, a climate optimist, hosts talks on optimism within the climate space and shares the importance of taking small individual steps that will hopefully lead to a huge wave of action. While we have to hold big corporations and government officials with a lot of power accountable by protesting or voting, there is also a lot to be hopeful for. If you find yourself in a wave of anxiety, take a breath and have a moment of pause. We can’t be perfect 100% of the time, which is okay. 

Q: How does sustainability affect your lifestyle and work as a model?

A: Although I wish I could work solely for sustainable brands, I hope that by working with less sustainable brands, I can inspire them to change. I don’t believe in shaming others into action, but I think a conversation on set about how passionate I am about sustainability can go a long way. Modeling also gives me a platform with thousands of individuals, and I use this privilege to share things in the sustainable space that mean a lot to me. The sustainable journey is never-ending, and I always try and be transparent about what I’m continuing to learn, when I’ve been wrong, and how we can all improve.

Q: What do you hope the future of fashion looks like?

A: I think digital fashion is an incredibly exciting innovation in the very near future, and I hope we can rely on clean energy in this space before it’s too big an industry to adapt. I’m a big proponent of prevention versus reaction and think that with any new trend or innovation, we should look at how we can execute in the most sustainable, economical, and inclusive way.

Q: What is one thing you would say to those just starting their sustainability journey?

A: Find something in your lane that excites you and become an expert in that field. There is room for everyone in this movement, and every action counts in positively contributing to the climate change movement.

This or that?

Looking for the better option? Try these small swaps in your daily routine to help cut back on your carbon footprint and live a mindful life.

Category is: home goods

There are so many things we do in our day-to-day lives that have simply become the norm because they are our habits. These activities may seem harmless at first, but when you think about the collective impact of every person using a handful of single-use paper towels daily, the waste can add up. It may feel silly to change your habits that have become easy in your daily routines, how big of a change can one person make? However, the collective actions of us all, however big or small, add up and that ripple effect can be the change we need to create the biggest impact. The collective act of us all to switch to reusable dish cloths can shift the consumer market and that may have an incredibly powerful influence on our environment.

Here are some shifts I’ve made at home that are small, yet mighty with their positive impact.

Swedish dish cloths:
While paper towels themselves don’t have a huge impact per sheet, the detrimental impact of them as a whole can add up quickly. This can account for deforestation, global warming, and an increase of waste. Recycled paper towels are a great option but reusable is even better! Check out this article for an in-depth look at the life-cycle analysis on the paper towel.

Secondhand furniture:
Nowadays nearly all of furniture is produced overseas so in addition to the actual production processes that ontributes to deforestation, shipping globally has a huge carbon footprint. Buying secondhand locally from places like Facebook Marketplace helps reduce waste in our landfills as well as significantly reducing the distances furniture has to go to reach our homes. To reduce costs of furniture, many companies will source cheaper materials that are ultimately more susceptible to damage and harder to recycle. The EPA cites that more than 12 million tonnes of furniture were thrown out in 2018, 80% of that ending up in the landfill. Secondhand furniture is a better option both environmentally and sometimes economically as well. CNN has a great article about the detrimental aspects of the ‘fast-furniture’ market.

Hang drying clothes:
A recent study by Neil J. Lant et. al suggests dying clothes in a dryer may in fact increase microfiber pollution to the external environment. There have been extensive studies on microfiber pollution from the washing machine draining but this latest study suggested that the moist air coming out of the pipework linking the machine to a vent in an external wall is in fact polluting our air. In addition, if you’re unsure if your energy usage is coming from renewable sources, hang-drying your clothes is an easy way to significantly cutback on your household footprint.

Stasher bags:
On Tiny Waste blog, I read about how traditional zip baggies like ZipLoc have a significant impact on our environment. Firstly, they are made of plastic (made from crude oil), which generates lots of pollution as well as the fact that the product itself is not biodegradable. Because plastic bags take on average 400 years to break down, that means that none have broken down since the creation of plastic. Stasher bags are a fabulous alternative that are freezer, dishwasher, and microwave safe.

Reusable cotton rounds:
When looking to reduce your footprint at home, look for things you do daily that often create waste and see how you can find a reusable alternative. I used to rely on cotton rounds to take off my makeup, add toners and serums, however now I rely solely on the reusable alternative. The Better Goods team shared on a recent blog post that cotton requires a lot of natural resources like water to produce. A t-shirt for instance may use 20,000 L of water to make. Disposable makeup wipes may be even worse as they are made with polyester, polypropylene, cotton, wood pulp, and rayon and are not biodegradable.

The Inside Scoop on Minimalist

As a model, it’s a privilege to be able to connect with designers, sewers, and all the moving parts that go into making beautiful clothing. Tamara Davydova and I worked together years ago and kept in touch because of our shared love for sustainability. Tamara decided to create her brand Minimalist, and went steps further beyond sustainability to incorporate circularity into her business model. On a recent trip to NYC, I got to catch up with Tamara and hear all about her studies of circular fashion, what she thinks about sustainability and how she plans to evolve Minimalist. Here are some of the things we talked about below.

1) Can you tell us about your own personal journey in the fashion industry and how you ended up having your own brand?

I graduated from the Parsons School of Design with a BFA degree in Fashion Design. Over the course of my 20-year career, I led design teams and worked alongside designers including Michael Kors and Monique Lhuillier. In 2021 I launched my own ready-to-wear brand MINIMALIST -- designed with the principles of circularity.

2) Sustainability is an incredible goal, but circularity goes further. Can you tell us what this distinction means to you and how you strive to achieve circularity with Minimalist?

At MINIMALIST we design for circularity. That means using sustainable, certified materials and creating timeless,  high quality products that will last. With circularity the ultimate goal is for the garments to be fiber-to-fiber recyclable, closing the loop and eliminating landfill waste created by the fashion industry.

3) What are some of the obstacles you’ve come across by owning your own business and how do you overcome them?

I’ve been fortunate to have support and encouragement along the way from industry peers and from family. That said, there have been many challenges and learning curves on this journey. As a creative I wanted to learn more about the business side and took entrepreneurship courses to learn how to launch a startup.

4) What is one of the “dirtiest” parts of the fashion industry and how does Minimalist combat this?

We are focusing on choosing the most sustainable materials that exist today. Fabric dying and trim finishes are big polluters. At MINIMALIST we select certified materials, such as Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX, for fabrics and trims to ensure that we design out waste and pollution from the start.

5) What does transparency mean to you and why do you think this is so important?

At MINIMALIST each product has a list of “ingredients” listed to ensure our customers know what’s in each garment. When I design I carefully select each component and think of it as an “ingredient” in the same way you would want to know what’s in your food. The fewer the ingredients, and the higher quality the ingredients, the better. It’s important to raise customer awareness to be able to distinguish between greenwashing and what’s truly sustainable.

6) What are some tips you have for people looking to implement conscious habits into their daily routine?

Buy less, but better! Check your labels for ingredients and buy truly sustainable products. It can be confusing and there is a lot of greenwashing, but a little research goes a long way.

7) There’s always a bit of a debate about the prices of sustainable fashion. Oftentimes, they’re quite higher than fast-fashion because of the quality of materials, the workers’ wages, and so-forth. Can you talk about the price point for sustainable options and how you see that developing in the future?

Sustainable products can be more expensive, however the consumer's thinking needs to shift to understand that it’s better and ultimately cheaper (because it will last longer) to buy a couple of high quality products, than a bag full of fast fashion. Think farm to table vs junk food. The good news is that consumer demand for sustainable fashion is growing and this is putting pressure to drive a systemic change in the industry towards sustainability.

8) In the climate change movement, who inspires you? Do you have any favorite resources you use to learn more about sustainability?

I met so many inspiring people along the way. There is a company in NYC called Fab Scrap. They tackle textile waste in NYC. We are working with them to ensure that we don’t create textile waste in our R&D process.

9) What are the next steps for Minimalist? How do you see yourselves evolving in the next five years?

We are thrilled to be pioneering the circularity movement in fashion. We are looking into the options of a resale or take back program where our customers can send the garments back to us for resale or recycling once they are done with them. At MINIMALIST our goal is to offer a 360 circular experience for our customers.

Behind the Scenes with LXRandCo

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with a senior buyer at vintage luxury handbag and accessory company, LXRandCo. After working with this brand, I wanted to know more. Being a model I have the great pleasure of seeing the clothes and accessories up close and personal as well as getting to work intimately with employees from different brands. Sometimes, I want to know more, to dig deeper. I wanted to know the ins and outs of the resale market and why it’s a better option for the planet than traditional retail platforms. Check it out and let us know your thoughts.

For 20% off your next vintage purchase, use code BRITTB20 at checkout. You can always message us on social media @ondutycitizen or @brittbergmeister if you want help on choosing the perfect piece that will last a lifetime and never go out of style. The ones you can pass down to your children for years to come.

Enjoy…!

1) Tell us about your journey in the fashion world and how you ended up at LXRandCo.

My personal journey in the fashion world was actually an accident. I started out in teaching, and just happened into my job as a buyer due to my previous experience with luxury vintage during my university career. I was originally a client of LXR, I frequently sold my designer goods to LXRandCo because of the knowledge of the Buying Department and because of the overall ease of the process. Of all vintage luxury brands I have worked with, LXR’s selling process is by far the easiest and quickest. Because of my knowledge of the market, I was approached by another buyer at LXR to consider a career opportunity in fashion and the rest is history.

2) What are some of your personal favorite timeless pieces worth investing in?

I know there are a lot of brand loyalists amongst designer collectors; however, there are a few bags from different designers that no true collector should be without. From Louis Vuitton, everyone should have a Neverfull, it’s practical, stylist and incredibly versatile. Plus, it has been redone in just about every print and collection possible, personally, the newly released Monogram Empreinte Neverfull is to die for. From Dior, a saddle bag (go for a vintage Trotter print – you won’t regret it) and a classic Lady Dior in the medium size are my must picks. Chanel, classic flaps are a collector’s dream. Go for a vintage flap in Caviar leather if you can find it. The chain straps and hardware are gilded with 24K gold, so they stay the most gorgeous golden hue. Lastly, Hermès, everyone loves a Birkin, but I am all about the Evelyne, a gorgeous and versatile messenger, but I’ll be lured into buying just about anything in the most gorgeous blue colour in existence: Bleu Électrique.

3) Do you have any interesting statistics on how many handbags are in people’s closets that they don’t use?

I envision this is close to the amount of clothing that people actually wear in their closet, only about 20%.

4) I love the concept of the Reluxury Restart program! Can you tell our readers a little bit about what this entails?

I love the Reluxury Restart program as well. Essentially, we wanted to make a program where our clients could love their new-to-them handbags in a risk-free environment for up to six months and still be able to get back up to 75% of its value back to them to re-use for their next Reluxury pre-loved score. Once you purchase an item, if you sell it back to LXR within 6-months, and it is in the same condition as when you purchased it, you get back 60% in cash or 75% in LXR credit back. We really wanted our clients to help us contribute to the circular economy and to love Reluxury.

5) Tell us a bit about the secondhand market process. Where the accessories are from and how are you able to verify all handbags and accessories?

There is so much to know about the secondhand market process. LXR works diligently to source from a variety of locations to give our clients a wide variety of products, which are ethically sourced and priced competitively. We buy and consign items directly from our amazing client base, we source from auction houses as well as through a variety of wholesale suppliers.

Every single item has its authenticity verified by multiple people across multiple mediums. For example, items purchased directly through our amazing clients have an initial authenticity evaluation through photos (we ask for every small detail of the bag), from this, we can eliminate about 95% of counterfeit products – counterfeiters simply aren’t as good as they think they are. Then, our items are shipped to our warehouse where they are again authenticated in person, using a variety of techniques and tools. When they are professionally photographed for our website, they undergo a third authenticity check by our production team and by the buying team.

Each member of our buying team has a background in luxury, design or production. Each member trains for 1-2 years with senior members of the buying team to hone their skills in authentication and ensure our clients receive only authentic Reluxury goods.

6) I am always amazed at the quality of the older vintage pieces and how timeless and resilient they are in both design and craftsmanship. Do you notice a difference in quality between older and newer designs?

There is absolutely a different in vintage quality versus newer models. One of the most obvious differences is materials used. For example, Louis Vuitton used to use pure brass for its hardware. It would never flake and could always be polished back to new without replacing the part. Now, Louis Vuitton uses a gold-coloured coating that frequently rubs off within months of wearing. Other differences include the thickness of the canvas, vintage bags had thicker, sturdier canvases, they just didn’t wear the same way that new bags do. A lot of the pieces LXR carries are older than 20 years old and still look new, vintage is the way to go. I recommend only buying newer pieces when 1) it is a limited-edition piece that won’t be re-released, 2) it is a style you are absolutely in love with and there is no vintage comparable or 3) year exclusive colours.

7) We love that LXRandCo is based upon a circular model of giving a new life to products to close the loop on waste. Are there any other ways this company strives to achieve sustainable and/or ethical business practices?

We do our best to ensure all packaging is sustainable. We are actually in the middle of changing all of our shipping and packaging materials to be entirely recyclable and/or compostable. Keep watching LXR for the launch of the new packaging, it’ll be amazing.

Although it is not directly related to sustainability, LXR also strongly believes in inclusivity and representation in the media. We make sure to hire a variety of models so that everyone feels they could be an LXR client and can see themselves with their own pre-loved Reluxury piece.

We also are partnering with a charitable organization that excels in women and vintage pieces, we will announce that partnership soon.

8) What are some tips for extending the longevity of high-quality products?

How you store your items is key. Make sure that items are stuffed completely, but not over-packed to prevent wrinkling and creasing of your items. We also recommend you store your items in the dust bag when not in use; however, never ever leave your items in the box. When you leave items in a box, it creates an air-tight seal and causes the leather and or canvas to dry rapidly, never a good look.

For vachetta pieces, use a light aerosol leather guard. We often recommend apple guard; it helps non-treated leather stay clean and prevents water marks if you are caught in a precarious precipitation situation.

Remember to clean and condition leather items deeply. We recommend you wipe down treated leather (not vachetta) every other day with a damp soft cloth. You should deeply clean and condition your item about once a season.

9) Can you tell us a bit about the secondhand market growth in the past few years and how you see it continuing to flourish?

The secondhand market has exploded in the last few years. We do not have the same aversion to our products as “used” as we saw even two or three years ago. Consumers are constantly educating themselves and understand the value of vintage and pre-loved.

They also are becoming more understanding and knowledgeable with regards to issues we all face, like global warming and pollution. Everyone is starting to understand that we all need to do our part to make a chance, and buying pre-loved is just one of the small ways we can continue to make an impact.

Fashion has always been circular; we see styles and trends reemerging that we have already seen in previous decades. Some companies try to capitalize on trends and introduce new versions of luxury vintage pieces, but here at LXR, we love the original trend-setter, and we want to share that love with our clients.

10) What are the next steps for LXRandCo? How do you see yourselves evolving in the next five years?     

LXRandCo is an ever-changing and always evolving company. Lately, we have shifted our direction and have become more user-friendly for our online shoppers and have re-designed our website to facilitate ease and style. We have a few more major projects for 2021, all surrounding making Reluxury products more accessible to everyone, and for all our clients to have a really personal experience with LXR.

 In the next five years, LXR is going to be the go-to for Reluxury. What sets us apart from our competitors, and the reason we will continue to be successful is that we really listen to our customers desires and make them a reality.

2021 The Year of Yes...and No

When the Eagles penned 'Life in the Fast lane ' in 1976 I don't think they imagined just how fast that lane would become. 

Life in the fast lane

Surely make you lose your mind

Life in the fast lane

Everything all the time.

The Eagles could not have realized that "everything, all the time" would become a reality with the advent of Amazon. Need tweezers delivered in 24 hours? Amazon Prime will box them up in protective packaging, put them on a gas-fueled truck and have it at your home in time for you to pluck that chin hair before your next social event. Need McDonald's fries STAT? Door Dash will have them at your door before you can spin off the imminent calories on your Peloton. We have become a nation of saying YES to all the things!

But at what cost does this convenience come? Our planet is suffering from over consumption.

In an article in National Geographic Christopher Flavin, president of Worldwatch Institute states, "Rising consumption has helped meet basic needs and create jobs but as we enter a new century, this unprecedented consumer appetite is undermining the natural systems we all depend on, and making it even harder for the world's poor to meet their basic needs."

"Most of the environmental issues we see today can be linked to consumption," said Gary Gardner, director of research for Worldwatch.

In her 2016 book, 'Year of Yes', Shonda Rhimes, the uber-talented creator and show runner of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder, encouraged people to say Yes in order to confront their fears and become more open to new experiences. Anyone who knows me knows I whole-heartedly agree with that sentiment. Go boogie boarding in the frigid waters of New England on New Year's Day? Yes! Stay in an isolated treehouse in the middle of the Peruvian Amazon? Yes! Rhimes, an introvert, was pushing herself to get outside of her comfort zone. I would encourage everyone to say Yes... to doing things that scare you on a regular basis and to say Yes to experiences over things. Last year our family decided to give experiences instead of gifts. One of our most fun "gifts" was an evening of curling as a family. We've had fewer presents under the tree the past few years but many more happy memories. After Christmas when it came time to take out the garbage, we were pleased with how little we had.

My friend Cybele Sack posted on Facebook about 2021 being the year of saying No. "NO to destroying the environment, NO to harming for profits, NO to discrimination, NO to taking credit for other people's work, NO to being a jerk. Just NO."

In her book, Rhimes also encourages people to "Say Yes to Saying No. Learn to say ‘no’ to things and people that are sucking the life out of you."

I would add, say No to Racism, bullying, mean-spiritedness, No to excess consumerism and to wanting all the things.

Say Yes to going outside your comfort zone, Yes to adventure and Yes to new experiences.

Here's to a more thoughtful 2021 where we consider the wider impact of our decisions.

The earth will thank-you. You will thank-yourself.

Contributed by co-founder Maria Bromley

For more info on the impacts of consumerism on the earth check out:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2004/01/consumerism-earth-suffers/#close

Getting to Know Kahindo

When a former high school friend of mine reached out to introduce me to a brand she works with, I jumped at the opportunity to get to know Kahindo, founder of her namesake brand, Kahindo. With beautiful bold prints inspired by her upbringing in Africa , Kahindo strives to bring an ethical source of income to the women in the communities who help make her clothes. It was an absolute pleasure to get to know the founder and her journey into conception of this successful brand. We talk about the importance of ethical fashion, as well as how she believes the sustainable movement (and the fashion industry as a whole) can be more inclusive. Check out our interview below!

All of our ODC community can get 20% off the SS20 collection by plugging in the code: ODC20OFF

1) Tell us a bit about your journey in the making of your brand, Kahindo. 

I started my brand in 2009 in Chicago as a way to express my Congolese heritage and African upbringing. I wanted to create pieces that I could easily wear to work and that could transition to night and featured traditional African prints. I was accepted into the Chicago Fashion Incubator at Macy’s on State Street where I learned the business side of fashion. In 2016 I rebranded with a name change from Modahnik to Kahindo and moved to New York. As a luxury sustainable womenswear fashion brand that is ethically sourced and produced in Africa using fair trade practices, our mission is to empower women in marginalized communities by closing the gender gap, paying fair living wages and creating sustainable jobs. We are now carried at Rent the Runway and Industrie Africa.

2) Tell us a bit about your heritage and how that influences your beautiful designs.

I was born in Uganda to Congolese parents, schooled in Kenya and lived in Ethiopia and Niger before moving to the States to attend College. My Pan-African upbringing has given me a love and appreciation of different African cultures that I constantly pull inspiration from. I am especially proud of my Congolese heritage which I often reference in my designs. We have such a rich culture from music, to dance, to the green landscape of my hometown of Goma to fashion. Les Sapeurs is a movement that beautifully encompasses this. I grew up going to buy African print in the market in Goma and then to the local tailor who would make a custom fit outfit for me for a special occasion, and I have always wanted to share this experience with the world.

3) What is the production process like from when you think of what to make to how it is finally manufactured? 

Everything always starts with color, that is the essence of KAHINDO. I look at trend reports to get an idea of what colors will be in the next season. The next step is coming up with the print. We started developing prints in house, which is very exciting, as they are always unique to the brand. We love to collaborate with different artists to interpret their work into textiles. Once the fabric is selected we come up with the styles which always include our staples and a couple of new looks that our customer craves. Samples are made to perfect the fit, then manufacturing begins. For Spring Summer 2020, we sourced hand dyed fabric that was made in Kenya, and worked with female artisans in DR Congo who sewed the garments to perfection.

4) What does ‘sustainability’ mean to you and your brand and how do you strive for environmental and ethical justice within the fashion industry?

We address 3 of the United Nations Sustainable development goals, which are Gender Equity, Fair Trade and Poverty Eradication. This means focusing on the human factor. That is, we want to ensure fashion is ethical, that workers are treated fairly, that they get paid a fair living wage and work in safe working conditions. We believe that providing sustainable jobs is the key to ending poverty and that when you empower a woman, you empower a whole community. We want to make a well-made product in Africa that has a social impact. Consumers care how and where their clothes are made and we hope to deliver on that.

5) I love your latest collection, dropped this past January. Such beautiful colors! Tell us about your RefuSHE campaign and how that came about. 

I have been involved with RefuShe since 2014 when I participated in their “Project Runway” inspired fashion challenge, and won it that year. Their mission of empowering refugee girls is something that is close to my heart. I always wanted to be involved more, so when the opportunity came to collaborate with the women who work in the Artisan Collective, I had to jump on it. They hand dyed the fabric that was used in my SS20 collection, while earning some income which gives them financial freedom.

6) What was your experience on Project Runway like and what were some of the things you learned that stuck with you to this day?

Being selected to participate in Project Runway Season 12 was a dream come true, especially because I was picked from hundreds of designers.  The show gave me a huge opportunity to showcase my talent to millions of viewers across the U.S. I am proud that I was able to share my culture and heritage with such a large audience.

7) What message do you have for your followers and community about your own experiences as a Black-owned business and how you have remained so persistent in an industry that has been (and still can be) resistant to equality and change from within.  

The fashion industry has a lack of diversity, not only with models, but designers and press. Because of this I have had to work 10 times as hard as another designer to get the press coverage I deserve, or to get carried by retailers. I have also been passed over for so many opportunities because of the color of my skin. This has definitely slowed the growth of my brand, in addition to lack of access to capital and a network. However, I have been resilient and tenacious and truly believe that my brand is at the cusp of success.

8) How do you feel we can best make sustainability more inclusive?  

I feel large and small retailers need to start carrying more sustainable brands and more brands that are designed by black women. The 15% pledge is a great movement that is challenging retailers to dedicate 15% of their shelf space to black founded companies, which is a great start.

9) What goals do you have, current or in the future, in achieving more sustainable practices as a business? 

We started with a focus on ethical production, which sometimes is overlooked when you talk about sustainability, but is just as important if not more, because in effect it is how we treat garment workers. In the future we will source more sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton, hemp and linen and incorporate recycled materials in our packaging.

10) What has been one of your biggest achievements to date? 

Being able to provide sustainable job opportunities to female artisans in my home town of Goma, DRC is one of my biggest achievements. I was able to give over 150 days of work to the women, because of Rent the Runway, where KAHINDO is currently stocked at. 

Follow Kahindo along:

Web, Instagram

TAKE ACTION- black lives matter.

As a white female, it is not appropriate to share an opinion piece on everything that is happening right now. However, I feel my best way to take action is by providing resources to learn, how we can help as well as spreading awareness about issues regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. 

Why I feel it’s so important to provide these tools, is because it is abundantly clear we can no longer stay silent. Silence is inaction. Silence is thinking the Black Lives Movement does not affect you, that it is irrelevant to you. To think, “I have black friends”, so therefore I am not racist is an incredibly flawed and uninformed point of view. It goes so far and beyond this ideology, for we should not be preaching “I am not a racist” and rather, “I am an ANTI-racist!” All lives matter, sure. But it isn’t about that. It is beyond that. Right now this is for the black lives movement. Think about those three words deeply and understand what they truly mean. 

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”, a quote by Desmond Tutu, a South African Anglican cleric and theologian known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist.

COVID has given us time to reflect on our lives, to think about those who need our support more than ever and what flawed systems of humanity need total upheaval. This includes our fight for sustainability, the support of companies who take care of the planet and their workforce, as well as how this pandemic has disproportionately affected the black communities. But it stems beyond this. It goes deeper. 

We sit and watch one life murdered, and then another, and then another black life lost at the hands of those who are supposed to keep us safe. This is not new (I urge you to read the aforementioned link and look all of the victims’ names. Read their stories.) Our history is entangled with slavery and institutional racism persists to this day. It is flawed. And we must fix it. We cannot let another year, another moment pass. It is time for systemic change for justice and equality for all. “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – President Barack Obama. 

So I urge all my non-POC readers (especially brands I have worked with!) to take it upon yourselves to act beyond a post of condolence, and then we move on. It needs to be deeper than sympathy, deeper than well-wishes. I hope you can take this time to rethink all you have been taught thus far, or things we have blindly ignored. Our action is our reaction, and anything less than that will not create the necessary changes we need to see. The conversations you need to have may be uncomfortable. But no change in life comes from comfort, remember that.

Here are some of the tools and resources from various leaders in the BLM community. Take the time to look into their platforms and hear their stories. You have the resources to act. No more silence.

 IMMEDIATE ACTION:

•  Justice for Floyd

  • “George Floyd was a peace activist and respected community leader. He was far from his home in Houston when he was murdered in broad daylight by Minneapolis police.” 

• Justice for Breonna  

  • “Breonna Taylor was an award-winning EMT and model citizen. She loved her family and community. She worked at two hospitals as an essential worker during the pandemic.” 
     

JOIN THE MOVEMENT:

• Dream Defenders

• Color of Change

• Black Lives Matter      

• Grassroots Law Project  
  

READ, INFORM YOURSELF, AND LEARN ABOUT OUR PAST:

• A great anti-racist reading list written by Break Baker, a racial and gender justice activist 
  

FILMS/T.V. SERIES TO WATCH:

• A list compiled by the @SouthAsians4BlackLives group compiled by Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein

• 13th (Avery DuVernay)

• American Son (Kenny Leon)

• Black Power Mixtape: 1967-1975

• Clemency (Chinonye Chukwu)

• Dear White People (Justin Simien)

• Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler)

• I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin)

• If Beale Street Could Talk (Barry Jenkins)

• Just Mercy (Destin Daniel Cretton)

• King In The Wilderness

• See You Yesterday (Stefon Bristol)

• Selma (Ava DuVernay)

• The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

• The Hate U Give (George Tillman Jr.)

• When They See Us (Ava DuVernay)
   

ARTICLES TO READ:

• A list compiled by the @SouthAsians4BlackLives group compiled by Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein

• “America’s Racial Contract is Killing Us” by Adam Serwer

• Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement

• “My Life as an Undocumented Immigrant” by Jose Antonio Vargas

• The 1619 Project

• “The Intersectionality Wars” by Jane Coaston

• “Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
  

PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO:

•  A list compiled by the @SouthAsians4BlackLives group compiled by Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein

• 1619 (NY Times)

• About Race

• Code Switch (NPR)

• Intersectionality Matters! Hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw

• Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast

• Pod for the Cause (from The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights)

• Pod Save the People (Crooked Media)

• The Combahee River Collective Statement

• How to Survive the End of the World 
  

DONATE IF YOU CAN:

• Black Visions Collective

• Reclaim the Block
  

SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES:

• This list of skincare/beauty brands to support was compiled by @cocokind

• @hanahana_beauty

• @golde

• @mielleorganics

• @nyakiobeauty

• @uomabeauty

• @briogeo

• @anitagrant

• @ouithepeople

• @mentedcosmetics

• @thehoneypotco

• @martousnaturals

• @ooopolish

• @aketzaliskincare
  

SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS TO FOLLOW 

• Shaun King; civil rights activist and co-founder of Real Justice PAC

• Reflective Resistance by @mimizhuxiyuan

• @mireillecharper; writer, sensitivity reader and publicist 

• Changing the world with words, @renieddolodge

• Racial justice educator @iamrachelricketts

• NYT bestselling author, @laylafsaad

• Professor & writer @ibramxk

• @thegreatunlearn, a community of everyday human beings committed to curiosity for what is possible in the world

• @rachel.cargle, builds intellectual legacy through teaching and storytelling

• @ckyourprivilege; dismantling relationships with systems of domination
  

MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT WHITE PEOPLE CAN DO RIGHT NOW: 

• “5 Things White People Can Do Right Now to Combat White Supremacist Violence”

• “75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice”

• “Beyond the Hashtag: How to Take Anti-Racist Action in Your Own Life”

All You Need to Know About Proclaim!

I recently came across Proclaim; a women’s line of intimates that promotes inclusivity, longevity and comfort. As something that we all need to wear, I appreciated their mindfulness with encompassing size, style, and color. From why they choose to produce locally in L.A. to some of their favorite eco-friendly materials they incorporate in production design, check out our latest interview with Shobha Philips, founder of Proclaim… Enjoy!

1) Tell us about the journey from conception to fruition for Proclaim.

I started Proclaim because I was tired of not being able to find a nude bra that matched my brown skin as an Indian woman.  For years, the fashion industry has chosen to ignore me and millions of women that don’t have the skin color that is ubiquitously known as nude.  It was something I was aware of for as long as I can remember. I knew I wanted to be a part of the movement to revolutionize nude, but if I was going to do this, I wanted to do it right.  Beyond inclusivity, there are so many issues in the fashion industry that are long overdue for change, specifically it’s negative effects on people and the environment.  Proclaim is ethically made, inclusively designed intimates for women of all shapes, sizes and skin tones.  Our pieces are made from eco-friendly fabrics and made locally here in Los Angeles.

2) We love that Proclaim is inclusive in size, and color. How did this become a part of the business model?  

As someone who never felt they were included in the beauty narrative in fashion, being inclusive was particularly important to me from day one.  Representation of women of all shapes, sizes and skin tones has been lacking, especially in intimates. All our pieces are created in inclusive nude tones and we have been working on expanding our size options with each collection.  Our latest collection is available in sizes S-3X.

3) What are the main differences between post-consumer recycled bottles and Tencel fabrics and how does Proclaim incorporate them both into the designs?

All our fabrics are selected with environmental impact in mind.  Recycled polyester is made from BPA-free recycled plastic bottles.  We love recycled polyester because is it reduces reliance on virgin petroleum as a raw material and diverts plastic from landfills and oceans.  Tencel, on the other hand is made from eucalyptus bark and made in a nearly closed loop process where 99% of the solvent is recovered, purified and reused.   I love exploring new eco-friendly fabrics and hope to continue to work with different fibers as we grow.

4) What criteria does Proclaim company have for choosing factories to work with?

As an LA based brand, we work with factories that are based in LA to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to the economy where we live.  The factories pay fair wages in the form of salaries instead of per/piece which is a practice that can lead to underpayment of workers and a focus on quantity rather than quality.    All our manufacturing partners meet state, local and federal workplace requirements for a safe workplace as well.

5) What can we do as consumers to prolong the life of our undergarments and how often should we purchasing new bras and underwear? 

Handwashing instead of machine washing will lead to a longer life for any garment, but especially your delicate intimates. I know it’s not always convenient, but it makes a big difference. I also recommend hang drying to prolong the life instead of throwing them in the dryer.  As far as when to purchase new intimates, it depends on how often you are wearing your bra or underwear.  But in general, I try to pay attention to the comfort and fit of the bra.  Your bra should be supportive and comfortable.  If there is significant decline from wearing and washing over time, it might be time to replace.

6) Where should our used garments go once we’re finished with them?

I like to swap or give clothes to friends to ensure a longer life cycle for the garment.  Donating clothes is another option to places like Goodwill or a homeless shelter.  Many cities also have textile recycling programs that turn unusable garments into insulation and other industrial uses.

7) In your opinion, what is the most unsustainable part of the fashion industry? What is Proclaim doing to combat this? 

The sheer volume of garments being produced is, in my opinion, the most unsustainable part of fashion.  Churning out cheaply made clothes that are made to wear one or two times is simply not sustainable for the planet. Proclaim produces thoughtfully designed pieces in small batch production that is made for many wears in timeless, minimalist styles.

8) How has the company’s journey been through these difficult times of COVID-19? What can we, your community do to help?

We turned to making masks a few weeks ago in an effort to allow our production partners to keep working in a newly configured safe working environment and to donate masks to the Downtown Women’s Center in LA through our buy-one-donate-one program.

9. How do you think the fashion industry will change after this pandemic and what are you trying to do to cope with these changes?

I hope companies will use this time to rethink their business models and invest in a future that algins with the fragile ecosystem we live in.

10) What are the next steps for Proclaim?  How do you see yourselves evolving in the next five years?     

There are so many wardrobe staples that women need in inclusive nude tones and inclusive sizes. I’d like to continue to create these pieces within the sustainable business model we’ve built over the last 3 years.

The Fekkai Life

Togetherness and Creativeness; Things to Keep Us Going During COVID-19

Gone are the days where we can meet up with friends, have Sunday dinners with loved ones, or simply go to our favorite workout class; our normal routine that I’m sure lots of us took for granted. I know I did. So, how can we stay connected even though we may be physically separated?  

I’ve seen a bunch of things popping up on the internet and social media about ways we can change up our normal routines, but find comfort in these new circumstances we’re all forced to be in. It can feel overwhelming at first, for me especially I tend to shrink at the thought that I should be more productive during this time, simply because I have so much more free time. If I feel pressure that I should be accomplishing that much more, it will oftentimes have the opposite effect on my productivity. My husband however thrives at the prospect of all these new, oftentimes, creative ways in which we can keep busy. He loves when he feels useful and productive, whether someone is telling him to be so or not. I guess a lot of the times I have to come to my creativeness on my own terms.  

While sometimes my coping mechanisms revolve around staring at a screen all day being anything but productive, I have found it encouraging to see new ways in which we can tap into our creative side, whenever we feel the urge to do so. My husband loves lists like this, so if you’re anything like him I think you’ll enjoy the plethora of suggestions. If you’re like me, you can take this list with a grain of salt. if you’re having a good day and feel like you need some more art in your life or simply want to throw on the latest virtual MET concert as you fall asleep at night, check it out. 

This is a time filled with anxiety, sleepless nights, and simply the unknown of how long, and how bad this will get is unsettling. But if we can use this time to learn from each other and grow stronger from this terrible pandemic, to support the arts, support our local businesses who are struggling, then I think we can grow exceptionally stronger from this whole situation. This affects us all disproportionately, I know I oftentimes feel bad, to feel bad, seeing as I have a lovely home to quarantine in and a supportive partner that lifts me up when I’m feeling my worst, but all our problems are valid and it’s how we try and make the most of this situation and come together even though we’re apart that we’ll get through this. See you on the other side. 

INTROVERTS:

• Free audio books on Audible

• Or video games I guess… like my husband is into…

THE ARTS:

• A lot of museums are offering free virtual tours. Musee D’orsay is a favorite of mine, check it out! Skip the line, virtually, for free!

• Or check out Marquee TV (basically Netflix for the arts)

 MUSIC MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND:

• The arts are what helps us get through the tough times, yet it’s artists and musicians that will have some of the hardest times getting through this recession. The MET is offering free streaming of their concerts every night. 

• Celebrities are joining in by offering free concerts via streaming; Miley Cyrus, John Legend and Willie Nelson have hosted virtual concerts, check out the hashtag #TogetherAtHome to find more virtual concerts to come

• My father in law, Kim Mitchell hosted a concert on Facebook Live, check it out here!

 CHEERS! :

• In lieu of supporting small businesses, a lot of our favorite bars are finding it difficult to stay afloat. If you’re NYC based, try ordering a big batch of premade cocktails from The Garret (and then host a virtual happy hour with friends!)

•  If you’re outside of NYC, get creative by making your own cocktails. This is a favorite of mine; the Paper Plane.

 KEEP THE PARTY GOING:

• In addition to virtual happy hours, join Zoom or Google Hangout to connect with friends, celebrate each other’s birthday parties, or to meet new people. 

• Club Quarantine is hosting an online queer party every night of the quarantine. 21:00-00:00 ET on zoom app.

 FEED ME:

• Get cooking!! This is a great site for recipes, and my all-time favorite is this chickpea, coconut milk stew that keeps well for a few days and is really easy to make!

 STAY ACTIVE TO SUPPORT ALL YOUR BINGE EATING:

• Beyond feeling good, a lot of the workouts I previously did were to stay fit because I had to for work. While I thought I would lessen the amount of movement I did seeing as I’ll be out of work for a while, I realized that it actually helps me alleviate stress and anxiety and is a great tool to get through these times. So, keep moving!! For you, and not because you have to. 

• A couple of my favorite workouts are by Sky Ting yoga and Pvolve streaming. 

 SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES:

• If you can shop locally from that mom & pop store that’s still open versus another Amazon order! 

• If you’re ordering in, leave a box of snacks and water for your local delivery man, they’re still out there working and keeping us afloat, let them know you appreciate them!

• Order takeout from that Indian or Chinese restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. A lot of these small businesses will not survive, do what you can to support them during these rough times 

HOW TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEUR:

• My friend Sinead Bovell, founder of Waye Talks is giving out weekly advice for the young entrepreneur. Check out her site for incredible advice on entrepreneurship and simple solutions on how to stay motivated and productive during this pandemic. 

 GET SMART:

• No more excuses!! Seeing as I only completed one year at UofT before moving to NYC full-time to pursue modeling, now is my time to get back into academics!

• This is a great resource, as is this class by Yale which is now offering their most popular class to date for free! And the topic is without a doubt going to help you get through these depressing times. 

 REWATCH THE TORONTO RAPTORS WIN AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN: 

• Yeah baby ,thank you TSN!

 NIHONGO O MANABU (LEARN JAPANESE): 

• All I can seem to remember is how to order a beer and food (useful), but perhaps I should re-learn a bit more… Check out this site!

BE CALM: 

• Try that mediation class you’ve always been wanting to try.

 NETFLIX, DRINK, AND CHILL:

• A new way to watch Netflix together with friends; Netflix Party, check it out!!

TRYING TO STAY SUSTAINABLE? : 

• It’s okay to feel overwhelmed at the prospect of having to use more plastic when stocking up on goods during this pandemic. Look at sustainability in a new lens. Lauren Singer, founder of Package Free Shop sums it up pretty perfectly in her latest Instagram post.

I’m thankful for all of those putting their lives on risk to support the economy and keep us all safe. The heroes who work in hospitals, doctors offices, delivery men, firefighters, small businesses who are being hit hard more than ever. These are tough times, but we will get stronger from this. We’ll have good days, and terrible days, but we will learn from this and grow together even stronger than before. Thank you again for everyone staying inside, washing their hands, and continuing to follow protocol. Do it for your loved ones, the elderly, your friends, and own family.