INTERVIEW #10 NICOLE MODIGH
“The most sustainable thing you can to is to consume less in general”
It feels like I’ve known Nicole for many many years since we been following each other on social media. I’ve always find her brand Free Spirit Shaking Soul very inspring. It’s the kind of Instagram account that makes living closer to nature and dressing in handicraft cool. Of course I wanted to have a chat with the lady being the brand. After talking to her, I can really see that she lives as she learns and she’s doing it in a joyful and creative way!
What’s your relationship with clothes?
Clothes is for me a way to be creative. It’s a way to show my personality. I dress according to my mood. If I’m having a bad day, I’m choosing to wear more colors that hopefully boosts my mood. To me clothes express my emotions and also the values I have in life, I like to wear clothes that make feel proud.
How would you describe your style?
My style is quite modest and ordinary but with more colours! I probably look more like a hipster then I think. Especially here in Åre where most people wear outdoor clothes. My clothes has more pattern and colors than the average person I guess. I also love craftwork which means I like to pimp my style with selected jewelry, I often wear crystals & stones and I prefer materials that comes directly from nature or have a certain handmade story. Its nice to wear same simple clothes but style them with different accessories like jewelry, or hats etc.
How would you describe your closet?
“Second hand goes first hand ”
My closet has plenty of second hand items. I’m making an effort not to buy clothes that are first handed. I have consciously been creative to find ways to renew my closet without buying new clothes! An example would be clothing-exchange event with friends.
For me, second hand goes first hand for sustainability reasons. If I buy something new I’m taking a lot of time to really think about it before I make a decision.
My closet has plenty of clothes and it’s quite messy. I like it that way. Order is not my thing. I often clear my closet to make sure everything I own I also use, I don’t like clothes being forgotten, in that case I rather give the clothes to someone who will use it more.
What is a sustainable closet for you?
It’s about being conscious. Buy less, choose well and make it last, like they say. The most sustainable thing you can to is to consume less in general. I’m very conscious about what I choose, I ask myself, do I really need these clothes or is there something at home I can remake? Our individual choices has a larger impact on the planet than we think and we can make better choices that has an effect.
What do you think about the fashion industry?
“As a creative person I believe that we overall have lost the respect and value for handicraft today.”
It’s well-known to be a very dirty industry and I think everyone who has seen the documentary The True Cost has a bad stomach-feeling about fashion. There are many similarities with the fashion industry and the food industry. Both are too big and no one really knows what the other one is doing and therefore no one take responsibility. But being big also means having opportunities, opportunities to use the recourses they have to create change. If everyone within the fashion industry and the consumers would do their best to change and help each other, change will happen.
I also find it hard to believe that the way the industry operates today, with fast fashion and linear models its hard to make sustainable.
What do you believe needs to change?
A lot of things needs to change. The combination of behavior change by consumers and more circular and slow business models by the producers I believe. To use your power as a consumer and to change your behavior is essential. The companies are going to be willing to meet the demand! Be curious, ask questions and don’t be afraid to tell them your demands. To be able to demand better products we also need more knowledge. We need to know what needs to change and how we can make a difference. Educate yourself and ask companies questions.
“Be curious, ask questions and don’t be afraid to tell them (brands) your demands.”
As a creative person I believe that we overall have lost the respect and value for handicraft today. We need to start value our clothes and the work behind the garment and start to innovate on how to meet the demand in more circular ways. It's easy to neglect that it's real people, lives and vital resources that make the clothes you’re wearing today.
What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?
Find your style and source of inspiration. Exchange ideas with friends, create clothing-exchange events and find inspiring accounts on Instagram on how to remake your own clothes! It has to be fun, joyful and you need to have a deep understanding on why you’re doing this. What does it take to make yourself interested in sustainable fashion?
Find your favorite accessories, accessories can make any doll clothes fun and a great way to avoid buying new clothes.
Write to companies, especially minor companies and ask questions. Maybe they can help you with ideas on how to look after your clothes and so on? Many of the smaller ethical brands loves to hear from their customers.
Be more aware in general! To buy something new should be the last choice. First, exchange clothes, buy second hand and so on. If you have to buy something new, educate yourself about the brands sustainability profile, how are they operating? Are they certified? Is it trust-worthy what they say?
Follow the rule; one garment in your closet, and one garment out! In that way you keep a track on what’s in your closet and use the clothes you actually have. The ones not being used shouldn’t be there, it’s time for them to move on to a new owner. And it’s actually makes one happy to see someone else enjoying your old clothes.
Follow organisations like Fashion Revolution and Fair action, they have great information and tips on how to be more active and learn more about the industry today.