INTERVIEW #121 CECILIA BLANKENS
Name: Cecilia Blankens
Occupation: Fashion entrepreneur
Based in: Stockholm
Website: blankens.com
Instagram: @yourblankens
Dear Cecilia, can you tell us more about yourself and in what ways you work with fashion?
I’m as invested in sustainability matters as I am in my wardrobe and what I wear, these two have always been my main interests since I was a kid. A few years ago I noticed that the marked missed shoes that had high standards when it comes to both, sustainability, design and quality, so after being a fashion journalist for many years I took a leap of faith and decided to launch my own shoe wear brand, Blankens. We have production in Europe, always the highest quality and finest chrome-free leather designs that are timeless but always interesting - we make the shoes you want to wear forever and ever!
What is your relationship with clothes, when did you start to get interested and how do you relate today?
Clothes have always been my fun go-to and my favourite way to express who I am. That’s how it always has been. Growing up in a small town in Sweden, this was before online shopping was a thing, we had zero shops but a thrift shop to go to. So I went there, got the stuff I liked and recreated it with my mom’s sewing machine.
How would you describe your style?
If an Argentinian Gaucho and Cher had a child together, that’s my style, at the corner of cowboy and glitz.
Can you describe your closet, any favourite items? Big or Small? Organised or messy?
My wardrobe is big and fun! Lots of cool vintage stuff, lots of really good denim, and LOTS of Blankens shoes. It’s kind of organised chaos!
When did you start Blankens and why?
I started Blankens because my entrepreneurial gene missed good (meaning namely from a sustainable point of view) shoes at a decent price point on the market. Plus, imagine being a passionate shoe lover with the possibility to create the shoes of my dreams. I could not do it! Blankens was launched in 2014 , the first year more or less a hobby project but with very loyal customers and backed by a strong community of shoe-loving women. The past four years we’ve grown a lot and now Blankens is my livelihood and biggest passion in life.
What have been the major challenges with starting your own brand?
There are new challenges all the time! If you’re not into solving problems, running a business is probably not your thing. But if you are, maybe even like managing through different obstacles and always moving forward - then go for it!
What recommendations would you give to others who would like to have their own sustainable brand?
Is there a gap in the market? Go get it!
What are the major sustainability challenges when it comes to shoes and bags as you see it?
Plenty! First and foremost there still isn’t any good way to recycle shoes. That’s why high quality and design that last is so important. Shoes should last long! Leather can be a dirty business too - but with Blankens we use chrome-free and or eco-certified leathers, and use natural materials as often as we can.
What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?
It’s an oldie but goldie - stay away from fast fashion, look up where your purchase has been made, and buy mostly second-hand and vintage!
