INTERVIEW #13 VERA CARLBAUM-WRENNMARK

Vera is the perfect example of that working for a better world doesn’t have to be grey or boring. She goes to work every day, with the responsibility to safe-guard one of Swedens most established humanitarian youth organisations, with a huge smile on her face and a colourful outfit to match that. She’s met several international high-level humanitarian and development workers and I guess the footprint she leaves is not only about her sincere engagement of the young generations well-being and rights, but also of her grace and beauty, especially on stage making powerful speeches. She makes you believe it’s actually possible to empower youth and combat climate change. And honestly, if you look at her, it seems to be a lot of fun doing the work she does. In this interview she reflects upon her relationship with clothes and being a humanitarian worker. She gives her best tips on how to enjoy quality fashion brands and still keeping your carbon footprint low. Enjoy!

“You can live a sustainable life and still care about fashion.”

Occupation:

Chairperson for Red Cross Youth Organisation Sweden

What’s your relationship with clothes?

If you would have asked me just a few months ago I would’ve probably been a little embarrassed to say that fashion is pretty much my biggest interest. It really is. I spend a lot of my time scrolling on inspiring Instagram-accounts, watching the latest news from the fashion shows and so on. I think it’s a lot of fun, it brings me joy. The embarrassing part probably comes from what I do for a living. I’m working in the humanitarian sector and people interested in fashion have been associated to care a lot about how they look. It’s been a little bit of a clash for me to find my own relationship with fashion and still being someone who has high moral values. 

A few months ago I just decided that I can make my interest with fashion and my humanitarian work go hand in hand. Clothes is actually a way to express yourself and why not use that at my work? I now see that it goes hand in hand as long as you have a sustainability perspective on your consumption. And the great thing is that today fashion can be sustainable! It’s actually a form of art and we only need a new mindset on how to relate to our clothes. You can live a sustainable life and still care about fashion. 

I’ve always been interested in clothes when I think about it. At secondary school, one day, I was wearing a skirt similar to the Scottish kilt and said to my teacher that I’m experimenting with styles! 

I believe my experience with the clash has to do with social norms. In today’s society a woman can’t be smart, good looking and care about how she dress at the same time. It’s like if you do have strong values and certain opinions you shouldn’t be someone who cares about how she looks. When you get older you realise that things are not that black and white. 

Today I feel confident in my values and my humanitarian work combined with how I dress. My style is only amplifying my intellect.  

How would you describe your style?

“My style is only amplifying my intellect. ”

I think my style is a little bit crazy! 

I love Danish brands and design. I use a lot of pattern, colours and so on. I guess my style doesn’t have one shape or form, it’s a mix of different styles. It can be both black, extravagant and feminine. I dress according to how I feel. If I’m happy one day, you’ll notice! I also get inspired by others. It can be a movie.. it doesn’t have to be related to fashion. But what’s trendy right now is my fashion dream! I love all the colours and the mixes of styles on the runway! 

How would you describe your closet?

“Probably 70% of my clothes are clothes that have been given to me by relatives, family members or friends.”

Very chaotic! It’s overloaded with clothes. Once a month I have to take out all my clothes and reorder them again to be able to find anything. Probably 70% of my clothes are clothes that have been given to me by relatives, family members or friends. A lot of clothes have also been bought on certain Facebook groups or second hand platforms. I have a few more exclusive clothes. Normally I buy something more luxury every third or fourth month and I’ve been doing that for years. The result is a closet today with things I really value and have valued for a long period of time. 

What is a sustainable closet for you?

It’s a closet with clothes your use regularly and often. I don’t have clothes just to own them, I actually use the ones I have. I love my closet as it is and because many of the items are of high quality, I really value them and have used them a lot. A closet you love with clothes you use is a sustainable one!

I also think that a messy closet like mine with plenty of clothes is a sustainable one since a majority of my clothes are re-used and second handed. 

“And it’s not only the production of clothes, it’s also the design, marketing and so on which is responsible for making a certain body type and skin colour mainstream over another. It’s impacting women’s ideas how they should look and their relationship to their body often in a negative way”

What do you think about the fashion industry? 

It’s problematic and complex for many reasons. I believe the social and environmental awareness has increased the last few years. The big fashion brands and companies are trying to change their production, but at the same time it’s not really enough to address, for example, it’s impact on the climate. And it’s not only the production of clothes, it’s also the design, marketing and so on which is responsible for making a certain body type and skin colour mainstream over another. It’s impacting women’s ideas how they should look and their relationship to their body often in a negative way. 

But I also think the industry needs to change from the inside. It’s a system change that needs to happen so it has to come from within. But of course, we who are interested and consume clothes can also do our best to impact the industry. I think you can be a conscious consumer and be a part of the change. 

What do you believe needs to change?

Massproduction! It’s very typical of our time! Overproduction is the problem in all sectors and we need a better leadership to transform the industries. I also believe that the more power you have the more responsibility you have. The big companies needs to lead the transformation.  

What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?

·     Join networks where you can shop selective items of second hand clothes. There are plenty of forums that are focusing on different categories. For example I love the platform “Labels we Love” where I can find my favourite brands second hand for a very good price! 

·     Find inspiration! My biggest source of inspiration are my friends. We borrow clothes from each other, but that’s easy for me since all my friends love fashion! 

·     Invest in clothes you really love! If you want to buy something new, make sure it’s something you really want and like. I normally buy more high quality brands on sales since I’ve been longing for those clothes for a long time, I know I’m going to use them a lot!

“Join networks where you can shop selective items of second hand clothes.”