INTERVIEW #140 ROBERTA LEE
Name: Roberta Lee
Occupation: Sustainable Fashion Stylist, Activist and Speaker, Responsible business coach, and Founder of Ethical Brand Network.
Based in: London
Website:
Instagram: @robertastylelee
Hi Roberta, can you tell us more about yourself?
I’ve been a passionate advocate for sustainable style since 2015. I watched the documentary The True Cost and I was forever changed. I’m by no means perfect, but I try my best to live by the values that are important to me, and that extends to my clothes. I have been active in the sustainable fashion space for over 7 years now, styling, speaking on stage and on TV, styling fashion shows and highlighting the importance of versatility and repeated wears, so that’s how I became known as London’s Sustainable Stylist.
When did you get interested in clothes and when did you get into sustainability?
I have been fascinated by the psychology behind our desire to wear, buy or behave a certain way in clothing. I think that all started when I was 14 and I got into performing arts to help boost my confidence. Clothes helped me get into character and I found that powerful, fit, styles and shapes really influence how we feel about ourselves. I became interested in sustainability over 15 years ago. But I only joined to dots with fashion and sustainability around 8 years ago, there wasn’t a lot of information, help, or resources on the subject back then like there is today.
How would you describe your style?
My style is feminine and sophisticated with a dash of London edge. Since the lookdown, I have incorporated more fun and relaxed vibes, with a healthy dose of colour.
Can you tell us more about your work as a stylist what is among the most common questions you get and what is it that people need help with?
I do a broad range of work, I do VIP 1:1 work with high-profile individuals, to working with everyday women, mums, businesswomen, and even students who want their wardrobes to work harder for them - and to feel confident in their style choices. For the most part, people are unaware of their body shape and what styles suit them, and the same with colours. Once those two main areas are tackled it’s onto navigating the sustainable wardrobe concept, a lot of people think it's about shopping for new things made by sustainable brands, which is not.
What is your course about and who can join (and how)?
Ah yes, my Create your own personal style programme is a step-by-step course that teaches you everything you need to know to build your style and create a sustainable wardrobe. I don’t call it a sustainable wardrobe course, because it’s not about that. It’s about giving women the skills, insights and confidence to elevate their own style and build a wardrobe that’s aligned with their values.
To join it’s simply a case of enrolling here: https://robertastylelee.co.uk/create-your-own-personal-style/. Students can go at their own pace and if they need 1:1 support they can book a 30-min session with me.
How would you describe your closet, is it as organised as we think?
My wardrobe used to be very organised, but I recently moved and I am in rented accommodation, so it’s not how I want it. I have two wardrobes, one with all my dresses and coats in one room, and then another with my blazers, tops, jeans etc in another room. I have a floor-to-ceiling set of shelves on that I store the majority of my shoes on…It works for now, but it’s not my ideal setup.
What is a sustainable closet for you?
A sustainable wardrobe isn’t just a capsule wardrobe of interchangeable pieces, it’s a collection of clothes with memories, opportunities and endless possibilities. That’s the beauty of styling - it’s not about constantly shopping for more, it’s about pushing the scope of what’s possible from your existing wardrobe.
What do you think about the fashion industry?
It’s a source of beauty, creativity and innovation, whilst being completely contradictory of itself - disempowering, ugly and full of conflict. The industry needs to change.
I endorse individual action as I think activism is personal for us all but our small and meaningful actions don’t compare with the fashion industry’s impact and daily actions. We need governments to step up and get legislation in place - that’s where we need to focus our energy, demanding that governments take action.
What do you believe needs to change?
The responsibility and accountability shouldn’t be on consumers, sure, we should all shop less. But we should not be made to feel responsible for ruining our planet. We’ve been subjected to a stream of subliminal and in-your-face marketing for the last 20+ years. All we have seen is endless messaging telling us we’d be happier if we purchased another item because we deserve it. A lot needs to change, for the impact that’s needed radical systemic change across the fashion industry has to be enforced, coupled with consumer awareness of overconsumption and some level of accountability.
What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?
Getting clear on your personal style is the best way to get clarity on how to style the clothes in your wardrobe. Use more of what you’ve got. Repeat outfits and aim for 100 years from everything you own.