INTERVIEW #167 ALEXANDRA VAN DER ZEE
Name: Alexandra van der Zee
Occupation: Marketing manager at an IT firm
Based in: The Netherlands/Italy
Website: www.myslowworld.com
Instagram: @Instagram.com/myslowworld
Hi Alexandra, welcome to A Sustainable Closet, can you please introduce yourself?
I am Alexandra and I like to call myself a fashion revolutionist. Our society places immense pressure on what you should do and what you possess, leading many to a constant feeling of dissatisfaction. This dissatisfaction is often filled by material possessions, which creates various problems. Our closets are filled with clutter, we feel like we have nothing to wear, the clothing industry is one of the most polluting, and yet it's never enough. I believe we can change this. Therefore, I show examples of slow living and sustainable fashion on my blog and Instagram.
What is your relationship with clothes?
I used to have a wardrobe full of clothes and nothing to wear. I like fashion and putting in the effort, however, before I got into slow fashion, I bought into trends mindlessly, resulting in an unsatisfying wardrobe and a constant feeling for more. Now, where I know what I like, where I know much more about fit and fabrics and where I feel content with what I have, I can enjoy fashion on a different and much more satisfying level. Getting dressed is easier and more fun and overall my relationship with clothes has improved.
When did you get into sustainability and why?
I got into sustainability in 2018, when I was studying abroad in Germany in a town that was nominated as fair trade town of the year, where I then watched the documentary ‘The True Cost’ and when the first edition of the Slow Fashion Season was organized. All these puzzle pieces fell perfectly together and therefore motivated me to get into slow fashion.
You have a newsletter, My Slow World, can you tell us more about that and what people can sign up for?
With my weekly newsletter, I am creating a moment of slowness and content for my readers. Once a week I share podcasts, movies or reading recommendations. I share tips on how to feel better and more content – something my friends always ask my advice for. Besides that, I share newly discovered slow fashion brands and I’m working on Spotify playlists to accompany you through the slow seasons of life. This all will contribute to a better, more connected and warmer life.
Best tips to enjoy fashion without harming?
I’d say, try to shop second-hand as much as possible, and whenever you can’t find it second-hand, save up and buy it from an ethical fashion brand.
What do you believe needs to happen to make the fashion industry more sustainable?
The fashion industry can only become more sustainable when we realize we don’t need that many clothes. When we start producing and buying less, wearing more. Ethical fashion brands that create stunning high-quality pieces show us that it is possible. We need to think of the future: produce and shop for the vintage of the future.
Anything else you would like to share with our readers?
It might be an open door, but if you haven’t seen the documentary “The True Cost”, do it today. It’ll change your view on fashion for the better.