INTERVIEW #25 OLIVIA ROTHSCHILD
Olivia might not call herself an influencer but she clearly do influence people into a more sustainable lifestyle. For example, she’s the co-founder of Hyber, a rental clothing platform for children, which inspires more parents to start circulating clothes. She’s also hosting the podcast Imagine a World which seeks to break norms through inviting outside the box thinkers. In this interview we get to know her style and relationship to clothes but also what she thinks about the fashion industry.
Occupation:
Co-founder of Hyber och brand keeper
“The fact that we’re practically unable to track our clothes tells us there is a lot we don’t know about the materials, how they are produced, during what conditions and how they are transported. The price in the store doesn’t reflect the true cost of the production.”
What’s your relationship with clothes?
I think clothing is a lot of fun and have always enjoyed dressing out. I like how dressing out can make you feel a little bit crazy and vibrant. But I’m not very good at integrating that aspect in my private life. I can feel quite anxious over clothes, especially when consuming clothes mostly for environmental reasons. I’m afraid to make the wrong decision and regret my purchase. I guess my relationship can be answered with the word; uncharted. I could probably do much more with the clothes I have and explore my style further. You really don’t need a lot of clothes to express your personality.
How would you describe your style?
It’s a mix. I can look like a total hippie with kaftans at times and the next day I can wear baggy pants with an oversize shirt and baskets or a slim dress. I would say my style is very casual and relaxed. I like earrings, rings and dresses. Those are my standard pieces that I combine with everything. It’s fun to vary your style! Sometimes I really wonder how I could feel fabulous in a piece of clothing just the day after I wore it!
How would you describe your closet?
Also a mix. I have a lot of pants and a lot of dresses. It has it’s cycles. Even though I’m pretty good at cleansing out and selling or donating things I don’t use, I can sometimes start to wear things I haven’t worn for a very long time all of a sudden.
The pants, kimonos and dresses are organised, but the sweaters and t-shirts are in a big mess. You can find all kinds of materials and plenty of colours. I don’t have a winter closet and a summer closet - it’s all in there for me to be reminded of what I have at all times. Sometimes a summer dress can come in really handy when it’s colder too.
“Normally we just wear a T-shirt 30 times and if we would use it 60 times instead, we would half the environmental impact.”
What is a sustainable closet for you?
It’s a closet where you actually use your clothes and when you’re good at combining them in different ways. It’s a closet with clothes you can wear every season. It’s a closet with clothes you look after and wear for a long time period. Bought on second hand or new, make sure you use them. Normally we just wear a T-shirt 30 times and if we would use it 60 times instead, we would half the environmental impact. If you’re tired of it you can remake it, maybe with some new colour or a print? If you are creative, there’s so many things you can do to make your closet more sustainable.
What do you think about the fashion industry?
It’s actually quite horrible when you think of the environmental impact it has… on the other side it meets a demand but it’s encouraging a consumer behaviour that is far from sustainable. The fact that we’re practically unable to track our clothes tells us there is a lot we don’t know about the materials, how they are produced, during what conditions and how they are transported. The price in the store doesn’t reflect the true cost of the production.
At the same time the industry is exciting. It’s about art and expressing oneself.
The fashion industry has long been creating the images we have of ourselves, what is trendy, how we are supposed to look and so on. It should definitely take a bigger responsibility regarding these societal aspects as well.
“The industry is highly impacted by corona right and many impactful actors now realise there needs to be a shift in order to survive and this shift will have to be a big move toward a sustainable business model.”
What do you believe needs to change?
The price should represent the actual costs. It’s very important. So many things are not included and no one takes the responsibility.
I don’t believe that consumer demand alone can change the industry. I think regulations also has to come from a political level. That said, the industry is highly impacted by corona right and many impactful actors now realise there needs to be a shift in order to survive and this shift will have to be a big move toward a sustainable business model.
What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?
Ask a friend to help you with the styling! Maybe there are clothes in your closet that looks very good together but you haven’t seen it?
Use what you already have!
Shop second hand and use rental services. With rental services you get that feeling of not always wearing the same clothes without buying something new! I use Something Borrowed and I love the excitement of the news every month.
Stay true to yourself and find your style instead of following trends all too much.
Borrow clothes from your parents and grandparents! In a dads closet you can find amazing oversized sweaters. You can also find clothes there that suddenly are trendy again and even better, some old classics!
“Stay true to yourself and find your style instead of following trends all too much.”