INTERVIEW #44 HEWAN TEMESGHEN
“My sustainable closet tells a story, not just about my style - but about what I value as well.”
What’s your relationship with clothes?
I have always had a very intimate and genuine relationship with my clothes. I remember shopping with my cousins when I was younger and they always joked about how I took so much time. In retrospect, I realize that I enjoyed the journey of shopping: feeling fabrics, reading the tags, going aisle through aisle looking for items that I liked. Naturally, my style has evolved over time depending on my age, lifestyle, and consumption habits…..but certain things have remained constant. My clothes and style are, one way of, how I express myself and how I choose to celebrate my identity. Now that I am older and wiser, I have found more conscionable ways to integrate my morals and values (for a more sustainable fashion) into this journey.
“What matters most to me is that I feel good in what I’m wearing and that I’m able to show up confidently for who and what is most important to me!”
How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as timeless and unpredictable. I have never fit into any one “trend” - I prefer to wear what feels good to me. I love to try new hairstyles. I love to push the norm and play with different color palettes and patterns; I love bold jewelry and statement accessories. But there are also days where I play it cool in my urban sneakers and jeans. Other days, I’ll button up a blazer and throw on stilettos for a business meeting. Now that I’m a mom, comfy t-shirts and leggings are also an essential part of my life. What matters most to me is that I feel good in what I’m wearing and that I’m able to show up confidently for who and what is most important to me!
What is a sustainable closet for you?
A sustainable closet for me means one that is conscious. Every piece of clothing has an origin story and for me, it is important to consider where my clothing’s origin story begins. A sustainable closet contains clothes I feel good in, but that I am also proud of. In my opinion, it is not about constant change of items, the latest trends or high-designer names; a thrifted coat from a secondhand store can make me feel just as beautiful. My sustainable closet tells a story, not just about my style - but about what I value as well. Therefore, my sustainable closet does not need constant change of items because it consists of items that I love to wear again and again, it also includes a mix of second hand-clothes, remake and newer items produced in a sustainable way.
“I believe that fashion brands need to act more responsibly. They need to ensure that farmers and workers get paid enough and that their human rights are respected, and they need to commit to lowering the industry’s negative impact on the environment.”
What do you think about the fashion industry?
I think that it moves too fast. Over the last decades the industry has gone from introducing a few collections per year to releasing new trends every week. That is just not sustainable. I also think that there is a problem with green washing. Many fashion brands label their clothes as sustainable, even though they do not use third-party certifications. I think the industry needs to be much more transparent.
What do you believe needs to change?
Well, quite a few things. I think that the fashion industry needs to slow down and focus more on creating high quality timeless pieces that are produced in an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable way. I believe that fashion brands need to act more responsibly. They need to ensure that farmers and workersget paid enough and that their human rights are respected, and they need to commit to lowering the industry's negative impact on the environment. For this to happen I think we need legislation - binding human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) obligations for companies. Voluntary guidelines just are not enough.
“One of the best things we can do when it comes to fashion and the environment is to extend the life of the clothes that we have.”
What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?
Many things! Start by rediscovering your closet – make it a challenge to wear things you have not worn in a while for a week, maybe by trying on new combinations. If you find you have clothes that you really do not like or that don’t suit you anymore – let someone else have a chance of enjoying these pieces. One of the best things we can do when it comes to fashion and the environment is to extend the life of the clothes that we have.
When you buy something new make sure that it is produced in a sustainable way. The best way to do this is buy looking for third-part certifications like Fairtrade and GOTS. Combine newly produced clothing with second hand – this will create a more personal closet, as well as a more sustainable one.
Learn from your previous shopping mistakes. Identify which colours and shapes that you really like and try to see if there is a common denominator between the clothes that you never wear. I know many people talk about the “basic wardrobe” and that there are certain pieces of clothing that everyone should own. But I’m not sure that I agree. Most of these lists for example, include a white shirt and a black blazer – in my home those are the pieces that are left hanging on the rack. So, if you want to create a basic wardrobe make sure that it is inspired by you, not a checklist.
“So, if you want to create a basic wardrobe make sure that it is inspired by you, not a checklist.”
