INTERVIEW #5 JENNIE DAHLÉN
I met Jennie in the jungle of sustainability enthusiasts without knowing she was one of the writers being the book that has inspired me to create a sustainable closet in the first place. Jennie is an organisational developer for volunteers at Stockholms Stadsmission and writer of the Swedish book Slow fashion – your guide to smart and sustainable fashion. Her minimalistic and stylish approach to fashion gives perspectives and will calm you down if you haven’t figured out how to be a consumer of second hand yet.
What’s your relationship with clothes?
I’ve been working with clothes for more than 10 years. Both within fast fashion and with more specific brands. You can say that I came from the mainstream fashion industry and changed side. The last few years has been more about conscious and sustainable consumption. Recently I’ve been working with the sustainable brand Remake. Personally I’ve always been very interested in fashion. I was a fast fashion consumer when I was young, but today I’m more of a minimalist.
How would you describe your style?
My style is simple, comfortable and minimalistic. What normally attracts me is the shape of the clothes before the colours. I’m looking for a nice silhouette. I’m quite monochrome because it goes hand in hand with dressing in a simple way. It should be easy to dress. I used to have way more colours in my wardrobe and way more clothes. Today, it has to be easier to dress.
How would you describe your closet?
My closet is small and old. I actually don’t have a lot of clothes. Most of them are several years old. I seldom shop clothes and most of them stays in the same colours. I counted my clothes two or three years ago and back then I had about 80 items including shoes, sportswear and outerwear. Underwear’s not included. I guess it’s more or less the same now. I don’t do a lot of second hand shopping because I don’t like to spend time on shopping. But if I do look for something specific I can start with second hand but I do buy newly produced clothes too. Most of my clothes I’ve bought newly produced but I have used them a lot! I enjoy looking after my clothes, even if they get broken. I’m also interested in materials, I want to use materials that feels good on and for the body. I rather not use polyester and other synthetic fibres because I don’t like the feel of it.
What is a sustainable closet for you?
A sustainable closet for me is one that last for a long time. Every item in the closet is regularly used. It’s also about liking your clothes, I’ve bought them because they’re among the most beautiful things I’ve seen. The clothes I buy, they stay with me until they die. For some people is about circulating clothes, but I buy with higher quality, very seldom and I think about it before I buy anything. For example, this autumn I bought a coat made out of wool that I’ve been thinking about for a long time. When I found the right silhouette I bought it and I’m planning to wear it for at least ten years.
What do you think about the fashion industry?
I think the fashion industry is out of fashion. It has no future in its current form. That is noticed on their sales performance as well. The big brands are trying to act more sustainable but their efforts are not enough. The whole business model needs to change.
What do you believe needs to change?
The speed needs to change. The fashion companies need to slow down the speed and produce fewer items with higher quality. There’s so many aspects that needs to be addressed in the current way of production, working conditions and all the environmental aspects just to mention a few.
What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?
Personally I stopped visiting stores and stopped using consumption as a source of inspiration. That was my first step to consume less. That made me reflect before I bought something new, and ask myself whether I needed it or not. It’s also important to look after your clothes and be aware of what your closet looks like. There are plenty of creative ideas out there, for example allow yourself to only wear 10 garments for a month, or to start using every single garment in your closet. Find different ways to inspire you. Go to second hand stores, arrange a clothes swap or a repair night with your friends. Use fashion as a way of coming together!