INTERVIEW #50 KEN MOGEKWU
“After being a part of the Fact Movement, I’ve been thinking about different stages of clothing production, the consumption and the recycling processes. Having a sustainable closet is having all those stages in mind.”
What’s your relationship with clothes?
Clothes is a way to express myself. I see myself as an artist who is able to create art through clothes and at the same time express my identity through fashion. It is my creative zone and also a way to boost my confidence. I look into the mirror, and I'm like, yeah, today I look good. The smile and confidence that comes with a nice outfit has always fascinated me. There’s a saying:
How you dress is how people address you. It can be unfortunate, people will respond and judge you depending on how you dress. It can be good, people are often nice to you when you dress nice.
How did you become a stylist?
I started my styling career recently. I started when I was living in Amsterdam. I have always been interested in fashion in general. So I started to style my friends and so on. Slowly it grew and I got more customers. But it has been difficult to pick up the work due to the pandemic. I started with friends because of my interest and now it has become part of my lif.
How would you describe your style?
I get this question often and I don’t have a good answer. My style is constantly evolving. This week I feel corporate and the week after I can be dressed in street style. My style is here and there. I was able to afford the clothes I wanted only a few years back. That was when I could make the active choices of choosing what I would wear. And I am still experimenting.
“In a dream scenario everything would be ethically sourced from small companies and having a capsule wardrobe with clothes I really need.”
How would you describe your closet?
I call my closet a beautiful mess. It is very messy. But every time I go in there it feels like a gold mine. It is not organised but in the chaos I find my treasures. My closet is a beautiful mess.
What is a sustainable closet for you?
After being a part of the Fact Movement, I’ve been thinking about different stages of clothing production, the consumption and the recycling processes. Having a sustainable closet is having all those stages in mind. Before you buy something you think; How has the clothes been produced? How often will I use it? Is this an item I really like and will I use it regularly? Unfortunately my closet is not sustainable. It is my goal to have one. In a dream scenario everything would be ethically sourced from small companies and having a capsule wardrobe with clothes I really need. Our resources are not infinite so we all should make an effort to get a sustainable closet.
“Our resources are not infinite so we all should make an effort to get a sustainable closet.”
What do you think about the fashion industry?
In general I really like the industry because I am a part of it as a stylist. But there are also so many problems. The industry is among the top polluters in the world. It has a lot of problems which should definitely be acted upon. We can’t go back to the way things used to be. We need to be more sustainable. Resources are not infinite. We need that perspective and need to stop producing just for the sake of producing. I love the creativity of the fashion industry. All the new designs coming every season, it is amazing but not sustainable.
What do you believe needs to change?
The way we produce and the way we consume clothes must change. On the production stage we have to think about the environment. We need to think about how the clothes are going to be used. As consumers we need to also change. Today we buy things we don’t really need. Just speaking of myself, I have a closet with clothes I don’t need. I am doing my best to make it as sustainable as possible and I want people to also be aware and try to make their wardrobe sustainable. The whole chain needs to change from producers to consumers.
What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?
My tip is to go to your closet and identify what you really need. And make a list if there is something you think is missing. Really think about it before you buy! In general we often just buy because it is on sale, we are looking for that kick. If you must buy something new,then try to buy it second handhand. Look after the things you already have.. If you have pants that are too big you can go to the tailor and fix it. It is easier said than done. You don’t have to be perfect, but you can start by becoming aware.