INTERVIEW #61 ZENAB MAHMOOD

Based in: Oslo

Occupation: Teacher

Get inspired by: colors, people and the nature

Instagram: @zenabs.syrom

Why we love her: Zenab really goes her own way which we find very inspiring. Her up-cycles and re-makes are beyond beautiful, to not forget about the natural dyeing projects she recently has gotten very into and good at. A true change maker!

Tell us about yourself?

I am a 34 year old mom of two, married with my best friend, living an urban but earth friendly life in the heart of Oslo (Grunerløkka). I think everybody has a responsibility and that all of us can do something to make the world a better place for the next generation. My way of doing it is buying next to nothing new, I have to eat, hehe! I try to buy less wrapped/packaged stuff, I try not to use plastic. I thrift all my fabric and my latest obsession, I have deep dived in the world of natural dyeing. And last but not least I try to buy locally and from small scale shops and boutiques if i buy something new.

What’s your relationship with clothes?
I love them, I love making them and I love mending them, all things with clothes are good.

“I think everybody has a responsibility and that all of us can do something to make the world a better place for the next generation.”

How would you describe your style?

Colorful, loose fitting scandinavian minimalism with a hint of street fashion.

Any favourite items?

A kimono made from my mom's old dupatta (a really large scarf used with Pakistani clothing) and some summer dresses made out of thrifted fabric.

How would you describe your closet? 

Colorful, too many jeans (I am really good in using all of them, except the maternity ones, hehe) and way toooo many hijabs and I have stopped counting all the blazers and jackets I have thrifted and made through the years.

What is a sustainable closet for you?

A closet you feel happy to see, because you feel calm inside because it's a nice collection of items which have been carefully chosen, thrifted or made out of things which are already there. For me it's also important that my closet have garments which can last long and are environmentally friendly both in terms of fabrics, natural materials and the latest thing I also have thought of are the chemicals which being used in coloring our garments, therefor I have gone all in for natural dyeing practice.

“For me it’s important that my closet have garments which can last long and are environmentally friendly both in terms of fabrics, natural materials and the latest thing I also have thought of are the chemicals which being used in coloring our garments, therefor I have gone all in for natural dyeing practice.”

What do you think about the fashion industry? 

There's too much pollution, and too much clothes being made. The industry should focus on using the resources we already have. I have myself stopped buying new fabrics, I just thrift my textiles or buy them second hand. And every time I make something I keep thinking about how sad it is how little the garment workers get paid. Last year I saw the movie "Made in Bangladesh" with my students. Seriously, I began weeping, because it was really devastating. Those poor conditions are a reality for so many people and they are exploited because of consumption behaviors of the western world. We all have a responsibility. We can all buy less and mend more.

What do you believe needs to change?

Some is answered above already. But the industry has to understand more about the responsibility and we buyers have to buy less new and more second hand.

What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?

First of all I would recommend people to sew their own clothes, it's so satisfying. And the first coupIe of things you make will probably look awful, but then it will be so much better. Second, if you can't sew or don’t want to start, buy thrifted and second hand, gather lots of friends and you can shop from each other's closets. And the last thing for me, mend mend mend, if there’s a hole, you don't have to discard it, you just have to give it some love .

“I would recommend people to sew their own clothes, it’s so satisfying. And the first coupIe of things you make will probably look awful, but then it will be so much better.”