INTERVIEW #7 SEBASTIAN SANCHEZ
I met Sebastian at Red Cross Second Hand pop-up at Nacka Forum (fashion mall). I was very impressed by his style and warmhearted personality. We quickly connected and I got to know that he’s a fashion designer and a big fan of second hand. So I had to ask him to share his perspectives on the fashion industry and a sustainable closet.
Occupation:
Creative artist and fashion designer.
What’s your relationship with clothes?
I grow up in a family with not so many resources and I got interest in fashion design and arts when I was a teenager. The social environment made me desire something I couldn’t afford. I started to find creative ways to make similar clothes as the expensive brands. I was determinate to make my dream come true. When I started to go to the fashion school I was very much against the education I was given. They thought things that I felt was unnecessary and not according to what I thought I paid for. So I started to investigate myself. I went to other social environments like second hand and got interested in remade and remake. The normal final-year project wasn’t for me, I didn’t know how to sew, I tried to figure out how to make clothes in my way. My final school projected ended up in a non-conventional way. I did a project related to remake based on second hand clothes and I succeeded.
I would therefor probably say that my relationship with clothes is personal, non-conventional and creative. I did it may way. I didn’t want to do what everyone else was doing.
My interest in remake and sustainability comes purely from that angle. I wanted to go against the norm of how people should dress and behave. I didn’t want to follow the mainstream so I started to experiment to find my own style through second hand. The whole environmental part came as bonus.
How would you describe your style?
My style is always in constant evolution. I always want the hype item at the market but I never buy it because it usually cost a lot and I know I’ll get bored of it really quick. I think twice and I rather prefer to spend the money on second hand where you can find more durable items and it’s sustainable.
Regarding styles I use a lot of hats. Hats for work, a pick-nick or whatever. I always look for hats. Today I’m wearing black but I could have worn another colour. I change styles very often. I like to experiment with different kinds of styles. I take inspiration from many sources, then combine everything to create a personal kind of aesthetic.
How would you describe your closet?
My closet at the moment is very empty. Just a few weeks ago I donated to Red Cross Second Hand. I have like two pants, three t-shirt and just a few boots.. Now I’m looking for new items and a few selected things. Things I can wear a lot right now. I would like to buy a really nice jacket. I’m looking at second hand and get most my clothes from there, except my basics.
What is a sustainable closet for you?
For me it’s about to think twice before you buy anything. Do I really need it and how many times am I going to use it?
What do you think about the mainstream fashion industry?
Oh my God! It’s so fucked up. It’s consuming.. the mainstream global fashion is not thinking about sustainability at all. I’ve been so tired with fashion.. that’s why I started to study art instead for a while. The mainstream business fashion model is about getting consumers to spend their money, they overuse resources, guides people to buy this and that and in the end, it’s very superficial.. people never get satisfied. After been wearing some clothes during one season you want to change them again to fit in next season. The fashion industry also promote things most people can’t afford so you’re being tricked that you really need it even though you can’t afford it. It’s a capitalistic pig.
What do you believe needs to change?
Education is needed for change to happen. Both education among designers in fashion schools, business and consumers. It’s where it needs to start. But my list could be very long so I’ll just say education, that’s the starting point.
Just like myself, I’m learning new things all the time on how we can do better since we been doing wrong for such a long time.
What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?
Try to think twice before you buy anything, and again, ask yourself if it’s something you really need! Be careful, do not fall into traps based on brands marketing and social culture, where they say you need things! You don’t need anything. Your closet and style is up to you!