INTERVIEW #70 KRISTINA GULIN

Based in: London, UK

Occupation: Secondary school teacher

Instagram: @barbsvintage

Inspired by: Rosa Parks, Christine Caine, Marilyn Monroe, Marcus Rashford however when it comes to sustainable fashion I would say accounts such as: @fairfashionistafilippa, @mrs_makingdo, @deidrecloset, @mrsd_preloved_finds &  @northstyle.ish

Why we love her: I wanted to reach out to Kristina the minute I came across her amazing feed. Her creative outfits make you smile, and you can expect a lot of amazing colors combined perfectly. She creates her own rules when it comes to style and expression, which I absolutely love. With other words, a true change maker and inspiration on the subject of pre-loved fashion!

Hi Kristina! Tell us about yourself and your background?

I am a 41 year old chick originally from the north of Sweden. I am a mother and a teacher and live with my son in Battersea, London UK. I have been living in London for 16 years now. Shopping and especially second hand shopping has long been a passion of mine. I have always hunted for a bargain and the decision not to buy new is not something ‘new’ for me. 11 years ago I had my baby and at the time I was a single mother and didn’t have lots of money so clothes for myself and my baby were second hand- all the way through. 
However, when I studied at University I had a weekend job in a clothes shop so fashion has always been close to my heart. These few years of working in retail got me interested in fashion, and it also taught me how to find my own style and how to dress smart and classy. I am so privileged to be living in the Mecca of fashion – London- and I get people commenting on my clothes every day.
I love telling them that it's thrifted or home sewed.

What’s your relationship with clothes and style?

I have always had my own style, even as a small child my mum told me I wanted to dress myself. I love colours and I actually don’t distinguish between work and leisure clothes. I have to wear smart clothes for work so the only difference is denim, which I only use in my spare time. My mother has always been very careful with her clothes and I have a few dresses and suits that she has made or worn when younger. 

I did textiles in school and that gave me the foundation for knowing how to use a sewing machine and this summer I made three dresses from old sheets (bought in local charity shops). I love how the posh ladies on Pavilion Road, Chelsea came up to me and asked where I bought my dress! I tend to follow trends in some ways, but most of my clothes I’ve had for years and I don’t care if they are in or out of fashion. Like my Levi’s denim jacket, I bought it in 2003 and it has been with me since then. A jacket like that I would never get rid off.

With only three words, how would you describe your own style?

If I would use three words to describe my style I would say: colourful, bold and a bit bonkers.

Any favorite items in your closets?

I love all my clothes and find it difficult to get rid of them.  At the moment it's my pink Zara suit, my leather skirt and my vintage black YSL coat.

According to you, what garment is a ”must have” and why?

A must have in every woman’s wardrobe is a pair of denims, a fun blouse, a comfy skirt, good shoes/boots and a blazer.

What do you think about the fashion industry?

There are lots of things that we all can do to live more sustainable lives when it comes to fashion. First of all, stop buying new clothes all the time!  Second – use the clothes you have. 

I often look for inspiration on Pinterest and it often turns out that I already have a lot that I never thought of matching.
Sometimes we need to buy new and I acknowledge that, like running shoes (as I have problem with my feet) however I always give them to Charity shops once they are worn out. 

I have also inspired my 11 year old son to shop sustainable and he loves strolling through charity shops with me on a Saturday. He is a skater and his last two Nike skater shoes he got from @faracharityshops and @wandsworthoasis – he also finds his oversized tees and skater jeans from there. So my point is that parents have a responsibility to teach children about the impact of living sustainably. It’s more than buying second hand, it’s also a mindset.

Is there anything special you’re usually looking for when entering a vintage/thrift shop?
When I shop in a thrifted shop I always start by sticking to my list of needs. Like now, I really want an oversized knitted jumper (that I can take the sleeves off and make into a vest) or (another) pair of 501’s. I am also on the look for a comfy pair of shoes as I am recovering from foot surgery and can’t really fit into normal shoes yet. I also look for vintage clothes and I don’t really care if they are my ‘size’, meaning I don’t just look for clothes in size 10. If I like a jumper and it’s a 12 or 14 I don’t care. I know my size so often I don't need to try things on to know they fit me. 40 years of trying on clothes, ha ha. I tend to want to buy designer clothes but if I like a piece of clothes and it's from Primark I honestly don’t care (however I only have one pleated golden skirt from Primark, I tend not to buy it due to ethical reasons, and also the quality is not ideal).