INTERVIEW #78 HELENA KINDSTRÖM

Name: Helena Kindström

Occupation: Teacher

Based in: Tyresö

Instagram: @emmashelena

Why we love her: Helena makes us want to sew sew sew! Her unique home made designs and redesigns are pure art. Follow her for inspiration and to get your creative juices flow, because that’s the impact Helena got. 

Tell us about yourself?

I’m a 40 year old, born in Umeå, living in Stockholm for the past 13 years but the last few years we moved out of the city to Tyresö in a house where I,  my husband and son are enjoying life close to nature. One of the best parts moving into a house is the attic where I have my own little studio just for sewing. I sew a lot, almost only from recycled fabric bought second hand. When I’m not sewing I’m working as a teacher, teaching biology and physical education, also a big hobby of mine, sports. From age 6 to 26 I spent most of my time on the football field, nowadays watching my son play. I have always loved to sew, I think it’s the creativity that drives me, I mean sewing in school was actually really boring. I don’t like to follow patterns made by others but I love to create, just starting with an idea and trying to make it real along the way. 

What’s your relationship with clothes?

My grandmother and mother has always been really interested in clothes so I got inspired by them at an early age I think. My relationship has changed a lot, sometimes being toxic, as never being satisfied what I look like or what to wear and sometimes being so satisfying, like now, when I’m creating my own clothes. I have the past year mostly bought second hand clothes which is not only good for the planet, but also for your own style, not being a slave to trends in the same way, and for your wallet.

How would you describe your style?

Sporty chic?! This was a hard one. I love Scandinavian fashion, clean lines and simplicity. I often combine a cute skirt or dress with sneakers or a leather jacket.

Any favourite items?

Sneakers! I have too many. And of course dresses. 

How would you describe your closet? 

Messy! I love dresses and have a lot. That's why I have started to sell some of the items I’ve been sewing. 

Favorite stores or brands to shop from?

Stores: Tradera, Sellpy, Möjlighetermas hus, PMU second hand. 

Brands: Rodebjer, Adidas, Ganni, H&M, Marimekko.

Do you have a style icon, if yes, who?

No, not really. I get inspirerad of a lot of people.

What is a sustainable closet for you?

Shortly, a closet that has a low impact on our planet. Garments of good quality that will have a long life, reused clothing and remade stuff. 

What do you think about the fashion industry? 

Crazy! The industry drives us to buy a lot by producing a lot of collections. But also lovely as well in all the beauty it’s creating for us to watch and wear. 

What do you believe needs to change?

The way we buy, the way the companies make us believe that we have to buy a lot. How clothes are produced, the fact that a lot of people work for almost nothing and at the same time is being poisoned by making them is outrageous. And of course our way of destroying our planet through fast fashion is devastating. The companies need to take more responsibility by producing with less impact on our planet. Today a lot of fashion companies are using the ECO label to sell more, for example, producing one product that is ECO friendly and then selling a lot of the rest of their products which are not.  We need to change the way we consume, the way we produce and the way we live. It's not an easy answer but everyone must and can participate! 

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

Buy second hand, buy remake (like the ones I’m sewing) Swap with friends. If you buy new, buy sustainable and high quality. Take care of your clothes, do not wash too often, repair if needed and let them have a circular life by donating or selling them second hand. I think small changes are good enough, maybe you are privileged to consume expensive eco and ethical clothing or maybe you do your best by buying some of the clothing that you need second hand. Compared with eating meat, I eat meat but I eat less nowadays and I think that that’s good enough and all changes in a positive direction is great, even small.