INTERVIEW #1 TESS WALTENBURG
Photo: Marilia Bognandi
Tess has become a name in the sustainability lifestyle jungle at social media. Maybe not so surprising since she’s one of the founders of Sustainable Influencers, a network where I believe the name speaks for itself. The network currently have 9 391 followers on Instagram and the numbers are growing. Tess page has for a long time interested me since it’s well designed and stylish. Before I met her, I definitely thought she was a digital content creator since her content was so beautiful. Not the whole truth of her profession but this woman has style, is conscious about her lifestyle and has a big heart. So of course, I wanted to hear what this bohemian conscious ambitious soul had in mind regarding her closet.
“when I received a members letter from the fashion company H&M which said that I had shopped for 1000 SEK the last month.. I didn’t even remembered the stuff I had bought from them. I started to question myself, what am I doing?”
What’s your relationship with clothes?
I’ve always been interested in clothes, I used to shop a lot.. as a kid I used to dress out and play with clothes.. But I believe my wake-up call, regarding my consumption behaviour, came when I received a members letter from the fashion company H&M which said that I had shopped for 1000 SEK the last month. I didn’t even remembered the stuff I had bought from them. I started to question myself, what am I doing? And slowly I changed my behaviour and started to buy more second hand clothes and clothes with higher quality. During that process I also realised what kind of material I liked to wear, what feels good. My conclusion was natural material and not oil based like polyester.
I’ve always liked clothes, as I said, but have learned that I only want to own stuff that I value; shoes I can heel, clothes worth repairing and so on. I like to update my wardrobe so I do shop a lot at second hand and participate in cloth-exchanging events.
Since I became a mother I consume clothes more adoptable for a body which is changing. I want to wear clothes I feel comfortable in and the body doesn’t stay the same, most cloth for women are not suitable for a changing body so the items I buy and wear has to fit the criteria of a changing body. I also used to wear a lot of high heels, I don’t do that anymore. I want to be able to move freely!
How would you describe your style?
I believe I’m quite bohemian but I like natural colours. I do have colourful clothes too but I want it to be simple. I can wear a top with patterns but would then wear pants that are basic. There’s a lot of things I find stylish but my everyday life has to be convenient. But yes.. I would probably say bohemian with a touch of rock!
Your style should also go hand in hand with your lifestyle. I could be discomfortable for a whole night when I was younger just because I thought it looked good. Now I want my style to represent who I really am. Imagen all the nights I’ve suffered just because I wanted to look good..
“ I can easily give clothes away and buy something else. I never regretted anything I ever given away. A sweater I used to like just a year ago, I can happily donate to someone else that can find happiness in wearing it. ”
How would you describe your closet?
I actually don’t have many clothes. I’m the kind of person who buys a lot at second hand but I’m also very good at cleansing my wardrobe out. There’s enough clothes until next time I do laundry! My closet is a mix of dresses, pants, tops and so on and with a few accessories I really like. In that way I’m a minimalist. I like to have a few things but I’m not obsessed about stuff. I can easily give clothes away and buy something else. I never regretted anything I ever given away. I sweater I used to like just a year ago, I can happily donate to someone else that can find happiness in wearing it.
What is a sustainable closet for you?
A sustainbale closet is one with clothes you really like. For me it’s all about to love them and wear them. Since I’m not an expert in sustainable brands and what’s a good option when it comes to newly produced clothes, I just buy second hand. I also like to donate to give charity to others. And a sustainable closet is also about to look after your clothes, repear them and make them last.
What do you think about the fashion industry? What do you believe needs to change?
“If you realise what you’re actually like wearing then it’s easier to be more sustainable from the start.”
I believe what needs to change is the obsession with trends. Clothes can be a creative expression and change during times, inspired by artist or other things. An artistic expression that should be fun! It feels like the fashion industry wants to tame people and put them in the same box. It should be fun and playful. If someone seeks change, trends from fast fashion brands are not the thing, rather cloth-exchange events. That’s how you get something new and inspiring without doing harm. Fashion (with new collections and trends) is not so fun for me, but style is!
What can one do that seeks to create a more sustainable closet?
There are many ways! I’ve heard about people who turn the hanger the other way around to figure out how often they use their clothes.. but simply figure out what you actually like to wear. What do I really like? For some it might be clothes that has be given to me or something that has a certain material. Why do you like the clothes you like? Some people like to change their style and some like to remain the same. If you realise what you’re actually like wearing then it’s easier to be more sustainable from the start. I also believe you then consume less and you’ll not be affected by last-minute-shopping out of panic because you feel like you have nothing to wear. For a sustainbale closet, or sustainability in general, you need to be more patient. I’ve been for a long time searching for a special dress, but haven’t found it anywhere yet. It takes more time, but it’s also way more exciting to wait. When I found it I know it will give me way more joy! It makes me happier but also the planet. That’s my perspective on a sustainable closet.