INTERVIEW #38 IRIS FARAH

“I tend never to describe myself. I don’t like to be put in a box, where I’m only allowed to wear certain kind of clothes.”

What’s your relationship with clothes?

It’s my twilights zone. It’s my armour but it’s also how I produce myself. I grow up in a family that are Muslims, so protecting yourself with clothing is something we talk about ä. For most of my life it felt more secure to wear more covering clothes. But, now I feel safe wearing  what I feel like when it comes to expressing myself. I wear clothes to become the person I want. Everything that is me, that’s how I dress. It’s my biggest love affair, it’s all about me. My clothes concern me, it’s myself-care and therapy. 

How would you describe your style?

I tend never to describe myself. I don’t like to be put in a box, where I’m only allowed to wear certain kind of clothes. My style is very changeable and depends on everything from feelings to what inspires me atm. You can define fashion but never sense of style. It’s just me what ever that may be. 

“Treat them like your friends, you don’t just change friends.”

How would you describe your closet?

Manic. At the moment I’m renovating so its hectic. Sometimes my closet scares me. I would love for it to stay organised. Some people have seasons I tend to have split seconds meaning everything is a go. A fucking battle field. 

What is a sustainable closet for you?

Is a closet that doesn’t cause damage to our planet. It’s also about having a privilege to own closets with good memories, where you can remember good and bad times. It’s about having all of your best friends there, sharing those memories with you. A sentence that comes to mind Is “ breeding new life to what you all ready have”. 

“Strong leadership and some new blood, that’s what we need.”

What do you think about the fashion industry? 

The first word that comes to my mind is copying. It feels like the fashion industry is about copying creative artistic work and put it into mass production without concern. I’m pro selling a dream where you can look, feel and be in a certain way. That why it is of importance to be accountable. Something special like style that comes from within shouldn’t give grief. 

What do you believe needs to change?

Except for everything… we have to enforce rules or create another industry. There should be proper rules for workers, what materials you use and so on. Everything can change if we want to. How we use the water and what we put out into the water. I love jeans and I like to eat meat, if you are able to choose be mindful. It’s a privilege, making a choice that doesn’t have to cause such a big harm. We need to put consciousness into the big stores to have guidelines. How can we do less damage? Just being a humanbeing causes damage. How can we lessenit but still be affordable? Strong leadership and some new blood, that’s what we need. 

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

●     Buy less!

●      Try to engage with your clothing, make sure you use what you have! Don’t buy clothes just for one accusations. Combine and be creative! It will save money and it will make your clothing fun! Treat them like your friends, you don’t just change friends. You can mend and change them, engage! It’s a winning concept to buy less. If you need more flavor secondhand is the golden key. 

“It’s a privilege, making a choice that doesn’t have to cause such a big harm.”