#Can you upcycle fast fashion? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sapphicteaparty · 1 year

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i've NEVER seen a single good faith discussions about pleather on this website and i want ppl to think critically for one second about the way businesses talk about their products. "vegan leather" is purely a marketing term and nothing else. it was invented by the fashion industry and it has nothing to do with vegans or veganism.

"vegan leather" is basically made of polyester (a type of plastic), but crucially a lot of clothes nowadays are made of polyester either fully or partially because it's cheaper to produce. so of course clothing companies are going to be producing and marketing things that make them more money.

these products are not even targeting vegans, they're making an average customer feel better about their purchases, same way they are now putting "eco" labels on some of their organic cotton clothing. it's just greenwashing. NOTHING in fast fashion is eco friendly in any way - this whole industry is extremely wasteful an exploitative on every level. when are ppl going to realize that these companies just say anything they can to make it seem like they care about anything other than their profit margins. because they don't.

my wish is that ppl that talk about how bad pleather is and how vegans are apparently responsible for all of the microplastic pollution in the world also talked or cared even a little bit about the absolutely horrific abuse and exploitation that happens in the clothing and fast fashion industry. talk about how this industry consistently fails (or outright refuses) to pay its workers a living wage or how they don't provide them humane working conditions - and how that led to thousands of garment workers dying and getting injured when a garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh (and that's not the only tragedy this industry is directly responsible for).

also microplastics are only the tip of the iceberg if you want to talk about the pollution that the clothing industry is responsible for (toxic chemicals and pesticides used in cotton production, garment dyes, the disposal of textile waste etc) - all of which has direct human costs tied to it.

but if your only concern ever was microplastics that clothes can shed then great! avoid all polyester and plastic clothing. but did you know textiles aren't even the primary microplastic contaminants? it's plastic bags, bottles and fishing nets by far. most ppl can't always avoid these plastic items in daily life. but do you eat fish? vegans don't.

i'm just so tired of the pleather discussion focusing on the wrong thing (vegans) when there are so many more aspects about the clothing industry and plastic pollution that never get addressed when they should. and the amount of misinformation on these topics is just laughable at this point. ppl sure enjoy reblogging posts that confirm their biases and free them from having to critically engage with complicated issues because it's so easy to just blame a group of ppl for it.

anyway if you're concerned about ethical clothing (i hope you are) then basically these are your best options:

wear what you already have and don't buy new clothes unless necessary

get second hand clothes

get upcycled clothes

this may seem a bit extreme but these are the only options that don't result in new clothes and textiles being produced because there is an overproduction issue in the clothing industry which is why over 80% of clothes end up in landfills. obviously these options aren't viable for everyone all the time but if the goal is sustainability then that's just the reality of things for now.

you can also do things like mend your clothes so they last longer, learn to sew to make your own clothes etc all of that is better than buying new clothes. donating clothes to a thrift store is also not ideal since they get so many donations that a lot of it ends up in a landfill anyway and recycling clothes is also not straightforward or even possible in a lot of cases. so not buying new/more clothes is the most environmentally friendly option. and before you go no ethical consumption under capitalism blah blah yeah we know. doesn't mean you are powerless and have no choices in anything ever.

please learn more about microplastics, the clothing/textile industry and veganism before you uncritically reblog another misinformed post about "vegan leather" or microplastics. also please don't uncritically believe what i wrote here either. if you're seriously interested in these topics then your source for this information shouldn't be some tumblr post in the first place. there are lot of studies, documentaries and articles about all the things i mentioned. i'm not a researcher or a scientist, so don't ask me. i'm just tired.

#vegan leather #veganism #pleather #fast fashion #long post #not interested in discussion tbh #i'm just venting #do ppl that are obsessed with pleather even read clothing labels #do you know where your clothes were made #do you know who made them #and do you know how much they were paid for their labor?#why aren't you mad about that

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envirogoth · 2 years

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I already own fast fashion/I can only afford to buy fast fashion, now what?

>Sustain what you buy-sewing, washing, and an attitude that cares about the garment

>Fast fashion can break or wear out easily, you can upcycle the fabric

cut out prints for other projects

use fabric for patches

use fabric to repair other clothes

cut off sleeves/collars/make into crop top

t-shirt bags (an option- but inconvenient to use from personal experience)

other non-clothing crafts

>If you won’t use the clothing item and want to give it away, ask people you know before donating to a thrift store. Thrift stores are already overrun with fast fashion as it is, try not to give them more. But if the only other option is throwing it away, it’s fine to donate it.

>Don't buy excess to what you need. yes you can keep up with trends and accessories but hauls or multiple of an item with the same purpose isn't necessary (ex. more t-shirts than what you can cycle regularly)

>Reduce future fast fashion purchases

If possible consider alternatives such as thrifting, rummage sale shopping, and diy.

Thrift stores and rummage sales support local economics! Your money is going to your neighbors instead of a company.

Rummage sales are preferable to places such as depop, becasue it involves local neighbors who want to get rid of clothes (that will possibly be thrown out otherwise) They can be much cheaper for much higher quality.

>There’s a difference between not being able to afford any other clothes, and buying hauls of fast fashion to wear for a short period of time only to donate immediately or throw away. Influencers who make hundreds of dollars worth of hauls aren’t the type of people who can say “i can’t afford anything else”. hauls aren’t sustainable.

>Don’t feel guilty if you truly can’t afford anything else, but please consider your options and sustain what you already own before buying more.

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viatnamisemossyfrog · 1 year

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Hullo people!

Lets rant about very niche problems

I love tumblr goblincore imbraising childhood joy and the beauty of nature but i fugging despise ticktock goblincore like wow you prioritize a stupid fucking aesthetic over your care of the environment by buying fast fashion like you can still be goblincore even better i would argue you can go into nature and collect things and pick up ways to upcycle and make clothes, when i argued with people on ticktock they always brought up like only being able to afford other clothes. Yeah if that is where you have to buy clothes i understand but there is a difference between that and buying a new set of clothes to fit some aesthetic you saw like this is a huge issue with fast fashion and gen z as a hole but its just that extra bit worse with a nature based aesthetic. Just adding insult to injury.

#goblincore #Shein #fast fashion #rant #lgbtq

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phuongngabui · 2 months

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Week 6: Social Media Influencers and the Slow Fashion Movement

Welcome to the Slow Fashion Guidebook!

The fashion industry, notorious for its rapid trends and fleeting styles, has a dark side. Its environmental impact, from resource depletion to textile waste, is undeniable, while ethical concerns regarding worker exploitation and unfair wages remain prevalent (Maiti 2024). But there's a growing movement challenging this unsustainable cycle: slow fashion. Enter the slow fashion movement guidebook, which will help you navigate from the fast-paced world of fast fashion to the more mindful and sustainable path of slow fashion. Buckle up and get ready to transform your wardrobe with purpose!

Step 1: Fast Fashion Diagnose

Understanding the Problem: Let's look at your current shopping habits.

Do you often buy new clothes?

Are you influenced by trends on socmed?

Have you ever researched about the brands/company you buy from?

Do you still feel like you need to buy more clothes every time an event comes up?

Do your clothes malfunction easily?

If the answer is yes to more than 2 out of these 5, maybe it's because you're a victim of fast fashion.

Step 2: Reduce and Restyle

Declutter Your Closet: Tired of feeling overwhelmed by your clothes? Time for a closet clean-up! Imagine opening your closet and finding only clothes you love to wear, not forgotten trends and unworn stuff. Let's declutter like Marie Kondo! Hold each item and ask: "does it spark joy?" If it makes you smile, keep it! If not, donate it, sell it, or give it a new life (think: cleaning cloths from old tees or a tote bag from worn-out jeans!) (Garrity 2021). It's okay if it takes time – start with a category like tops, then celebrate your progress! So go forth and declutter with joy!

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Mindful Shopping Habits: Say goodbye to impulse buys and hello to mindful shopping! Before hitting the stores (or online carts), set realistic budgets based on your income and priorities. Instead of chasing fleeting trends, define your personal style – what colors, silhouettes, and fabrics make you feel confident and comfortable? Create mood boards or wish lists to stay focused and avoid getting swept away by the latest fad. Shopping mindfully isn't just about saving money, it's about building a wardrobe that reflects your true self and values.

Quality over Quantity: Invest in well-made, timeless pieces that will last through seasons. Think classic silhouettes, neutral colors, and versatile basics you can mix and match endlessly. Focus on natural fabrics like organic cotton and linen – they're not only soft and comfortable, but also more sustainable than synthetic options (Brewer 2019). Imagine: a wardrobe filled with fewer, high-quality pieces you truly love, instead of overflowing with trendy discards. It's a shift in mindset, but the payoff is huge – lasting style, conscious choices, and a closet that sparks joy, not guilt. Remember, quality over quantity is the new mantra!

Embrace Renting and Secondhand: Ditch the designer price tags and embrace the thrill of the hunt! Secondhand shopping isn't just about saving money, it's about unearthing unique treasures with character and history. Thrift stores, vintage shops, renting stores and online marketplaces are your treasure troves, bursting with pre-loved gems waiting to be discovered. So, skip the mall and embark on a secondhand and renting adventure – you might just find your new favorite outfit and contribute to a more sustainable fashion future!

Step 3: Slow Fashion Lifestyle - Love your clothes

Caring for Your Clothes: Learn proper washing, drying, and storage techniques to extend the lifespan of your garments.

Get Creative: Embrace mending and alterations to give pre-loved pieces a new lease on life. Upcycle old clothes into new treasures!

Spread the Word: Share your slow fashion journey with friends and family. Encourage them to join the movement and make conscious choices.

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All of this could be a phase you tried, but if you want it to last, you have to make it a routine of loving your clothes. The way you dress is a representation of who you are as a person, so let's try to make a conscious choice before purchasing. You are not a representation of every micro-fashion trend; do not let it run you over, but rather take control of your own body image and present yourself as who you are!

Slow fashion is a journey, not a destination.

It's about making mindful choices, appreciating quality, and valuing ethical production. Start small, explore these resources, and enjoy the process of building a more sustainable and stylish wardrobe!

By embracing slow fashion, you not only transform your wardrobe, but also contribute to a more responsible and sustainable future for our planet and its people. Start today, one conscious choice at a time!

References

Brewer, MK 2019, “Slow Fashion in a Fast Fashion World: Promoting Sustainability and Responsibility,” Laws, viewed on February 25, 2024, <https://doi.org/10.3390/laws8040024>.

Garrity, A 2021, “What Is the KonMari Method? Here’s How to Declutter the Marie Kondo Way,” Good Housekeeping, viewed on February 25, 2024, <https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/a25846191/what-is-the-konmari-method/>.

Maiti, R 2024, “Fast Fashion and Its Environmental Impact in 2024 | Earth.Org,” Earth.Org, viewed on February 25, 2024, <https://earth.org/fast-fashions-detrimental-effect-on-the-environment/#:~:text=The%20Dark%20Side%20of%20Fast%20Fashion&text=It%20dries%20up%20water%20sources,of%2050%20billion%20plastic%20bottles.>.

Rauturier, S 2023, “A Beginner’s Guide to More Sustainable Fashion,” Good On You, viewed on February 25, 2024, <https://goodonyou.eco/guide-sustainable-fashion/>.

#mda20009 #slow fashion #slow fashion movement #sustainable #Youtube

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spicysidesalad · 2 years

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Stop shopping fast fashion please thanks. We have enough clothes on the world and also we have enough of the same mf people walking around. So sick of seeing uninspired gals strutting their shein, Zara, h&m Bs on their TikToks or reels. You think you are fashion if you can buy $3 poorly constructed shit from a webshop. Seriously stop. You don’t need to influence anyone into buying more of this stuff. CLOTHES ARE NEVER MACHINE MADE. Please take a sewing lesson to know how much labour goes into making your cute y2k top. There is always multiple people behind the making of all of your bershka bought Bs. And GUESS WHAT. We been through y2k… we already had WAAAAY too many clothes on planet earth back then and 80% of the time those clothes are still wandering around somewhere. So if you really want to be inspirational, get your stuff from a thrift shop or buy it off a boomer. I don’t care what you do but stop supporting companies like shein or Zara. Not only are they exploiting people… They are destroying the world. Please educate yourself and shop local. Look for designers who are able to upcycle your old clothes or whatever… doesn’t have to cost the world. I am not saying I’m perfect or whatever I still have so much to learn and I’m typing this on my overpriced iPhone from my privileged apartment sitting on my overtrained glutes, but this is something so close to my heart. Please try to find the beauty in second hand shopping/ trading clothes with your friends etc. Try to see the value of every person-made garment u own (which is everything)

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therealityhelix · 1 year

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Shards of the Nexus: Distortion Mirror

Multiversal coincidence can be a real bitch.

Song: This Ain’a a Scene, it’s an Arms Race-Fall Out Boy

@cardwrecks @captainbaddecisions

This could not be happening.

Gods, gods in the sky. Prismatic fire blossoming in the air, devouring everything. Hot cast iron, burnt sugar, sizzling sausage.

Lively emerald eyes staring down in last, agonized moments-

Lively emerald eyes staring down in callous bemusement.

Kiwi tang, antifreeze, and all her love condensed into a convoluted walnut shell maze of anguish, grinding away her spiritual scaffolding like a rasp.

Emerald eyes and coffee-dark hair, shorter than she remembered, but his. The beauty of his sculpted face, carved ivory, harsher than she remembered, but his. The wire twist of his mouth, not smiling as she remembered, but his. Undeniably his. Undeniably him.

Her husband had been dead these past eleven years, but this was undeniably him. Him, in all his radiant, arrogant perfection, like he hadn't aged a day. He was looking at her for the first time in a lifetime, the most beautiful thing in existence.

And she couldn't breathe. She couldn't breathe, the duplicitous orm of hope coiling inside her ribs, and she reached out one trembling hand. If she could touch him, if she could touch him, she could make him real, make him live again, and everything she had ever done to survive would be worth it.

If she could just touch him...

He stepped away from her outstretched fingers, a disdainful expression crossing his face.

“Hey, are you dying? If you're going to die, could you do it somewhere else? I don't intend to murder anyone today, so if any death gets pinned on me, I'd like it to be on purpose.”

The voice. Cicada screech at sundown, too-tart lemonade. The song of a hornet just above the head, fine if friendly, devastating if not.

The voice was wrong.

The hope shattered, it's scornful shards pinning her to this time, this place, this reality, this man.

Her love remained in the one place she could not reach. This man was a stranger. A stranger that looked down on her without a shred of warmth or recognition.

She collapsed against the brick wall of the building behind them, trying to catch her breath. What cruelty could allow this? What mocking, multiversal coincidence?

It was some kind of bank, in a quiet, affluent area, employee parking in the back, carefully manicured topiaries stabbing up from the freshly piled wood chips, a fence of almost artificial greenery.

He'd been fiddling with the dials of some kind of handheld device, very much like a repurposed old-fashioned video game controller when she'd popped out from a space between those little trees, and she saw the security cameras power down and back up again.

“Aaand there we go!” He exclaimed. “Security system's mine! Now, you're gonna want to scoot over a bit for this next part. Go on, scootch.”

He shooed her as if she were a dog, still working the controls. From between the rows of cars, a strange machine rolled, a junkyard mishmash of pallets and scrap slapped together in a way that seemed messy, but began unfolding smoothly into a work of upcycled art.

Fascinated by the scene, she didn't move fast enough for this young, ill-tempered Ridder. He planted his shoe on her shoulder and shoved her over.

“I said move, you waste of a skull! Why are you even here? Did you just want to sightsee while you were on your meth bender? No...you're too chubby for meth. So what the hell is it? Too dull to speak? Or is it this?”

He plucked at his suit, a garish green, covered in question marks, a clearly bespoke piece whose ridiculousness was offset by its perfect tailoring and bold purple accessories. Violets popping from the mossy forest floor. Nori sheets and moly grease.

“Ugh, I swear, the smooth brained rabble sees one mask and thinks they're going to die. I'm not going to kill you just for existing. I'm not the Joker. So have your panic attack over there, would you? I'm trying to get something done.”

Derision. Lime juice sizzling on hot pavement. Bitter rue woven into a shield against the world. She could have become like that, had her heart sprouted in more barren ground.

Dragging herself to her feet, she stepped aside, trying to squeeze the last dregs of flashback disorientation out like water from her hair. This was no ghost from her past. This was the future, wherever its winding path led.

And this contemptuous hotshot might become part of it, if either allowed it to happen.

She watched the machine unfold and reconfigure itself, a composite creation of balanced base, long, segmented arm, and spinning head. A drill? No. Something else.

“What is this thing?” she ventured.

“Oh you can talk? Someone taught the monkey a trick! Good for you. Why should I tell you anything?”

She watched the machine, still unsure of it's function. Was it a weapon? Could she knock it over? Probably not.

“What am I gonna do about it?”

“Nothing, that's what. Unless you're some kind of plainclothes cop or civvie vigilante...” He squinted through his domino mask. “Nah. Again, too chubby.”

“You always this charming?” Maybe it was the bitterness of disappointment, maybe it was the flagrant rudeness. Whatever it was, her hackles were up.

“Your ego is meaningless. It's your health, after all. Would you prefer I speak truth, or lie about it?”

“There's this secret third option. It's called Not Saying Anything. I mean, I haven't said anything about your height.”

“What about my height? I'm taller than you!”

“You're wearing lifts!”

“And I'd still be taller than you without them!”

The machine had attached itself to the thick brick wall of the bank while they argued, lights flaring to life on its spinning head. Lasers. It might be made out of junk, but its was a sophisticated construction nonetheless. It burned through the wall, heat blowing from the bricks like a desert sunset.

“What are you after in there?”

He picked at his purple gloves, not looking at her.

“Notably, you have yet to give me a reason to tell you anything.”

Should she leave? This was an unpleasant creature, and the ache he awakened in her was deep as the root of a mountain. But...she was curious. She was always curious.

“Old fashioned bank heist?”

“Are you always this obtuse? What else would it be? Move!”

He shoved her again, as the machine finished cutting, the circle of wall falling outward and crushing it, rather than her. He stared at the mangled scrap for a moment, then shrugged, reaching into the hole and retrieving a small strongbox, labeled with the name Wayne.

“Perfect. Flawless. Exactly according to-oh, damnit.”

Security had finally noticed their lost systems control and come to investigate. Two guns trained on the Riddler, who held his nonchalant demeanor.

“I'm not involved.” Helix said, trying to step away.

“Here, hold this.” he dropped the box into her hands. Startled, she clutched it to her chest. Then he yanked her close and pressed a firearm of his own to her temple. “Okay gentlemen. You know the drill. Drop the weapons, or I blow the hamster wheel she calls a brain all over the pavement.”

The fear diminished into a base note, overwhelmed by cloying irritation. It wasn't just the inevitable betrayal, so much as the belief that he could do better than that.

“Didn't you say you weren't going to murder anyone today?” she griped.

“I said I didn't intend to, not that I wouldn't if the need arose.”

“Ugh, Arkham said you were a pill. And yet, I came anyway.”

“Sounds like you should have listened to your betters. Funny though, how a single sentence can influence the outcome of a situation. Do try to keep up. No really. Keep up. It's time to run!”

Gripping her by the yoke of her blouse, he darted into the parking lot, dragging her along. Neither security guard had dropped their gun-this was Gotham after all, the lives of hostages held little value. Bullets zipped past, embedding into cars, pinging off pavement. He shot back over his shoulder, apparently not caring where he was aiming.

Leading her to a surprisingly gray car, he tossed her in, still clutching the strongbox. More bullets barely missed the vehicle as they peeled away.

“Alright. So. How do you know Arkham?” he demanded. “ And if you met him, how are you still alive to pester me?”

“Notably, you haven't given me reason to tell you anything.”

He turned his incredulous face, and his gun, back to her. She placed her hand over the muzzle. The two of them simply stared, demanding, denying. A game of chicken in which both participants were a touch off-kilter.

“Fine, then who are you?”

“Helix. And I'll tell you right now Puzzles, if you don't stop pointing that gun at me, I'll chuck this box out the window!”

He lowered the weapon reluctantly.

“I see my reputation precedes me. Heard about you too. I must say, I expected you to be less pathetic.”

“You didn't need to 'must say' that. But if it makes any difference...you reminded me of someone I never thought I'd see again, and I wasn't prepared for it.”

“Sounds like a you problem.” he took the strongbox from her lap and tossed it into the backseat. “But why didn't you lead with any of this? That you knew who I am, that you presumably knew others? Why tergiversate to your own detriment like that?”

“Notably-”

Puzzles pulled over and shoved her out of the car.

Artist: Me

Artist: Verticalthoughts (deactivated)

Artist: @cardwrecks

#shards of the nexus #puzzles!Riddler #Riddler Family

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calendulacraft · 1 year

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Leggings may be one of the most notorious items of fast fashion but, they don't have to be!

By repairing clothing, and giving garments a longer life, we can keep out of the cycle of buy & die. Because, let's be honest here: giving away clothes is no guarantee that they won't end up in the trash. The only guarantee is to mend & upcycle the garment ourselves!

The key here is to patch a small hole before it grows & grows. Really this is an easy fix and I wanted to share how it is done with just a few basic sewing supplies.

In this tutorial I used a lighter grey patch and silver thread so that the steps would be visible and easy to follow. Here I went with a #visiblemending look but, you may want to use a matching color of patch & thread so that the mend goes unnoticed.

Happy Mending!

#wasteless crafts #zerowaste #low waste #crafting #mending #DIY #ecological fashion #slow fashion #upcycling #sustainable fashion #mending tutorial #sewing tutorial #crafts

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starmakermachine · 2 years

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Girls Against God | In Conversation

Written by Kitty Quinn, Photographed by Milan Lazovski, Makeup by Kitty Quinn, Styled by Mar Alameri, Models: Mimi Chabi, Rhiannon Hubbard, Grace Wang & Vanessa Yousif

Current trends are seemingly changing within the blink of an eye, so it’s especially fascinating to meet anyone who can stand out against the odds. Solely running I Spy A Find, a primarily online, upcycled and curated vintage shop, Mar Alameri happens to be one of those stand out individuals. Alameri is a 25 year old writer, stylist and connoisseur of several creative ventures with her eye on the prize. Starmaker Machine worked collaboratively with Alameri to showcase just a few of the many unique pieces that are up for sale on her website for a concept titled, “Girls Against God”.

This is Starmaker’s first ever collaboration, and we could not be more honored that it could be with someone with the artistic caliber of Alameri.

Whether it be an extravagant plan or a passing whim, every small business has to start somewhere. With her love for fashion and an intense desire for her distinct style to be represented, Alameri recalls when she decided it was time for her to start I Spy A Find.

KITTY QUINN: Could you walk me through the story of how I Spy was founded?

MAR ALAMERI: I walked into this boutique in downtown Ypsilanti, and as I was looking through the clothes I didn’t really see anything that spoke to me. It kind of just came to me. Every store has a certain aesthetic with the type of clothes that they sell. I just never found a vintage store that sells things that make me go, “Oh my gosh, I want all of this”. I realized I could do that on my own, so it was great because I already had a collection to begin with because I had lost a ton of weight and things just outgrew me. Then, I started sourcing clothing and fell in love with it.

QUINN: What specifically drew you to sourcing and upcycling vintage pieces rather than selling newer ones?

ALAMERI: I think the vintage part came first because I loved how the quality of things before were so much better. I also liked the idea that I was doing a good thing by reusing clothes rather than contributing to fast fashion. I thought it would be a super cool idea to start reworking stuff and it would totally make sense for my shop too. It’s been fun so far. It's great because it contributes to honing my skills, which I'm going to school for now.

QUINN: When you’re upcycling, are you trying to make stuff you like to see exclusively or do you also try to cater to what you think other people would want to see?

ALAMERI: A little bit of both. I think it’s a bit cocky, to be honest, because I think I’m the moment. Anything that I like I think, “Okay, this is relevant. I can see how people would like this too”. And if I could prove to people that I could make it work, then I think that they would trust me. I like to challenge myself and be really creative with the things I wear and use things in ways that they wouldn’t traditionally be used in.

QUINN: Ooh, I really like that. As a creative person, how important is it for you to be around other creative people?

ALAMERI: It is so important, dude. I am having a La La Land moment right now where I’m having to choose my goals over love, and it’s so fucking hard and it hurts a lot but it’s part of the growing pains. I feel like you have to be around other creative people to inspire you and challenge you and think the way that you do. You’re either being authentic to yourself or trying to follow trends— that’s the difference. I feel like it’s so fucking important to be around people who are trying to make art because they’re trying to think outside of the box.

Alameri’s out of the box approach makes I Spy stand out not only when it comes to the upcycling and curation of her shop, but also the way that she markets her products as well. It’s always interesting to see what new concepts can be born out of the conjunction of several different passions. Alameri combined her passion for fashion with her desire to write, thus creating an artistic avenue of her own. As an artist, there’s a lot of pressure to be perfect on the first try when in reality there should be no shame in imperfections— they’re what make any form of art personal and unique.No two artists are exactly the same and there will always be new ways to improvise on each individual creative path. Sometimes it’s best to let your creativity lead and your mind will always follow.

QUINN: I feel like I Spy is very interesting because you don’t typically see businesses that have an editorial writing side as well as the clothing, so what drove you to join your writing and business together into one thing?

ALAMERI: I just love art and wanted to make something meaningful. If people like what I write, that's cool. if they don’t, that’s cool too. I’m just writing to write, you know what I mean? I just decided on a whim one day that I wanted to try writing, so I did. I had no experience and I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m trying to do the best that I can.

QUINN: Before you started writing for I Spy, you never wrote before?

ALAMERI: No.

QUINN: That’s really interesting because I feel like some people have been writing their whole life and gradually ease their way into it. I really appreciate the fact that you dove into it headfirst and included it. It was very fearless. It takes a lot of bravery.

ALAMERI: That is so nice of you to say. I am just trying to live my truth, and I guess in that moment that was my truth. I just put shit out there and if people like it, they like it. If they don’t, I don’t give a shit. That's how I feel.

QUINN: I feel like that’s a great life philosophy in general for anything people want to do.

ALAMERI: And I agree, it’s all about a mindset shift. If people don’t like it, they can tell you why and you can do better. And if they do, same thing, they can tell you why and you can have a conversation. You’re never going to know unless you put it out there. I feel like so many people are crippled by fear that they never even give themself a chance. That’s why I feel like it’s so important to actively work on yourself. You need to figure out what is stunting you from your growth.

QUINN: Yeah, exactly. I feel like a lot of people wait until there’s a right moment, but there will never be a moment where everything perfectly falls into place. You just have to start now or you’ll never do it.

ALAMERI: It’s so funny that you say that because I was thinking about this earlier. I feel like I used to be like that. Actually, when I first started I Spy, I felt like I had to get everything right and then I’d have my moment. You’re never going to get everything perfect— something is bound to fuck up and you just have to learn how to be okay with it and go with the flow. You’re never going to get perfection but you’re going to get progress, you just have to stay consistent.

QUINN: What would you say your ultimate goal is for the future as both a business owner and a creative person?

ALAMERI: I don’t know where I’m going with I Spy, to be honest. I don’t think I want to do vintage forever because I want to create something more. It’s been a great experience and has taught me a lot though. As a creative person, I just want to live my truth, document it and see what I can make. I just want to make meaningful things. If it could just resonate with one person, then that’s okay with me. That’s all I need; for someone to say, “I get it, I understand”.

Finding like minded individuals is so crucial to expansion of one’s creative expression and mind, especially for young artists within the creative field. To have the appreciation of an observer is one thing, but to have another artist that you respect appreciating your work can be one of the most gratifying experiences. Something I really appreciate about Alameri is the fact that she makes her art for herself, yet welcomes any type of reaction to it. It’s so interesting to talk to her and hear her take on the creative writing process especially because many of her points really resonated with my own feelings surrounding it. I love that Alameri does what she does just to do it, not to receive approval from others. It feels good to know that there is someone in a similar boat, slowly drifting towards their own creative purpose at the same pace.

QUINN: How do you come up with the concepts for your editorials?

ALAMERI: Things just come to me sometimes in my day to day life. I think it’s because I’ve trained myself to be conscious of it. I told myself, “Okay, whenever you feel something significant, write it down”. Now, something will happen and I will pull out my notes app and write whatever comes to me. Pinterest helps a lot too. I’m very visual.

QUINN: That’s similar to the Starmaker creative process. We see something that inspires us on social media or Pinterest and go, “Oh, we have to write about this.” or “We have to do a whole photoshoot surrounding this”. You know?

ALAMERI: Yeah, for sure. I love what you guys are doing, dude. I want to support you forever.

QUINN: Thank you, we also want to support you forever. Are there any side projects that you’re working on alongside the duties of I Spy?

ALAMERI: Well, I want to grow my career but it’s been a bit hard because getting my degree has been taking longer since I'm a late bloomer. I am happy with where I am right now. This summer I modeled for my friend’s book that she’s publishing. It’s coming out next spring. I’m really excited about that. Modeling has always been a guilty pleasure and I don’t really talk about it because I’m 5’1 and a half. I’d love to do more editorials because I think I could totally kill it, but my height makes it really hard.

QUINN: I feel like the modeling atmosphere is becoming more diverse, so I feel like the small girls will have their time to shine soon. I’m excited to see what you did for the book though! What kind of book is it?

ALAMERI: It’s a thriller. It’s great because the two leads are women exploring their sexuality while navigating their muslim faith and that’s not really talked about. She’s really doing the damn thing and I’m so proud of her. And you know what’s so cool? It’s not even self published, she’s publishing it through Penguin.

QUINN: Oh wow, that's super exciting! Big steps! I’m excited to see you modeling for it but also super excited to read it. You don’t see that concept anywhere.

ALAMERI: Yeah, it’s super cool. I’m very excited.

One of the most interesting characteristics of creative people is the fact that there is rarely ever confinement to one artistic path. For Alameri, modeling serves as one of the many facets to her artistry. For others, there is an endless combination of the different kinds of art to be explored as well. The one thing that is universal among artists is inspiration. Not everyone is inspired by the same concepts but every piece of art– no matter the form– starts when inspiration strikes. Alameri’s approach to inspiration is inspiring within itself. It’s great to see someone who wants to focus on uplifting others, especially when it can be so easy to let jealousy cloud your judgment.

QUINN: Who and what would you say inspires you the most?

ALAMERI: Everything inspires me— just existing and my life as I continue to understand people. Strong women really inspire me too. I fucking love strong women. Lately, it’s been Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion. I just love women who love women because you just don’t see that enough. Honestly, I was late to even acknowledging that art exists. I was a late bloomer, so I have a lot of catching up to do.

QUINN: Speaking of musicians like Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion, is there a specific album, book or movie that you feel really embodies your life or the way you want to live your life? It doesn’t have to be your favorite piece of media of all time, but just what you feel in the current moment.

ALAMERI: In this current moment, the movie La La Land feels so relevant. It ties back into having to choose your career and goals over love, you know? I just don’t feel like that is talked about enough because it’s so easy to fall into gender roles. That has such a huge impact on why women feel like they have to make that decision between love and goals.

QUINN: The points you’re bringing up are so valid. I also feel like people don’t talk enough about the fact that there is a way to balance love and goals without having to choose one over another. You can have both.

ALAMERI: Exactly, if people would take a bit more accountability and try to work on themselves, then we could definitely have both.

Finding that balance between your goals and love can be one of the biggest challenges as an artist. While living in a society that makes it difficult to solely be an artist, there is a stress to exclusively focus on your goals in order to survive. However, it is so important to challenge this idea and fight for love as well, whether it be platonic or romantic. Believe it or not, the relationships you have are just as important as the goals that you set. It's crucial to invest in your relationships the same way you invest in your art because without others to encourage and enlighten you, reaching your goals will never feel quite as fulfilling.

Working within fashion can be so challenging, especially when it feels like the trend cycle is constantly changing in ways that have never been seen before. As someone within that industry, and as an artist in general, Alameri shares the advice that she wishes she heard when she began her creative journey.

QUINN: Is there a specific piece of advice that you wish you heard from someone when you were creating your own business and deciding that you wanted to go into a creative field?

ALAMERI: I wish people would really emphasize what trusting the process really means. Trusting the process is more than what it sounds like. It feels cliché because you hear it so much, but it’s really necessary. So much of the time you really want to give up, especially when you have to do so much on your own in the beginning. it’s knowing that things aren't going to always be easy, you just have to keep going.

QUINN: I totally get that. There’s always that point as an artist where you’re wondering if what you’re doing will ever amount to anything. Then, when you finally put something out that you’re proud of, you’re glad that you stuck it out because it’s everything to you.

ALAMERI: That’s exactly what I was trying to say because I felt that recently when I published the second blog. There’s only two out now, but I was really proud of that second one and it was like, “I don’t even give a shit if anyone reads this, I’m happy with it”.

If there’s one thing to take away from my conversation with Alameri, it’s to put yourself out of your comfort zone and continue with your art even when it feels like it’s not going anywhere. It's beneficial to realize that progress is inevitable when you are constantly working on honing a skill. While there are days that the creative process will be more difficult than others, following Alameri’s philosophy of trusting every nuance is especially crucial. Though there is this idea that all artists are open to exploring different approaches, it’s surprising how many confine themselves to one aesthetic. It felt very enlightening to be able to partner with Alameri due to her open mindedness. I admire her perspective on art because it is realistic, yet she is still able to keep a sense of positivity. Balance is the objective but accepting that your art will not always be exactly what you envision is the first step to unlocking your full potential. Let yourself experience those growing pains— it’s not all for nothing.

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dumpster-divers-unite · 2 years

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You wouldn’t believe the waste at my old job.

I must have covered this at some point, but in case I haven’t: my old job (nursing home) created so much waste of every kind. Plastics and clothing were the 2 biggest contributors. The plastic was an every day occurrence due to our linen system, but clothing was -and is- a preventative waste.

In Western countries, we collect a LOT more then we realistically need. With such ease of access to StuffTM, we Westerners don’t recognize the true luxury we have in being able to get things when we want it in a relatively short amount of time or on demand. Clothing/fashion/accessories are bought, “consumed”, and discarded at alarming speeds. Many people don’t try to upcycle their goods into something new once they tire of it. Thrift and second hand stores are so stuffed to the brim with Stuff that they don’t have space for the newer fastest fashions. Where do you think your donated shirt goes when you’ve tired of it? It ends up in the trash after a week on the thrift store’s shelves… if it’s lucky to see the shelves.

I can only speak for the facility I’ve worked in, but maybe someone out there can pitch in too: I’ve witnessed so much good clothing go to waste that it makes me feel gross to be the one doing it. Those really well made CAT work boots that I wear near constantly now that were like new when I brought them home? Those would have been in a trash site somewhere because someone never claimed them. The strings I used to replace the criminally short original laces came from old hoodies.

I went back to my old work place later in the evening the day before last to keep my former co worker company for an hour or two. While she was telling me about all of the craziness she’s being put through, curiosity lead me through the lost and found to see what had changed. I found the same stuff that’s been there for almost a year, maybe longer. The newer abandoned stuff looks like it was new, or lightly worn. My coworker said she kept asking others what belonged to who but no one ever knew for some reason… either the stuff belonged to a super short term residents or it was unmarked and unwanted. Most of it is shirts, some are pants.

“We need to get rid of it.” She says. I agree, we need to get rid of the old stuff.

Out with the old, in with the new… sounds familiar.

I’ve thought about taking a shirt or pants that weren’t my size and using it as scrap fabric, but there is only so much space I can dedicate to that cause. For me, that space is limited to a single shelf. I’d love to take it all and use as much of the material as possible to make sure there was zero waste, but I know the truth: that clothing rack will be emptied to the trash and it will fill back up with unclaimed fast fashion. I’ve taken ripped, faded, and dingy items bound for the trash and made really good items out of it. I know I cannot and should not save everything because it “could be useful for the future”, that’s one way to spiral into hoarding disorders, but to me it feels wrong when I can’t help it.

I hope things like that don’t haunt y’all. Sometimes we have to let go of the pants or shirts that happen to fit us before we ever latch onto them. I’ve run across many shirts and a few pants that I’ve given to my partner sense he doesn’t have much and he wears them. No one claimed them for over 3 months and I wasn’t going to let him have nothing but 2 pairs of shorts, 2 shirts and a single pair of jeans that were thin and ripping at the booty cheeks. Moments like that make me proud that I think the way that I do, and that I’ve saved a hell of a lot of money by doing what I’ve done.

I benefited from this lifestyle change too! I’ve gotten to claim a white thermal shirt, a grey light button up jacket, and brand new trapper hat (ushanka) during the visit. It’s such a shame that people/their families won’t claim perfectly decent clothing, even after half a year.

#recycled words #dumpster diving #reduce reuse recycle #zero waste living #freeganism #clothing waste #clothing #freegan #waste not want not #work waste #workplace waste #lost and found #lost clothing

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