Sustainability is on the brain in 2019 (let’s assume those wearing MAGA caps are hiding their lack of grey matter….). We’ve all seen Blue Planet, and every other David Attenborough doc on iPlayer, so we know who and what we’re hurting when we don’t think about the environment.
Well, Ditte Reffstrup, the creative director of Ganni certainly does, having binge-watched Attenborough’s Life on Earth series. At Ganni’s AW19 show, the brand installed a pop-up selling t-shirts that paid homage to the show, with profits going to Conservation International. It’s just one of over 25 initiatives they’ve launched since 2016, with sustainability in mind.
Ganni’s not the only brand thinking about this. Since Copenhagen Fashion Week AW19 kicked off, we’ve seen a number of brands pledge to do better - whether with big steps or small. Mother of Pearl presented their ‘No Frills’ collection on Day One, and since then, Stine Goya has shown its own sustainable capsule, along with Carcel, Designers Remix, and sustainable denim brand BLANCHE.
Makes sense when you remember that the world’s leading summit on sustainable style takes place in the city annually. But also makes sense because, hey, it’s fashion week. And in 2019, sustainable fashion happens to look good - no, great!
Want proof? ELLE rounded up fashion’s hottest influencers and insiders over shrimp at a Ganni dinner during CPHFW, and asked for their sustainable style hacks. Turns out they’re not short on solutions for a healthy planet and a greener wardrobe.
Camille Charriere, blogger (@camillecharriere)
'What I have been trying to do is remember that waste doesn't exist. When you're throwing something away, it's landfill, and that includes you putting your stuff in the bag and leaving it at a charity shop.
I have been doing this with friends. When you've worn something once or twice, to a wedding or something, we all know we get a little bit bored of it (especially with Instagram culture). We can't really help it. So instead of throwing things away, or buying something new, just tell your girlfriends, ‘hey, come borrow three of mine and I’ll borrow three of yours.’
You'll see things worn on friends in different ways and think, ‘wow,’ and I think it's a really good way of falling back in love with your wardrobe. I promise when you lend things to friends, they style it in ways you've never thought of, and you think ‘oh, I can't wait to swap back, and get my hands on that again.’
Laila Gohar, chef (@lailacooks)
'I think a lot about sustainability with my own work, as a chef, specifically with food waste.
For me, no effort is too small. When you go to the store, bring your own bags!
With regard to clothes, I buy fewer things that are better quality, so I think it’s worth really hold out for quality (I really like Simone Rocha and Comme des Garcons). And I try to really edit my wardrobe. It makes it so much easier to get dressed!
I like dresses. I buy quite a few. I like those that are boxy, that have a larger silhouette. They’re pieces that don’t really date.'
Susie Lau, writer (@susiebubble)
'I think the obvious thing to do is look at everything in your wardrobe and assess it. I think about what I’ve worn multiple times, what has a longer shelf life? When you start doing that, you realise you’ve accumulated a lot, and you get to that point where you think “actually, I don’t need this skirt” and learn to hold out for something you haven’t got.
I tend to now gravitate towards vintage and more unique pieces when I want something ‘new’ - things that are one-offs! There are some great stores in London [and online]. I love Alfies Antiques - I go there a lot - and Deborah Woolf Vintage, which is across from Alfies. I also love these guys called Fat Faced Cat.
Everywhere I go, I try to find a vintage spot, and find something different.'
Lisa Aiken, fashion director (@lisa.aiken)
'I think the biggest thing is our plastic consumption generally and that’s just about being conscience of what we do in our everyday life.
Ask “do I really need that?” And mostly the answer is 'No!'
You don’t need carrier bags, even if you don’t have a canvas tote on you, would it be the end of the world to carry your items home from the corner shop. There are a lot of issues around plastic, so I’d say that’s number one.
I have general clothing rules. I ask, “can I think of multiple different ways to wear it for the weekend or tomorrow? How does this fit into my style?” and also think about longevity.
It’s funny because we always say “invest in basics,” but for me it’s actually the pieces I’ve loved and had for the longest time are big fashion pieces - the pieces I’ve owned for a long time and fallen in love with. It’s not about a trend and following what someone says you should like. It’s about what I genuinely, emotionally, have fallen in love with.
I also use Vestiaire Collective [for reselling], and I’m moving to New York, and The RealReal is huge over there.'
Ditte Reffstrup, Ganni creative director (@ganni)
'I have three kids, and I have days when they need new stuff. One time, suddenly there I was, standing in H&M, so close to the cashier. But I stopped and thought, “what am I doing?”
Instead, I went into the shop of a Danish label, and thought carefully about what the kids needed. You cherish the stuff you buy more when you’re actually thinking about it. So, when you shop, just stop and give it a second thought.
We need to take care of this together. We need to get our parents, young people and kids, all kinds of people, involved. And it’s important to show that you can still have fun. I feel like that's how we need to do it, because if it’s only pointing a finger, and speaking to people in a way that they don't understand, it's not accessible.
Sustainability doesn't have to be a boring thing; you can still listen have good energy and do something good! Just try to do small things.'
