This week we got the chance to chat with the amazing Liz Miu about what shopping sustainably means to her. Liz, known for her fun, insanely delicious vegan food creations on instagram (@itslizmiu), also uses her platform to promote sustainable living - from the food we eat to the way we shop.
What does sustainable fashion mean to you?
It is (hopefully) the future! It means SLOW fashion! None of this buying new-stuff-every-season. It means brands/companies should start recycling materials, using more sustainable materials, promoting secondhand and changing the focus to selling quality goods that will actually last instead of huge quantities of crappy products. For individuals it means being open to buying secondhand, learning to sew/repair instead of buying new when something is broken, giving away clothes to people (not charity bins).
How would you describe your closet?
Not updated at all! I haven’t shopped (for new clothes) in years. I buy a few clothes from op shops now and again. I wouldn’t say I’m a minimalist, I’ve still got HEAPS of clothes. They’re just all a few years old and I’m okay with that. I’ve found that I I basically wear the same 10-12 plain/basic pieces every week.
What inspired you to start shopping more consciously?
HMMMM…. I guess I got more educated over time about the issue. After I became vegan and learned about how my food choices affect the planet - I guess the natural thing was to start thinking about all the other things I ‘consume’ including transport, clothing, travel etc. There is a whole movement of ‘conscious-living’ now, and a lot of good information out there.
What have been some of the most challenging things when trying to do this?
Not for me personally, but a challenge I see the world facing is that we’ve made living ‘eco’ a trend. And trends die. e.g. People buying new jars to achieve the picture-perfect ‘zero-waste’ pantry. People chucking out all their stuff to become ‘minimalist’ instead of finding constructive ways to repurpose. I mean I guess it’s good that’s its a trend, but at the same time, people need to recognise that this is something the world needs, not just something they want.
What are some things that people should be aware of when deciding if a brand is ethical or environmentally friendly?
Labour. People. Are people being paid properly. Are people being treated properly. Are children involved? Are brands completely transparent when you ask them who is making their product (and for what price!?). Second to that, materials. Are they sustainable?
What do you think brands could be doing to be more ethical and eco?
FOR BIG BIZ: Internal and external (and regular) checks throughout the whole chain of production to ensure people are being treated correctly. Some sort of reviewing system needs to be put in place so that big companies can be held accountable.
FOR SMALL BIZ: It can be hard, especially for small businesses, but CHOOSING to spend that extra bit of money on eco-packaging instead of packaging is an example of a HUGE change a small business could make. Promoting that they are indeed choosing to make these eco-changes also helps to set new standards in society.
Could you share some of your favourite clothing brands with us?
I don’t really have any fave clothing brands.
Note: I think having brands we are #obsessed with is does NOT send the right message re: consumption. Just because a brand is ‘eco’, does not mean we should buy heaps and heaps of things from that one brand. If that makes sense.
I really like small bizzes like Yogitown.guru or Maraca Club.
Yogitown is run by a lady call Val. She designs the shirts, sauces sustainably made shirts, hand-prints designs on them. The cushions she makes are filled with 100% recycled plastic (they’re really soft) and really beautiful.
Maraca is an earring brand that only uses recycled plastics and uses collected items to make new pieces of wearable art. I like this because while everyone in the world is busy hating plastic and throwing it out and buying brand new glass jars and hemp shopping bags, these guys are actually repurposing the plastic that’s been thrown away. Giving it a second life (I mean it’s going to sit around for 1000s of years anyway!). They also use only recycled materials as packaging as well as eco-friendly inks for their stamps. They have a lot of integrity when it comes to making their business eco. Love em!
For our readers out there, what 3 shopping habits can they change to have a lighter footprint on the planet?
Shop less!
Buy quality if you need to buy!
Ask yourself if you really need it!!!
Check out Liz's blog here
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