A Last Reflection from the 2021-22 Committee
As both Fashion Revolution Week and our time together as a committee begin to wrap, we sat down to think over the past year as well as our dedication to sustainable fashion more generally. We feel that as local activists, it can be easy to lose ourselves both in the small, day-to-day logistics and in the big, overwhelming issues we face in the fashion space. But both are important, and so is the pride and dedication we've put into all the work we do.
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| Nadja with her co-president, Grace Ellsworth |
Where did your interest in sustainable fashion start? Was there a distinct turning point in your journey or was it something that happened more gradually?
I learnt about climate breakdown through feminism, so I knew about the fash fashion industry simply as a feminist issue before an environmental one. I slowly started getting involved in sustainable and secondhand clothing at university and set myself a challenge to stop buying new clothes for a year. When I realised how easy that was for me, I just kept going.
The theme for FRW this year is “money, fashion, power”. What does that mean to you in the context of the St Andrews fashion scene?
Where to start . . . When you look around St Andrews and its fashion shows, you see a lot of money involved. I think the creative expression there is very unique and amazing to watch, but it definitely comes with a price and a sense of “social power” from those involved.
Do you have any favourite memories or proud moments from your time on the committee this year?
The Fashion Revolution Week auction! It always has and always will be, though I had to take a step back this year with organising that. It’s one of those events that our committee works together to create, bringing in student artists and models as well as donations for Fashion Revolution. I’m so proud of the event itself and our committee for putting together something so elaborate.
What’s one aspect of the sustainable fashion movement that you’d like to see future committees discuss more in this space?
The impact on women. I’m very passionate about that and I love that our society makes it easy for students to start implementing sustainable fashion in their wardrobes but sharing the reason behind it is crucial as well.
Neave Roach, Co-Events Coordinator
Where did your interest in sustainable fashion start? Was there a distinct turning point in your journey or was it something that happened more gradually?
I grew up watching old films with my mum — I was thoroughly enchanted by Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly from a young age! I think this was where my interest in sustainable fashion began as I gravitated toward clothes of this design. Certainly, it was coming to university that led me to appreciate the need for sustainable fashion. The few shops we have in our little town by the sea meant that online shopping became the norm which led me to become more aware of my consumption.
The theme for FRW this year is “money, fashion, power”. What does that mean to you in the context of the St Andrews fashion scene?
These three themes are at once distinct but utterly intertwined. Consequently, I think we perhaps do not realise the extent of this imbrication and the way it operates on a small scale, just as it does more widely, such as within our town. The St Andrews fashion scene is permeated and dominated by both wealth and the pressures to be perceived as such. I think acknowledging this expectation is an important step in confronting it, and empowering ourselves to have the confidence to dress as we like. The eclectic and diverse range of style we already have within this community is such a wonderful thing!
What’s one aspect of the sustainable fashion movement that you’d like to see future committees discuss more in this space?
I think we do great work in raising awareness about fast fashion and encouraging sustainable shopping, through events such as clothes swaps or upcycling. Perhaps we could do more to discuss why fast fashion prevails and consider the wider social and economic factors at play.
Do you have any favourite memories or proud moments from your time on the committee this year?
I have so enjoyed my time with Sustainable Style, and find it difficult to choose only a select few memories! I absolutely loved all of our clothes swaps because these events gave us a chance to engage with the local and student community. Our wonderful events team have been an absolute pleasure to work with as well!
Becca Salenjus, Co-Events Coordinator
Where did your interest in sustainable fashion start? Was there a distinct turning point in your journey or was it something that happened more gradually?
My interest in sustainable fashion has been building since my childhood! I grew up going to Goodwill with my mom, and like most youngest siblings, I adopted my sister's interests in fashion and sustainability in my teenage years, finding the perfect combination in sustainable fashion.
The theme for FRW this year is “money, fashion, power”. What does that mean to you in the context of the St Andrews fashion scene?
The St Andrews fashion scene is one that is dominated by wealth, so this theme feels particularly applicable to our town and community.
Do you have any favourite memories or proud moments from your time on the committee this year?
I have loved every clothing swap we have put on this year! I love interacting with so many people, and seeing their excitement when they leave with new items that they love.
What’s one aspect of the sustainable fashion movement that you’d like to see future committees discuss more in this space?
I think as a society we promote buying sustainably through our clothing swaps, but we don’t focus on reducing consumption which I think is a significant challenge we face within our student community.
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| Becca & Lauren |
Where did your interest in sustainable fashion start? Was there a distinct turning point in your journey or was it something that happened more gradually?
My awareness of sustainable fashion started right here in St Andrews when I attended a Women in Work event that featured speakers who work in this space. It was a huge eye-opener for me and absolutely revolutionised how I approach my wardrobe.
The theme for FRW this year is “money, fashion, power”. What does that mean to you in the context of the St Andrews fashion scene?
Fashion has always been tied to money and power, and I think the St Andrews scene really acts as a microcosm of that. Fashion shows are such a fun and unique part of our university's heritage, but they also operate behind this huge barrier that many students are simply unable to overcome and thus participate in.
What’s one aspect of the sustainable fashion movement that you’d like to see future committees discuss more in this space?
How much this really is a human rights issue. So many people are so absolutely unaware of the labour exploitation that has created probably almost all of the clothing in their wardrobe. I would love for SS St Andrews to somehow start telling some of those stories and encourage our community to think ethically as well as sustainably when it comes to their purchasing.
Claire Goodman, Charities Officer
Where did your interest in sustainable fashion start? Was there a distinct turning point in your journey or was it something that happened more gradually?
My interests in fashion and sustainability definitely came about very separately and at first seemed somewhat incompatible. Growing up I was into high fashion and keeping up with the latest runway trends, but I’ve realised that fashion and style have so much more inherent freedom and creativity than can be found with conventional designers. Vintage, upcycling, and sustainable, independent designers all have so much to offer fashion both on a conceptual artistic level as well as in our day-to-day lives.
What’s one aspect of the sustainable fashion movement that you’d like to see future committees discuss more in this space?
I think highlighting examples of sustainable innovation within the fashion industry and showcasing companies and individuals that are working to do things better would be great. Showing that things can and are being done differently as well as creating exposure for these companies and technologies, and hopefully guiding people towards better purchasing options.
Do you have any favourite memories or proud moments from your time on the committee this year?
A challenging but really fun project for me this year has been starting and running the Sustainable Style Depop. I’ve learned so much about all the work that goes into online secondhand selling and our page has allowed us to reach people outside of the St Andrews bubble.
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| Claire & Maisie with our treasurer, Rob |
Where did your interest in sustainable fashion start? Was there a distinct turning point in your journey or was it something that happened more gradually?
I think my interest in sustainable fashion came about mainly through Instagram. In high school especially I prided myself on dressing uniquely and enjoyed shopping from independent brands that would reflect my style. A lot of these small brands were aligned with sustainable principles, like making everything from deadstock fabrics or using materials only produced in the US. I began to learn how sustainability and fashion were intertwined through the discovery of new brands and also small environmentally conscious influencers. Now a good portion of my Instagram feed is fashion and environmentalism so I am constantly engaging in this area.
The theme for FRW this year is “money, fashion, power”. What does that mean to you in the context of the St Andrews fashion scene?
The St Andrews fashion scene tends to be marked by wealth, with events encouraging the purchase of expensive formalwear and some fashion shows costing a steep price. Many students are interested in fashion here, but dressing well (and differently for every event!) can have a high price tag and be a reflection of privilege. I think at Sustainable Style we encourage fashion to be more accessible through our clothes swap and promotion of secondhand items.
What’s one aspect of the sustainable fashion movement that you’d like to see future committees discuss more in this space?
I agree with Becca that maybe we could talk more about the problem of overconsumption. I like the Nothing New November challenge that our society puts on and think maybe it could be expanded, perhaps in the second semester too. While it doesn’t have to be completely minimalist, having a capsule wardrobe is a great practice that will help inform future purchases based on the pieces you already own and love.
Do you have any favourite memories or proud moments from your time on the committee this year?
I was proud of our auction for Fashion Revolution Week, the artists made some really gorgeous upcycled garments and accessories and the models killed it both with the photoshoot and ‘catwalk’ around the Vic. The events officers worked especially hard to put it together and it paid off!
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