An introduction to sustainable fashion led to a sustainable lifestyle
Throughout Earth Month, until April 22, the people of Kaunas were invited to see the installation “Choras” created from waste by artist Agnė Kišonaitė, which aims to draw public attention to the growing, not always moderate, consumption.
“It is quite symbolic that this installation found its place not anywhere else, but on the campus of KTU – my Alma Mater. It was this place that led me to sustainability,” shares the designer who visited the installation.
Speaking about her first acquaintance with sustainable fashion, which is where it all started, the designer recalls when she was still a student when she went to London to do an internship. There she received the task of making shorts from a shirt. “What?!” What will we do? From an existing garment to another garment? Is that even possible?”, the designer laughs, remembering her reaction.
At that time, the topic of sustainability, which was not yet popular in Lithuania, aroused O. Les’s curiosity – after enrolling in her master’s studies, she had already firmly decided that her final work would be related to the remaking of clothes. From creativity and professional life, the principles of sustainability began to penetrate into the designer’s everyday life. She admits that perhaps the hardest part was pausing and resetting priorities.
“The more I get interested in the subject of sustainability, the more I realize that it covers so many areas. I think that sustainability is, first of all, a way of thinking: how a person thinks, what and how he does, what impact it has on the environment. Sustainability is the totality of all areas of life, which is united by awareness, respect and mindset”, O. Les shares his thoughts.
He advises not to rush and not go to extremes
O. Les, who gives lectures on the topic of sustainability, notes that when talking about this topic, it is very important that the other person does not feel attacked because of their choices. According to the designer, it is best to educate others by example, without pressure, but by gradually introducing them to more sustainable alternatives.
“The hardest thing to explain is that often choices where a person thinks they are saving will actually end up spending more in the long run. For example, a fast-fashion acrylic sweater bought on sale will probably no longer be wearable after a season. So, a person will waste time again, will spend money looking for another sweater, after this one has served the season – yet another, instead of finding, for example, a great Lithuanian creator whose sweater will be worn for 8-10 years”, says O. Les.
Some who have started to get acquainted with sustainability begin to throw away everything that is not natural or organic – clothes made of synthetic fabrics, parabens, sulfate-containing cosmetics, plastic containers, etc. However, O. Les urges not to rush and not go to extremes.
“It takes time to tame sustainability, you need to be careful and take your time. If you want to give up certain things, that’s fine, but always be careful where you throw that thing away. Maybe it can be used a second time? It is also important not to create the illusion that buying everything labeled “organic”, “natural”, etc. we can consider ourselves sustainable. No inscription, no composition of clothing will make a person sustainable until he starts to think sustainably and consume sustainably,” the woman encourages to take her time, take time to delve into the topic of sustainability and take small steps towards change.
She is seconded by Vilma Balčiauskaitė, head of the Sustainability Academy of the company “Ekonovus”. According to her, the textile waste sorting container should be the last place where unworn clothes end up. “First of all, we don’t have to sort, but in general we have to try to keep as little waste as possible. If we already have clothes that no longer make us happy, let’s always think about how we can renew them, change them, and maybe they would make others happy and we can simply pass them on to other hands”, urges the expert.
Sustainability starts with a relationship with yourself
When talking about sustainability in everyday life, the designer says that she is guided by the principle of leaving as little footprint as possible. Although the woman does not hide that she still notices areas where she could live more sustainably, it takes time for the change to be long-lasting, so she does everything thoughtfully, in depth, and gathering enough information.
“When it comes to manufacturers, my goal is to first get to know what is produced in Lithuania and only if I don’t find a suitable product to look more widely. However, so far, I found everything I was looking for from our manufacturers and of excellent quality”, O. Les is happy.
When asked what advice she could share, the woman urges first not to act impulsively: “Approach sustainability slowly, consciously, spend time searching for information.” She also encourages you to think critically, to question everything that seems sustainable at first glance. “We are faced with enormous amounts of information, the topic of sustainability is extremely popular now, so there are pseudo-experts seeking popularity who share incorrect, unfounded information,” O. Les encourages blindly distrusting and checking information.
Finally, the designer encourages us to live a little slower, to pause, to spend time getting to know ourselves. “We are doing too much today. I heard this idea in Let’s Talk About Sustainability and it really stuck with me. We eat too much, travel too much, work too much and from that fast pace we burn out, nothing makes us happy anymore. So I want to wish you to pause, slow down, get to know yourself. “Sustainability starts with a relationship with yourself,” the designer shares her thoughts.
