Insta Inspo
Samata from Red Carpet Green Dress
Open any magazine and you’ll see great style put together professionally by stylists. And we have nothing against that (see Rina Sawayama) but my favorite is when you can tell someone’s style is an extension of who they are as a person. This is true for Samata. She is the CEO of @RedCarpetGreenDress that puts sustainability at the forefront of fashion at the Oscars and founder of @THE__TRIBE which we’d describe as a movement of female empowerment and positivity.
She reflects this in both what she wears and what she says. We asked her how Covid was affecting her early on in the pandemic on instagram and we’re re-sharing now because even though there are vaccines on the horizon Rona is not going away without a battle. So her thoughts are still relevant. And we’re following this up with a few of our favorite looks and captions from her instagram that shows how she serves us major inspiration all the time.
wearing @belkazan -an ethical line made in Bali
How has adjusting to the current climate of COVID-19 impacted your life?
It’s made everything more considered whilst at the same time urgent. Slower and more considered as we can all see that we can’t rush through the days and just churn out work. What has happened has created a new normal and stepping back to acknowledge this fact – and reflectI feel on what we want to do differently is crucial. At the same time, with every news cycle I feel a sense of urgency to get sustainable projects out there because now more than ever we need design that considers people and the environment more.
What are 3 things you are doing during this time to keep sane?
1. Allowing myself to be upset! It’s ok to be stressed or feel low about what is going on so just letting my emotions be acknowledged is a coping mechanism!
2. Eating – I’m definitely finding comfort in meals. It might not be the best always but it’s real. I have learnt some amazing plant-based recipes like crispy sweet and sour seitan which is delish.
3. Hugging my son a lot and appreciating him and his innocent happiness, hoping it will rub off on me!
Any words of wisdom you want to share?
“Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”
― G.K. Chesterton
This represents hope to me, something we need now more than ever.
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“I hope you will go out and let stories, that is life, happen to you, and that you will work with these stories… water them with your blood and tears and your laughter till they bloom, till you yourself burst into bloom.”
I have had a few messages from people who are keen to change their wardrobe and make it more sustainable. How do we do it…that’s the question. 🍃
Here is the thing, it will involve you slowing down the rate you are shopping at, and reevaluating why always having new clothes means so much to you. There is a huge psychological element to shifting towards sustainable fashion and often, that takes a tipping point. A moment when you realise, you want to do things differently. But it will take you, the consumer, in dialogue with yourself. Not just with the fashion brands churning it out en masse. 🍃
Are you ready for that personal shift? For me, that moment was losing my entire wardrobe in a fire and having to start all over again.🍃
Truly, realizing that there is a battle for your mind and the power you have to actually step back and evaluate what you buy and why, is one of the most liberating experiences you can have. It’s slow fashion season, and as consumers we are asked to make better fashion choices – such as opting out of impulse fast fashion buys, choosing second-hand and vintage, wearing what we already own, becoming a little more creative by upcycling or customizing and importantly supporting sustainable, local and independent fashion labels (particularly hard hit due to COVID-19)
A little poem I wrote this evening:
“Sustainability is the heartbeat of the stone that causes the ripple.
It’s the idea put to paper,
and is pulled from the earth.
Uprooted natural source and the farmers hard work.
From crafted product to weary hands and laboured breaths,
from loaded delivery vans to the mannequins dressed.
From timesheets and livelihoods,
to creatives and brands,
from linear systems to the anthropocene of man.
From consumers or citizens,
to the back of wardrobes and drawers.
This thing called sustainability is mine and yours.”
– Samata
P.S This dress is rented and sustainable🙏🏾
Timely reminder for anyone who needs it…What you do should be about legacy and real impact over apparent immediate success and influence. Build it regardless of the fanfare. Do it without the accolades.
An important and timeless lesson in today’s social media driven space, where we often document our journey instead of letting our impact document itself.
Do the work for the right reasons, and the rest will be what it is.
FOLLOW
@RedCarpetGreenDress
@THE__TRIBE
Learn more about Red Carpet Green Dress
Join The TRIBE here
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