This Week, Crammed: Week Ending 11/10/19

What went down:

Australia’s on fire. The country’s facing a record number of emergency-level bushfires. At least 80 blazes were spotted last week alone, with strong winds, drought, and high temps determined as a major cause. 

Speaking of which, pollution levels in New Delhi got so bad that schools were shut down, flights were cancelled, and people were warned to stay inside. Breathing in the air was reportedly similar to smoking 50 cigarettes a day. Not good. 

Meanwhile, Airbnb made some changes. As in the biz, Airbnb announced it’d be taking steps to ban “party houses” and flag people looking to use Airbnb for parties. 

What also made headlines: this new study on measles. Hint: there’s a hidden side effect of measles called “immune amnesia” where the body’s immune memory is erased — meaning people who get measles are more likely to get other illnesses (such as pneumonia, the flu, and tuberculosis). Yes, even years later. 

Over in Oklahoma, at least 462 non-violent inmates walked out of prison before their sentences were over as part of the state’s efforts to reform the prison system and fight overcrowding. Cue applause from lawmakers. 

Oklahoma wasn’t the only one looking to make a difference. Apple (as in the tech biz) said ‘cross our heart and hope to die’ and pledged $2.5 billion to help fight California’s growing housing crisis. 

Oh, and it came out that Australia’s top women soccer players would get paid as much as their male counterparts. Goal.  

What’s up next:

Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day. which honors military veterans in the US. Meanwhile, much of the US is expecting a record-breaking arctic blast. You read that right. More than 170 record-setting cold temps are forecast across the nation. Brrrr. And in other news, Instagram’s switching things up. The biz will be hiding likes for many users as soon as this week. What’s also building suspense: the US gov’s pinky promised to make a final decision on vaping this week. Tension: high. 

Why you should be feeling inspired:

Meet Olivia Frost. She’s a 26-year-old influencer and blogger who’s a big fan of sustainable and ethical fashion. Think: second-hand clothing. And makes an effort to advocate for ethical fashion to her hundreds of thousands of followers. Feeling inspired yet? Read on for our interview with Olivia. 

You are an influencer and blogger promoting “sustainable and ethical” fashion. How would you describe these labels and what do they mean to you?

I view sustainable fashion as not having to be 100% ethical, but as buying vintage or considering slower fashion options; recycling our clothes; and closing that commodity chain and creating a circular industry where clothes are not destined to landfill once a certain trend is over. 

How were you able to kickstart the conversation around sustainable fashion in an influencer industry mostly built on high street fashion? And how were you able to remove the stigma around second-hand fashion?

For me, this all stemmed from being interested in second-hand vintage clothing my whole life. I always viewed it as an art form. However, my real insight and understanding really began at university. I studied geography at uni and through this degree, I was able to specialize in commodity chains, ethical fashion, women’s rights, etc. The topic of my dissertation was actually a theory I came up with on the “subconscious ethical consumer,” and how I viewed the incorporation of vintage clothing into mainstream, high-street stores as creating a type of consumer who was “subconsciously” shopping ethically. Bringing second-hand clothing into the mainstream/the mass market is the most powerful way to a) remove the stigma around and raise awareness of second hand clothing and, b) move the needle and make an impact within the industry. 

Nowadays, young people are seeking to lessen their environmental impact in a multitude of ways, but often forget fashion. Why do you think so? And how would you encourage them to start their sustainable fashion journey?

For me, fashion is the MOST intimate, yet powerful and all reaching, commodity on this planet. A commodity chain spans from the most intimate body to the most far reaching places in the world, and I think that is incredibly powerful. We are connected to the other side of the world because of the clothes we wear…but this is so often never even thought about. In terms of encouragement, I think we need to raise awareness that sustainable fashion can be the cheaper option for the younger generation; it doesn’t mean having to buy expensive, all-ethical cotton brands. It’s about slowing down the industry. By this, I mean buying second-hand clothing from charity shops or vintage stores and recycling and donating old clothing to charity shops. This helps close the commodity loop and create a sustainable circular commodity chain in which clothes are not disregarded after the point of sale. 

Having studied Human Geography at University, how did you start your career as a full-time influencer?

Actually, it was never something I planned — it just kind of happened. As I grew, I slowly saw how it was a powerful road to reaching a very intimate audience. This is an audience that, firstly, trusts what I have to say, and also is made up of a powerful new generation who can create a movement around the second-hand industry. 

What advice would you give to people looking to change the game in our society through social media? 

It’s not about being perfect — it’s about trying. If everyone tries to do their small part, we can make a big change.

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