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Sustainable living with Narelle, Yumika, Hanli and Cheryl
A stylish wardrobe needn’t cost the earth. It’s easy to build an edited sustainable wardrobe that will see you through the seasons and never go out of fashion. We recently caught up with Narelle Kheng, Yumika Hoskin and Hanli Hoefer and gave them a challenge: shop Vestiaire Collective to create a preloved capsule wardrobe. Here are their style files.
Yumika Hoskin
Left: Prada hat, $121 / Centre: Dries Van Noten coat, $618 / Right: Loewe wallet, $360, Longchamp bag, $91 (all from Vestiaire Collective)
“When I first started thinking about building a capsule wardrobe, I immediately thought of investing in a great outerwear jacket, accessories, and anything in a classic shape that’s easy to style. I put a lot of thought into what I buy, which means I have no reason to get rid of them in future.”
Narelle Kheng
Left: Gucci biker jacket, $723 / Centre: Louis Vuitton silk trousers, $377 / Right: Louis Vuitton boots, $830 (all from Vestiaire Collective)
“I love that with pre-owned fashion every piece has a story to tell, and it’s amazing to be able to dig back into the archives of a brand and find pieces that are no longer in production. Aside from the pieces I’ve selected, essential items in any capsule wardrobe should include a really good white shirt, an oversized T, a good jacket, and a well-fitting pair of jeans.”
Hanli Hoefer
Left and Right: Hermes scarf $948 / Centre: Self-Portrait skirt $189, Yves Saint Laurent ring $227 (all from Vestiaire Collective)
“When thinking about a capsule wardrobe, I always ask myself how many ways I can wear a piece, is it versatile, and what’s the cost per wear. I like items that are high-quality, classic, and timeless; things that I could keep for the rest of my life. I approach shopping preloved fashion as a challenge. It’s so exciting to search through and find an item that someone else discarded which I can see potential in or inject energy into.”
In celebration of Sustainability Month, we asked founder Cheryl Ou from The Social Space and The Nail Social to share more about her sustainable businesses and tips on how to live sustainably.
Tell us about The Social Space and how is it making a difference?
Cheryl: The Social Space is a socially conscious multi-concept store, featuring a Tea Bar & Café, a fair trade retail area and a nail salon, all promoting a greater awareness for sustainability, an appreciation for providence, and more accessible conscious living. The mission of The Social Space is also to provide a platform for individuals who face a higher barrier to employment opportunities due to circumstances beyond their control, and equip them with varied skills sets that will allow them self-sufficiency in the long term.
The Social Space hopes to encourage its community to be more socially conscious in their daily lives by walking the talk. From the choice of product we use and sell, to the services we offer, down to the people we hire, The Social Space aspires to dispel the perception that social enterprises offer sub-standard products and service. We aim to showcase high-quality, fair-trade, eco- and socially-conscious products and services that will affect change to you, the community and the planet.
What is your top sustainable tip?
Cheryl: My top sustainable tip is to invest in a reusable water bottle! I never realised how many bottled or can drinks I used to buy and throw away on a daily basis before this, and having a water bottle handy helps me cut down my intake of unhealthy, sugary drinks too.
*Terms & Conditions:
- Not valid on weekends and public holidays
- Not valid in conjunction with other promotions, discounts or vouchers
- Not valid on retail items or salon menu
- Valid till 30th June 2020
- Customers must present a screenshot of this article to be entitled to the promotion