Meet Dan, Fashion Activist
Dan is a consultant and teacher with a passion for the environment. His background in travel informs his ideas for making small changes that can have a big impact, and fashion is crucial to this. All of this means he’s a natural fit for our new film. But how can you get involved? Read on to find out, and follow him on Vestiaire Collective: @dpontarlier
Hi Dan, so how do you carry sustainability through into your everyday life?
I upcycle my wardrobe, I recycle, I travel by train whenever possible, and so on. If we all start small, the multiplicator factor could generate a huge impact. A place like Vestiaire Collective is definitely a part of these ‘day by day’ initiatives contributing to a circular economy.
Who’s your favourite sustainable designer and why?
He is not very known for his sustainable dimension, but Jean-Paul Gaultier has always used upcycling in his collections. And the message he sent out at his last show in Paris «There are too many clothes and too many that are never worn.» was a very clear one.
What does being a fashion activist mean to you?
I am not the ‘extreme’ type of activist, but my aim is to reduce consumption as much as possible without losing comfort or spending more. My aim is to create awareness for sustainable fashion and to spread the message about the importance of change; it’s the only way for a better future, or a future at all.
What’s the one action that we can all do to make more sustainable fashion choices?
One of the main things that we can do is upcycling. I'm sure that you have pieces in your closets that you don’t use anymore. We might not have the sewing skills, but there are thousands of ways to get inspiration or even to bring it to a seamstress so they can apply your ideas.