14 Jul Jess Abraham // Eco Kin Series

Posted at 14:23h in Eco Fashion, Eco Kin Series, NEW by
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...for me it's really about checking in with yourself; why am I buying this, do I need that, am I doing this because it's convenient or because it actually aligns with my values?
Tell us a little about yourself and your values?

My name is Jess Abraham, I’m 22 years old and live in Moffat Beach on the Sunshine Coast. Since I was a teenager I’ve been a massive environmental advocate, it’s a really big part of my identity. Responsibility to both people and planet is really important to me and the core ethos of my brand, Tasi Travels.

What does living an “eco-friendly fashion” mean to you? What does this look like in your life?

I think living in an ‘eco-friendly fashion’ ultimately comes down to being conscious in your everyday actions and purchases. I buy all my produce from the farmers markets, it’s a habit passed down to me from my parents and to me that is the way we should eat, I can’t even imagine a time where I would want to buy fruit and vegetables from chain supermarkets. I don’t use single-use plastic (plastic bags, bottles etc) and I am also conscious of the other consumer goods I purchase and how I can reduce the packaging and waste involved. But for me it’s really about checking in with yourself; why am I buying this, do I need that, am I doing this because it’s convenient or because it actually aligns with my values? When we stop to question our actions and actually look at what we are consuming daily, it becomes so simple to see ways to make small changes that can have a huge impact for the environment.

How do you make sure you are being a Conscious Consumer?
I think approaching every thought and action with a little mindfulness allows me to make sure that my consumer decisions are aligned with my values. While I’ve always been pretty switched on when it comes to the kinds of food I eat and where I buy them from, to be completely honest it’s only been the last 18 months that I’ve begun my journey in looking at my consumer choices when it comes to clothing.
I don’t know whether it was naivety or a bit of a head in the sand approach, but I just didn’t know anything about the fast fashion industry and how harmful it is to both people and the environment. Since learning more about this – and actively making a real effort to learn more – I have definitely changed the way I consume clothing. There are so many elements you need to look at when it comes to fashion, but the biggest things I look at when choosing a brand is where it was made & whether I know enough about those conditions, and what the fabric it is made from & whether it’s a natural or synthetic fibre. I also try to stop and check in with myself before purchasing; do I actually need this? Is this something I’m going to get a lot of wear out of? Does it work with other pieces I already have in my wardrobe? Again, it all comes down to being a little more conscious in our decisions and actioning the values we have in our everyday life.
What do you think are the biggest obstacles and challenges for people wanting to slow down and become conscious/responsible as consumers?
Honestly for a lot of people I think it can be the effort, sometimes it can just seem too hard. Why would we want to go and source and spend more money on ethically made clothing when it’s so easy to duck out to the shops and buy the same cheap clothing from that same department store you have been forever?
Cost is an issue for some people, but only because we’ve become so accustomed to low cost goods. There’s a reason that ethically produced clothing has a higher price tag, because it pays everyone in the supply chain fairly and implements practices that don’t harm the environment. There’s a quote by Lucy Siegle that says “fast fashion isn’t free, someone somewhere is paying,” and I think that’s the perfect way of explaining it. It’s not physically possible to buy a dress for $10 and for the people that made that dress to have been paid a living wage, it’s just not. But when you are being more conscious in your decisions and only buying things you need and love, a higher price point is so easy.
I think it can also be human nature, it’s hard to hear that our habits are having such a detrimental effect to people on the other side of the world. It’s extremely confronting, and it’s one of those things that once you hear you can’t unhear, so I think a lot of people can maybe just not want to know, not allow themselves to learn because it means they have to change.

tasi travels- Jess’s ethically & sustainably made women’s travel wear collection

There's a reason that ethically produced clothing has a higher price tag, because it pays everyone in the supply chain fairly and implements practices that don't harm the environment. There's a quote by Lucy Siegle that says ``fast fashion isn't free, someone somewhere is paying,`` and I think that's the perfect way of explaining it.
What are some of the things you do to slow down?

Surfing is my favourite way to slow down. It’s actually one of the only times that I don’t think, I know that sounds weird but I can be out there for a couple of hours and when I leave the water I can’t recall a single thought that passed through my mind during that time. Being in nature is really important to me, and I definitely notice a difference in my mood and energy if there’s a day I’m really busy and don’t get time to go for a walk or dip in the ocean.

Do you have any advice or tips for people wanting to live a slower, more sustainable lifestyle?
I think food and plastic are two of the biggest and easiest things everyone can start with. Shop from your local farmer’s markets, you’ll save so much money and the produce tastes so much better. And straight up ditch the single-use plastic. It’s the 21st century, I don’t understand how we still have plastic bags. Imagine if everyone in the world stopped using them, stopped using plastic bottles and takeaway coffee cups. The world would change overnight, the environmental impact would be felt instantaneously.
In terms of leading a slower life, the last year I have become much more conscious of the way I talk about my life and my work and making sure I’m not glorifying busy. It’s so easy to get caught up in the “busy-ness” of life, but in reality, we create that for ourselves. I’m learning to take more time away from my work, outdoors, reading, surfing, just being really present wherever I am rather than always focusing on the next thing.
How can people find out more about you and your work?

You can check out Tasi via our website tasitravels.com

// or on Instagram @tasitravels

Katie Gannon
info@ecofriendly-fashion.com

After running an ethical fashion label for 5 years, I started this blog in 2007 after learning first hand about the importance of sustainability in fashion design. I am a passionate environmentalist and wish to promote individuals and organisations around the world working on innovative design. I have a BA in Communications / Media as well as a Cert IV in Clothing Production, and run my own graphic design company at www.katiegannon.com

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