I became interested in sustainable fashion during my college career when I found myself paying closer attention to the fast fashion industries I was investing so much money into. It was very common for my friends and I to go out shopping once a month or so and pick up new and trendy pieces. After some time, I began to question why the clothes were so affordable and how the companies were able to produce new collections so rapidly. Thus began my interest in the realm of sustainable fashion.
By Alia Ansari
Student Bachelor of Arts in International Studies DePaul University
When on the go, most of us have a "go to" style of handbag we end up using time and time again, in spite of owning many more. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, if that "go to" style is comfortable, versatile and fashion forward. The problem is most of us stop at comfortable and tend to ignore the other two!! We end up looking exactly the same every day, unintentionally sporting a "uniform" and loosing all sense of style.
Here is where I'd like to introduce the Wayúu Mochila.
Being a migrant is something a huge slice of the world population share, even when the reasons for becoming one are not. It takes a huge desire or need for change to uproot yourself and move to another country, where your customs, the weather and language are different than yours, you look different than most anyone else and even the smallest tasks like pumping gas are not done the way you've learned. Not to mention, leaving family and friends behind... what's familiar to you.
Then why do it?
Ahhh... the holidays! Whimsical time for family, great food, reunion, a touch of magic and lots of love. And with them, holiday shopping!
Depending on where we live in the world and which culture we adhere to (as well as your budget), your gift giving list can be as short as one or as long as every human being you have crossed paths with for the last 5 years. Even for anti-shopping personalities, the task doesn't have to be daunting and we can help the world we live in by giving sustainable gifts! So, where to start?
Traditions past down from generations are valued in all cultures, families and ethnicities. Most of us value that which identify us as part of a group, with deep roots to plant ourselves to the world and relate to. Being Colombian, but specially "costeña" or from the Caribbean coast, I grew up very close to a few indigenous tribes like the Aruhacos and the Wayuu. Those are only two of the over 100 tribes in Colombia alone. Being able to work directly with the Wayuu I feel a strong sense of responsibility in bringing awareness to how our products are made, not only in technique but also the human artisan behind them. Here is the story of how a rough journey...
