Guests For Change: Stylianee Parascha
Guests For Change: Stylianee Parascha
What is the new normal in fashion?
THE GUESTLIST believes that we are all Guests to this Earth, recognizing that while each of us is here for a limited amount of time, our impacts are not. We aim to path the way towards a more circular future; while understanding that true sustainability is an ongoing journey and can never be considered a final destination.
Within the Guests for Change series, THE GUESTLIST interviews thought leaders, pioneers, visionaries and game-changers to give us more insight into the world of sustainability and circularity. In an exclusive conversation with Stylianee Parascha, we learn about her story, beliefs, and values.
“I decided that a Fashion Revolution was needed in Luxembourg and someone had to start it.” - Stylianee Parascha
Stylianee is the President and Country Coordinator for Fashion Revolution Luxembourg, as well as a Sustainable Fashion Consultant. With a Master’s degree in Cultural Management and Sustainability Studies, Stylianee’s driving force stems from her vision of a sustainable future within the fashion industry.
Originally from Greece and a self-taught fashion designer, Stylianee worked for a forward-thinking brand with a focus on upcycling. Having then moved to Luxembourg, where she has mostly been based for the last decade, she used this knowledge to conduct upcycling workshops and then start the Fashion Revolution movement locally. She says: “I decided that a Fashion Revolution was needed in Luxembourg and someone had to start it.” Fashion Revolution identifies as a global movement with the goal of creating a fashion industry that conserves and restores the environment and values people over growth and profit-seeking cultural, industry, and policy change. You can read and sign their manifesto here.
sustainability in fashion is a multi-faceted concept, and Stylianee believes that different aspects of it appeal to different consumers.
Respecting the planetary boundaries and by doing so protecting both the planet and the people is the general direction of sustainable production and consumption. But, sustainability in fashion is a multi-faceted concept, and Stylianee believes that different aspects of it appeal to different consumers - be it cruelty-free, chemical-free, or fair working conditions, to name but a few. To her, fully implementing all sustainable requirements in clothing or product design is close to impossible - choices need to be made. Stylianee believes that circularity is the way forward.
according to Stylianee, real circularity in fashion starts with design.
Much like sustainability, circularity in fashion is composed of various elements. For instance, consumers can be circular by selling your clothes when you no longer want them and wearing second-hand clothing - extending the life cycle of a garment in both cases. But, according to Stylianee, real circularity in fashion starts with design.
Designers need to design with circularity in mind and design clothing to have a “second life”, modular design, so that garments can be taken apart and recycled properly. “It is up to the designer to come up with creative ideas for consumers to keep products longer,” she states. One more essential step is a “take-back system,” introduced by brands, as well as raising awareness or else just conscious marketing for all the above to catch up with consumers. “Consumers are not aware you need to recycle clothing like they are with paper and bottles” - and with brands and shops helping to introduce this to their clients, it can become more commonplace.
To Stylianee, “Fashion is cool, and sustainable fashion needs to be cool too.”
To Stylianee, “Fashion is cool, and sustainable fashion needs to be cool too.”
She identifies that the simple way to do this is to make people realise that you can be stylish by wearing things for longer periods of time. Wearing an item just for one Instagram photo is not cool anymore. Still, she believes that the most essential thing to do is to start the discussion on fashion and conscious consumption/production. People do not always relate the fashion industry to chemicals, toxicity, poor labor practices, and animal cruelty. But they can relate to restyling their existing clothing. As such, starting the conversation and providing easy alternatives first is the way in.
"I just want to make people think more. I don't think I will make them change. But I want there to be a seed to grow."
Stylianee speaks about “our grandparents’ time'' where there was no mass production, and less clothing in the world. This was a time when clothes were worn for longer, loved, and cherished. The more expensive the pieces, the better their quality - fast fashion was not invented yet back then. And treating fashion items as precious and not disposable is a key principle of sustainable fashion. Stylianee considers circularity as a longer-term goal. She recognizes that there is a long way ahead of us and that there is more discussion than action at the moment, but, she envisions a different world of fashion in 10 years time. A lover of nature herself, she worries that if we don’t start making changes the planet and nature might not look exactly like paradise, but rather like an unwanted dystopia.
Moving forward, she believes that sustainable fabrics are important and that their resale will go up, particularly with luxury items. This is because luxury items are made to last, they are of high quality. She likes the idea of limited collections and pieces, such as with THE GUESTLIST, and the opportunity to feel unique and not look like everybody else. Much like THE GUESTLIST’s philosophy of collaboration over competition, she believes that to move forward all industries have to align themselves. It’s no longer just about the fashion industry, everyone needs to work hand in hand in order for real change to occur.
Watch the full conversation by clicking on the video below.
Continue the conversation and comment below what your favorite parts of sustainable fashion are.
Leave a comment